The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-02-10

sent to being defrauded, while the agents
and others connected with the Indian
service DO not always. escape the prevail
ing contamination. Among the Menom-
onees the fa.al tendency and effect of
such occurrences may be seen in the In
temperate and demoralized habits and
condition Of Osh Kosh, principal chief,
and many others of the tribe.
"But the evil is general and growing
one, formidable in its combinations, ami
alarming in. lis results, and therefore re-
quiring the speedy application of the most
radical and effectual remedy. All exec
utory contracts. of every kind and de-
scription, made by Indian tribes or bands,
with claim agents, attorneys, traders, or
other persons, should be declared by law
null and void, and an agent, interpreter,
or other person, employed in. or in any
way connected with the Indian service,
guilty of participation in transactions of
the kind referred to, should be instantly
dismissed and expelled from the Indian
country; and all such attempts to injure
and defraud the Indians, by whomsoever
made or participated in, should be penal
ofenses, punishable by fine and impris-
onment. We have now penal laws to
protect the Indians in the secure and un-
molested possession of their lands, and
also from demoralization by the introduc-
ton of liquor into their country and the
obligation is equally strong to protect
them in similar manner from the wrongs
and injuries of such attempts to obtain
possession of their funds.
"In this connection / deem it appro-
pirate to respectfully remark, that where,
as is sometimes the case, lass are passed
providing for the payment of large sums
of money for alleged obligations arising
in this branch of the public service, with
out the department having an opportunity
of examining into, or passing upon, the
accounts and other evidences of such
claims, the effect is to deprive it of that
saiutary control over the important inter-
ests committed to its charge, which is so
necessary to successful administration
of its affairs; and it can not, and should
not, in such cases, be held responsible
for the consequences.
The difficulties which hinder the civ
ilization of the Indians, are numerous
and discouraging. Their living in the
wilderness, their aversion to labor, their
debased condition-which is wonderful
in race capable of such noble character
as is sometimes displayed-their wars
with ncighboring tribes, their proneness
to fall victims to the whisky trade, their
intercourse with other unprincipled white
and negro people, and la.terly their un-
settled sta.e in many tribes, from the
streams of emiglants passing through
their old hunting grounds, and the influx
of new settlers, with their pre-empion
claims" and their high-sounding names
of great cities-on paper. Among these,
we regret to find one projected under cir
cumstances by no means creditable to the
parties concerned in it. Sure we are that
but very few. we hope no others. of the
officers of our army could have acted in
the way here described. And We are
| glad to see that these lawless proceedings
meet with no favor.
Gas heretofore reported to you, an as
sociation of persons has undertaken to
appropriate to their own use portion OF
the land ceded by the Delawares, 'front.'
inc on the Missouri river, and south OF
Fort Leavenworth, have laid out city
thereon, and actually lad public sale Of
the lots of the same on the Oh and 10Th
of October last. These unlawful pro-
eeedings have not only taken place under
the eyes of the military officers stationed
at the fort, bus two of them are said to be
members of the association, and have
been active agents in this disereditable
business. Encouraged by these proceed
ings, and promp.ed by those engaged in
them, other persons have gone on other
portions of the tract ceded by the Dela.
wares in trust to the United Safes, and
pretend to have made, and are now max
ing, such claims as they assert will vest
in them the lawful right to enter the land
at the minimum price under the pre-emp'
ton law of July 22, 1854.
"Is is well understood that these par
ties can acquire no title to the lands thus
"elaimed." They must be sold at pub
lie sale to the highest bidder. and the
stipulaEioas of the treaty complied with
in good faith and the government should
at once interpose its authority, and expe
all who are trespassing on the Delaware
eession. The effect has already been In
furious to the peace of the Delawares
and it is due to them that such promp
and unmistakable action be had as vii
assure them that the United States vii
keep its faith. The Indians should, un
der 10 circumstances, be permitted tt
become dispirited, or to lose conhdenes
in the public authorities; for if they do
all efforts to ciyilize them, or to improve
their condition, must be unayailing. Pro,
crastination or delay in this case will IN
duce Others to trespass on the similar ces'
sions made by the Iowas and kaskaskia'
and others, if not upon the homes reserv
ed by these asd other Indians" z
This is one of the diseouraging thing:
in the condition of the Indians-their be
ing thus ..pashed out of the way in De
fance of right, by selfish men. who's
only argument is-they are the stronger
But this too shall have an end. And tbs
case of these poor children of the forest
these true natives of the country, mus
not be considered hopeless. Striking
examplesof theeiEilizationof some tribes
through Christian agency, should rebuk'
our want Of faith in the elevation of 9th
er tribes. The gospel has lost none Q
lis power to eiyilize the savage; and th'
kind Providence that often preeedes tho
gospel is at work, IS we confidently hope
for the good of these poor remnants of
once poHerfulrace. Ii will cheer al gooS
men 10 sead the pist and humane sentl
ments expressed In this reports doea
ment.laid before our national Congress
with the appreciation OF the Secretary o
the Interior. and under the sanction o
our Chief Magistrate. In Illustration o
this, we make room for another extract
. 4 Al, I'D 1ar-1