Nebraska palladium. [volume] (Bellevieu City, Neb.) 1854-1855, 1855-03-07
INDIAN ANSUITLEs

III Our last issue, we made i few brief
remarks respecting the kind Of annuiries
most suit~blc 70 besiow upon our Indian
tribes in payment Of their dues.
II was stated that after having given
them implements Of labor and instruction
necessary 10 enable them 10 use them, and
10 regard each others rights, the remain
der should be paid in money.
Contrary 10 the opinions Of many, In
dians understand the value of money, and
know how TO make good bargains. They
know what they need to eat, drink and
wear, and as a general thing, if they have
the money, they can procure what they
need at d reasonable price.
We propose 10 give a few illustrations
OF the result of paying tie Indians their
annuit les in goods, instead Of money.
Thefrst instance occurred last summer.
in the payment Of annui.ies due the Otoes.
Omahas and Pawnees. Several hundred
dollars being due these tribes, early in he
spring, they depended on its arrival for
their supply of food and outfit for their
summer hunt. But in vain. One boa,
after another made ITS appearance at Belle
vlew' without the promised supplies
ireighted only with fresh disappointment,
ana distress, instead Of relief. Under
these circumstances, despair took the place
Oi hope, and urged our Indian tribes into
a course Of depreciation and crime. CT
ule' sheep and swine belonging 10 citizens
and emigrants, fell a prey 10 ape ties,
sharpened by a sense Of injustice, hunger
and disappointment.
Our friends in Iowa and Nebraska. be.
sides numerous emigrants through the In
dian country, can testify to The large a.
mount Of tribute drawn from them in con-
sequence Of the failure Of Govern ment in
paying its stipulated dues to the Indians
at the time they were expected and need.
ed. Nor was property the only loss that
was suffered. Several lives were sacri-
iced in defense of the rights and propert,
OF citizens and emigrants.
We have reason to conclude thai If The
annuity due the Indians last spring. had
have been paid them in money before the
arrival Of the spring emigration, the
endless annoyances and losses to which
we have suffered, would never have taken
place.
Government might have paid this an
nuiiy at any time and with much less
trouble in money than in provisions. The
money was here in the country, and here
was a plenty Of provisions in store, from
when their wants could have been sup
piled il 1.-THE means had been provided.
The amount Of property, to say nothing
Of the lives lost in consequence of delay
ing the payment of the Indians last spring.
was at leas', five times as great as the a.
mount then due, if not more If tie ex-
peeted annuity had have been PAID at the
proper time, most Of he difficulties, sur
fering and losses to which we have allud-
ed would have been avoided.
The Indians ia daily expectation Of their
supplies, waited three or four weeks for
them, after they should have started upon
their summer hunt, and finally started OIL
without them. The hunt proved to be a
successful one. Buffalo, deer and ell
were found in abundance, and in an unu-
saally short lime they were enabled to Sc
cure as mech as they needed. On their
return home, they found their corn-felds
loaded with an abundant supply Of golden
corn, and in no need of an extraordinary
supply OF provisions. A. tins period, the
provisions expected, and greatly needed
before The hunt, came 70 hand bat in the
mean time, the necessity for their being
paid TT all had passed awsy-the Indians
had got provisions enough for their pres
e1t wants, and having no raeans Of taking
care Of any mere, could not receive Them
aud take care Of them against Q time Of
need, without great inconvenience and
Iass. Ills well kn0wnfo most Of our readers
iiai Indians 'liye from hand to nou.h,