Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-01-14
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER.


Of Indian Affairs lately laid before Congress- that during
the past year peace and tranquility have prevailed ge-
nerally among the emgrated and other Indian tribes
along the extensive frontiers, from Lake Superior
and our northern boundary to Texas with whom we have
conventional relations and intercourse of long standing
and that in regard to those more remote and
Gently brought under the supervision Of the Department
fewer of painful nature have been reported
than might have been anticipated.
The whole number Of Indians within our limits is es-
mated at 100000. About Is 900 yet lnger in of
the States Of the Mississippi GEOGRAPHICALLY in
New York, Michigan, and Wisconsin, the remainder,
consisting Of Cherokees Choctaws aud Semnoles being
in North Carolina, Mississippi, and Florida.
The number in Minnesota and along the frontiers Of the
Western States to Texas comprising mainly emigrated
tribes Is estimated at 10000; those of the plains and
Rocky Mountains and not within any Of our organized
Territories at 000 those in Texas at 30 600; those
in New Mexico $4,000 those in California at 100000
those in Utah 000 and those in the Territories Of
Oregon and Washington at $4,000.
The unfortunate and distractng controversy for some
time existing among the Seneca Indians of New York. in
regard to their form government happily to have
terminated; the republican system, adopted by the ma
ory in ls4S, being apparently now acquesced in by the
remainder by whom II long and strenuousy opposed
The dictates humanity and good policy alike require
the early and effective nterposon Of the Government
in respect TO the Indians Of Michigan These Indians
thousand in number, represented to be
divided into than sixty separate communities and
TO be found in nearly every county Of the State.
Many Of them being without any settled places of habi
taton, and gradually mbbing the worst vices Of ciyza
ton becoming yitiated and degraded, pest and
nuisance to the negborhoods where they resort In this
unsettled dispersed, and otherwise unfavorabe cond
ton nothing be done to reclaim and improve them
Those Of their fortunate brethren who have enjoyed
the advantages Of fixed locations present much
favorable aspect Most Of them have comfortable homes
and under the influence of the devoted efforts of several
Christian denominations, gradually improving and
acquiring the habits and tastes of civilized life. By
provision Of the State constitution they entitled to
citizenship becoming qualified therefor by intelligence
and good character and abandoning their tribal connex
ion and numbers have manifested proper appreciation
Of this high privilege and laudable ambition to fit them
selves for il.
K portion Of the united tribes of Stockbrdges and
Nunsees OF Wisconsin are under treaty obligations
emate west of the Mississippi river but their removal
has necessarily been delayed from want of adequate
means TO defay the expense thereof and of their
subsistence.
In ls4S the Meaomonees ceded their entire country in
Wisconsin, and agreed another stipulated to
be given them in Minnesota west Of the Mississippi.
From this obligation they exempted by the late Pre-
sdent Of the United States the ground of the insult
ability Of the country intended for them and, with
the appreciation OF the proper authorities Of Wisconsin,
they assigned and removed remote portion of
the extensive tract which they had ccdsd, embracing
about 345, 600 The information in possession Of
the Department leads to the conclusion that this location
is in all respects, suitable for them and that they
probably remain there for many years without nerfe-
with the advancement interests Of the white
pulaton
The Oneidas of Wisconsin, have permanent location
near Green Bay, where they will probably remain and
eventually become citizens the tribe of Brohertowns
has DONE The only other Indians in the State consist
Of few bands Of those known the Chppewas Of Lake
Superior still living lands heretofore ceded to the
United States hut where it has been thus far deemed
per to permit them to remain for materially
affecting their preservation and welfare.
The large and popuous tribe of Chppewas the great
body OF whom are in Minnesota, still extensive
tract Of country east Of the Mississippi of which,
count Of it's great mineral wealth. i, viii become
ry 70 obtain possession at early day. Their lands
west Of the Mississippi sufficiently ample for the whole
tribe and their concentration there would be arrange
ment advantageous both to them and the Government.
The country assigned TO the Winnebngoes by the treaty
Of lS46 in the region Of the headwaters Of the Msssp
p proved to be not altogether suitable. The new oca-
ton fixed upon which s further south than their
country is objected is understood, the ground Of
its bringing them the white settlements and its
close proximity TO the Mississippi river is believed to be
preudcia to the interests Of the Indians The Depart
has not yet determined whether these objections are
sufficiently well founded justify the rejection of this ar
rangement
dans parties to the treaties Of July 2Sd and August
1851 s peculiar unfortunate and to them must ulti
pately prove extremely injurious
No time should be lost in determining upon some final
and permanent arrangement in regard to them.
The tribes Of the Upper Missouri agency with the ex-
oeption Of the Blackfee are represented as generally
quiet aud psaceable Such Of them parties TO the
treaty OF For. Laramie have maintained, with but
single exception friendly relations among themselves and
manifested increasing confidence in and kindness to-
wards the whites Rome Of the Indians in this agency
raise corn, beans, pumpkins &c., to limited extent but
rely principally the hunt for their support. The
amendments Of the Senate OF the Oath Of May 1852, to
the h article Of the treaty Of Fort Laramie prompt
y assented to by such of the tribes the agent had
ferred with, and there is doubt but that the others will
readily do when he has opportunity OF seeing the
they being absent the time OF his arrival in their
try on their usual hunts.
The general condition of the Indians within the limits
of the Council Bluff agency is encouraging The oma
has represented having raised enough last
them through the winter and by judcious application
of the money paid them by Government THIS season, IL is
thought they to great extent be saved from suffering
The Otoes and Mssourias confederate tribe, in
state of abject poverty. Reduced by combination Of
and perhaps neglect the part Of the Gov
ernment, they are indeed objects Of pity.
The Pawnees are also in a destitute condition. Their
number does not exceed half Of what il did four
years ago. The Indians of this agency like ali others,
indulge in the of intoxicating liquor when they
obtain it, and unfortunately the tribes first named
are, from the location Of their villages, free from
the temptation.
The lfbreeds located between the Great and Little
Femaha rivers, and numbering, including their families.
about sixty souls have made considerable advance
in civilization.
The Ioways have many advantages, but they have not
proftably availed themselves or them lndolence and
vice predominate By the recently taken they
number only four hundred aud thirty seven.
The Sacs and Foxes Of Missouri reside upon the
tract Of land with the Ioways. Their condition, how
is rather better but the remarks in relation 10 the
loways are to considerable extent applicable 10 the
Sacs and Foxes. a...
The Kickapoos are more avanee than any other tribe
,v H. A.. NJ