The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-05-08

gotiated u Detroit. treaties wlth two Indian
tribes In Michigan, tbe Ott0was and Chippe-
; was. These treaties hsve recently hesn rstihed
by the Senate Of the United States. Their
principal provisions are the same as those In
: corporatod 10 the Chippewa treaties, negotia'
Q ted at Warrington, 10 The winter Of 1888.
II j. provided that every head Of family. or
single person over twcpty-oDc years Of age
v uny select a orrtain smGInt Of land which is
!" 10 be secured to him M his OVID individual
> property, restricted only in the power to alien
= ate OF dispose Of.
: In this provision undoubtedly lics the main
hope for the civilization 81 the Indians II DE-
stroys the cornmonaliiy u property and d To-
, Dor, and will fxcs thc lp,Ian to become more
and more indisidualized. and 10 acquire def
mite and correct notions Of the value Of proper
; ~, and 81 the importance OF labor and econ.
, oDry.
Il has heretofore been stated. 10 our paper,
that among tbs Chippewas, Of Minnesota, the
provisions of the treaties made IN Washington,
securing 10 zach head 81 n family and Indian
over twcnty-oDe years Of age, u certain amount
81 land 10 his Tor herr individual right, had
been productive of beneficial results. The re-
port Of Agent TfgRaNAs to the Indian De
Published in the Executive documents, trans.
mittcd 20 Copgrcss,j furnishes some interesting
facts IN reference to the condition Of the Chip.
pewas. and aso Just and deserved commcuta
~ upon the policy Of the present Commissioner
OF Indian Affairs. We quote from the report
n Msjer IIsHxsAsi
One, and perhaps the greatest. hindranoe to
the advancement II the Indians in civilization
J. Il the frequent changes in general policy pur
4 sued towards them by the government the
frequent removals that have heretofore been
repaired u them have retarded very much their
advancement; allowing large sums of money
n yearly. To employ Il number 81 mechanics nj
y obe rgcDcy has tended TO confirm the Indian
!, in bic naturally INDECENT habits. The system
ii education gciisruily prscticetf nhiohg the in
= dian tribes, educating them from books, rather
C than 10 the workshops. has been source Of evil
h rather than good
Tho policy Of the present Commissioner Of
Indian Affairs which, IL steadily pursued, Is one
which will do more towards civiiixlng the In
dian tribes than any that has previously been
:. alopted by tbs government. Already 1t has
been stteu,lcd with the most beneficial results
y y, least ~ far ~ the Chippewas 0f Mississippi
J are concerned. Permitting the tribes to ne.
\ ect small tracts Of land, Sufficient ohen AIDE
!. qu tcly cultivated TO support them Independent
Of their annuities, II hushanded confirming u
!, them the titl@ ia these reservations; breaking
Y for them on these reservations sufficient land "a
If give them practical illustration Of tho advan
iage of the white mans methol Of cutivating
the soil; compelling them, II they would save
their crops, 10 do their own fenc,ng: furnishing
them with juat sufficient help O., teach them
|, whca. how, and what use to 10. OF soed--
!. Such H.. IN part, tho policy u the present
. Coumiasioncr. ~ portrayed In the late treaty
4 with tho Chippewa Indians, and to II the CHIEF
subscribe with hearty good will; feeling that
. now. for the tirs, time since their intercourse
= with the government commenced that they
have land which they Gun call their own, with.
oui the conN,an, lenr Of soon being called upon
" 10 remove from H.
Hole in thepay. the leading chief has Sc,
, them Iaudablc example IN farming ncar
{ The agency, piece Of land, containing
about sixty acres. had been broken and partial
" fenced upon this peace OF land, after his NJ.
turn from Washington. he resolved 10 work
, and with such industry and perseverance, did
! he labor that during the payment he was en-