Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-08
Report Of tho Commissioner OF Indian
AnaiYs.

Col Manypenny Commissioners Of Indian Affairs
In his annual report sets forth many facts Of inter
est and shows that the operations OF his depart
ment during the year have been exceedingly large
The Indians Ia Nebraska and Kansas have ceded
to the United States Government nearly fifteer
millions Of acres of land. The Indians however
have caught some Of the white mans spirit, and
they demand higher price than usual for the lane
Ia Kansas. They only agreed to give up these
lands under pledge that they should have re
serve for a permanent home.
There Is trouble with the Indians ON the Arkan
and Platte rivers and il appears that while the
agent Is seeking them to present amendments e
treaties, they are quietly shooting down emigrant'
and robbing traders The Commissioner thinks
something should be done for these misguided peo
pie but acknowledges that he cannot say what the
something" should be, but suggests Kindness and
peaceful attempts 10 colonize them.
The Commissioner gives some valuable informa
ton relative to the Choctaws, Chickasaws, Greeks
and Seminoles, and he also suggests that no more
removals Of Indian tribes shall take placethat h.
that the reserved lands given them by government
shall be secured to them and their heirs forever.
We quote the concluding remarks Of the re-
port:
!" In carrying out all the plans heretofore devised
for ameoating the condition Of the aborigines o.
our continent difficulties have arisen and obstacles
presented themselves on every side; and 1t scems
impossible now to devise any means for attaining
these desirable ends, by which all difficulties could
be obviated, all obstacles avoided.
But partial success has attended the labors Of
the benevolent and the efforts Of the department
when most faithfully directed have not unfrequent
ly proved positive injury. Adverse elements
have always been at work to thwart the wishes oil
the government, and counterfeit the labors Of the
phianthropst, and these have unfortunately been
but too often successful. Our former policy, and
the nvetcrate determination of the Indian to resist
domestcation, have combined to place him in q
situation where the lawess and unprinciplcd could
always have access to him and such persons have,
through all periods of our history, availcd them
selves Of every opportunity to advise the ignorant
and unlettered child of the forest against his best
interests, and have but too successfully instied
into their minds prejudices against those who were
laboring for his good
"Thus have the mercess and heartless followed
in his path, iattered his vanity, corrupted his mo-
rails, impressed upon and confirmed him in the be-
lief that labor and the arts OF peace are degrading
and his submission TO them offensive to the Great
Spirit and directed and controlled his action, and
made him the victim Of their avarice.
. Such influences are believed to be as formula
BILE and more INSCRIPTIONS than at any former pc
riod of our history and when we add to them the
train of ever-recurrng and neverending difficulties
that beset the path Of the weaker in the battle Of
life with the stronger race, we perceive, in the
present condition Of the red man. and the dangers
that encompass him. additional motives to call into
active exercise in his behalf all the energies of the
benevolent and good of the land.
As Christian government and people, our OBJ
legations and duties of the highest and hottest
character, and we are accountable to the Maker of
all men for the manner in which we discharge
them. Having faithfully employed all the means
placed within our reach to improve the Indian race
and preserve it from extinction, we can, with a
good conscience and strong faith, leave the issue
in the hands Of our Common Father"