New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-08
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REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OE
INDIAN AFFAIRS.

The remnants of the Six Nations remaining in the
State of New York present the Interesting spectacle
of one of the most renowned portions Of the aboriginal
race of this continent, st ad5ering with traditional
tenscty and veneration 20 the homes OF their fore
fathers Subjected To many trying and adverse vicis-
situdes by which their numbers ard territorial pos
sessions have been greatly diminished this once bar
barous and heather people, devoted only to wer AMI
the chase, have Undergone gratifying change and
now generally acknowledge, and partially practice
the more enrolling ard beneficial principles and pur
suits of christianity ard civilization Internal Olsen.
sions have materially inteTered with t1eir ADVANCE
ment and welfare but these, il il hoped will all soon
cease, and never thereafter be renewed.
The peculiar and unfortunate situation OF the In
diaDs in the STATE Of Michigan, consisting mainly of
the coniederated bands of Ottawas and Chipps vas,
has been fully stated heretofore, and the measure
deemed best foi their preservation and welfare sag
gesttd. II is requisite that there be new cOnven.
tiona arrangements with them, providing for maze
rial changes in their ars and in their relations with
the United States aud the State Of Michigan. Sub
arrangements couli not be efec.ef without more or
less expense; and on the application of toe ID part
ment, the sum Of 100000 was appropriated therefor
by Congress But in consequence of the late period
AT which the appropriation made, aud other cir
cumstances il has been deemed advisable 10 post
pone further proceedings until the next yesr.
In the convention with the Menomonees of the
A~lu 4bSl fCN Tl-nt ~ idTSr
tract Of country in Minnesota west Of the Mississippi
River, set apart for their permanent home by the
treaty Of ls4s, but which proving 10 be unsuitable
Tor that purpose, was therefore uuacce)tible for
them. 10 exchange therefor, they were confirmed in
The possession OF portion of tho tract the Wolf
and Oconto Rivers in Wisconsin, which with the a.
cent Of the authorities Of that State had besn assigned
Tor their use, and 10 which they hid removed. The
aci granted them by the treaty Of ls4s was guaran
leed 10 contsin not less than six hundred thousand
acres; that secured to them by the convention Of
May last embraces only two hundred and seventy-six
thousano four hundred and eighty acres. and is
deemed 20 be more than ample for their comfortable
accommodation. The lands retroceded by them
though not suitable for their purposes will he e1uAIy
valuable to the Government ii uot mora 40 tbs,
those granted IN exchange.
In consideration Of the great difference In the ou.n
titles of the lands thus exchanged AMI becapss was
believed that the consideration stimulated fos ,ho
lands they have been induced TO cese Inv ,hs 49,.
is5 was inadequate in addition to she pecuusry and
other beneficial provisions Of that treaty which were
continued 10 them the sum Of ESQ 900 wa .t;ons
lated to be pai In fifteen annual nsts,ments com.
nsacipg with ths yesr 1897, when The payments IN