Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-11-18


ascertain their assent to such Of the provisions of the
act required cooperation; the confederacy not
to take effect until the Choctaw Creek, and Chero-
kee tribes had given their consent. Other tribes
were permitted to join.
The seveata provided for Council of twenty four
members, to be formed from the tribes giving their
consent, to be elected by the respective tribes;
whose duty it should be to make all necessary re-
gulations respecting intercourse among the several
tribes, to preserve peace, put stop to hostities
punish offences, &c. all regulations to be submit
ted to the Governor for his approval The Governor
to have power to convene and adjourn the said
Councils.
The eighth provided that all officers and persons
in the service of the United States and all travellers
to be under the protection of and subject to the
laws Of the United States Modes Of trial were also
designated.
The ninth directed the manner Of trying offend
ers for murder, &c. the sentence of the chiefs to
be carried into effect unless the Governor suspended
to ascertain the pleasure of the President.
The tenth empowered the Governor to provide
against and repel aggressions Of one tribe upon
another.
The eleventh provided that, in order to encourage
the said tribes and to promote their advancement
in the arts Of civilized life, they should be admitted
to full participation of the privileges enjoyed by
the American people, and elect delegate to Con-
gress with the powers and privileges Of delegates
from other Territories.
The tpelfM provided that every tribe should have
direction of the expenditure Of the annuity for edu
cation, under the superintendent Of the Governor.
The thirteenth provided for the regulation of the
trade and intercourse between the United States and
the several tribes
The fourteenth provided for the employment Of
the military force of the United States to arrest and
detain offenders when necessary, and enforce the
judgments Of the proper tribunals.
The fifteenth directed that nothing contained in
the act should be construed as authorizing the vio
laton Of any existing treaty between the United
States and any of the Indian tribes nor as binding
the United States to any tribe which should not be-
come member Of the proposed confederacy further
than they are bound by their treaties with such
/ tribes.
The bill was not acted upon during that session,
but at the next session, February 2lst 1885, twas
called up by Mr. GILaER, of Georgia, and discuss
ed, Mr.. ADAMS expressing doubts of its constitu-
tionality. No vote was taken upon the merits Of
the bill and the subject has not since been acted
upon as far as we recollect. The philanthropic
movement Of Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Arkansas, to carry
out the policy foreshadowed, will it is to be hoped,
be among the prominent topics Of the coming session
Of Congress
In connexion with the foregoing, it may be of in
terest to refer to Report made in February 1884,
by Board Of Commissioners of Indian Affairs ap-
pointed to negotiate with the Indians west of the
Mississippi
The Commission consisted Of MoaTfoRT STOKES, HENRY
L. ELLswoRrH and J. I. ScHERMRRHoRs. These gentle
men spent much time among the Indians and had full
opportunities for observation. They represented both
the climate and soil good generally though necessarily
presenting mnch diversity, extending through ten de-
/ grees Of latitude. The soil is such as is generally
| found in the States bordering on the Mississippi
On the Kiamecha mountains there is winter grass
that will always sustain the stock in that part Of the
country in winter if the fires kept out of the woods
The same may also be the in other parts of the
country There also vast prares that extend through
the country in various directions, and of oil diversity OF
SOIL from the best aluvia and good upland to the gra-
vey ridges and barren sand hills These prairies are
4
they generally limestone SOIL springs OF water have
been found and others may yet be discovered"
In regard to the physical Of the country,
| though game was then abundant, the Commissioners
thought the Indians must matter of necessity rely
upon agriculture It would produce abundantly all the
varieties Of grain vegetables and agricultural products
which raised in the States Of the attudes east
Of the Mississippi and the Atlantic coast 1t is de-
scribsd region very favorable to sheep raising the
pasture and meadow lands costing the settlers nothing
| sThe Commissioners are persuaded that situation
could have been selected for the location of the Indians
happily adapted than this to effect their civilization
by transition from the hunter to the pastoral life, and
by gradually introducing among them agriculture and
the useful arts and by giving them intellectual, moral
and religious instruction This is not matter merely
of conjecture but Of sober reality tested by what has
| already been DONE"
An example then stated taken from the experience
of the Cherokees.
The Commissioners urged that " the removal Of the
Indians from the east to the west of the Mississippi has
not had anticipated by some, deleterious and
dscouraging influence 1t has stimulated them to ac-
tion, and their condition has been greatly improved.
And they predict that the removal will prove the great
est blessing that been conferred upon the red
men Of the wilderness by any nation since the discovery
Of America"
The Commissioners in referring to the best means of
preserving peace, give their opinion that the dragon
corps just such military force the peculiar situa
ton Of the Indian country and the public service re-