The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-01-22
INDIAN RELATIONS.

ring the past year, have been large and i'm.
portant, embracing very great extent Of
country, and nearly all the Indians within
the boundaries of the United States. With
the exception of few tribes, the Indians
have been well disposed, and anxious to eul
tivate and preserve friendly relations with us.
Several important treaties have been made,
and others equally SO will soon be ready for
submission to the Senate. Those already in
force are numerous and of varied character.
Many of them contain Objectionable provis-
ions and stipulations, which the Government
was compelled to insert at the Indians own
urgent solicitation, being the production Of
the vicious influences which too often surround
them on treaty occasions. 1t therefore re-
quircs great care and wisdom 10 execute them
properly. Every excrtion has been made to
effect this, and though as much has not been
accomplished as was desirable, yet it is hoped
a better state of things has been introduced.
The late Commissioner of the General
Land Office was deputed to join the Superin-
tenclcrt of Indian Affairs in Wisconsin, in or
der that his superior knowledge of the land
system might be made available in the settle
ment of the various and complicated questions
involved with the Stockbridge and Munsce
Indians. A supplemental treaty was made
with them, which has since been disapproved
by the Superintendent, and Immediately af-
ter it was executed, by the Commissioner,
for reasons contained in his able report, here
with transmitted. Although persuaded that
all was done that could be under the circum-
stances then existing, yet from perusal of
the treaty and report, and other reliable in
ed beneficial either to the Government or the
Indians, and therefore renewed efforts arc be-
ing made to arrange more satisfactorily the
pending difficulties.
In order to adjust the unsettled matters
existing between the United States and the
Choctaws and Chickawasaws, and also be-
tween these two tribes, a tripartitc treaty was
made early in the past Summer, which, if
asscnted to by the councils of these tribes,
and ratified by the Senate, will produce much
good in that section of the Indian country
Besides allaying the anxiety and removing
the embarrassments that have 80 long distur-
ed and distracted these intelligent nations, it
will open up a large portion Of the Choctaw
territory for the introduction and permanent
location of the Southern Camanches, Wichi-
tas and other Southwestern tribes.
The law makes provision for the survey, in
Kansas Territory, of Indian lands under the
treaties of 1854; and where the net proceeds
of the lands ceded are authorized to be paid
over to the Indians, or such part thereof as
he may deem proper, to be valued and class
flied; and, when such valuation and classif-
cation shall have been made to his satisfaction
to cause such lands to be offered at public sale,
by legal subdivisions or town lots, at such time
and places, and in such manner and quantity,
as to him shall appear proper and nessary to
carry out faithfully the stipulations in said
treaties | am advised that nearly all the
have been completed, and that
the sales may be ordered to take place during
the early part Of the next Spring. Good faith
and sound policy require that the treaty stip-
ulations be strictly adhered to.
Many of the Texas Indians are being gath
cred on tho reservations set apart in that
State for them, and are conducting themscl-
yes with marked propriety. These reserva-
tions arc too small; still, for a time, they may
answer good purpose. 1t may he proper
for Congress to extend over thcm the laws
trade and intercourse with the In
dians, as their application may be found nee
essary.
The Indian agents are instructed to reside
among the tribes, 50 az to be constantly
present to advise and aid them. 1t is often
impossible to ascertain whether the instruc-
tions are faithfully complied with, owing to
the rcmoteness of the agencies. The rule,
however, has thus far operated well, and will
it is believed, be of much service to the In
dians. My own opinion is, that it would be
far better to have fewer agents and to give
a compensation to each suitable to the condi-
ton and circumstances of his position so as
to bring into rcquisition the character, ability
and peculiar fitness SO much required.
The distance of the Indian Bureau from
the different tribes of Indians is so great that
it is very difficulty to obtain correct
information about them, more especially
where the agents are careless or remiss in the
of their duties. The present COM
missioner has visited many of the, at much
but by SO doing has acquired
a good deal Of useful information. l believe
it would be advantageous to the Indians and
the Government to provide for an officer, to
be attached to the bureau, whose duty it
should be to visit the supcrintcndcnts, agents
and tribes, examine into all their affairs, and
make such general and detailed reports as
would enable the Office to correct abuses, and
submit such suggestions as, ifadoptcd, would
have tendency to ameliorate the condition
Of the Indians.
The facility with which many Of the Chiefs
headmen and warriors are overcome by the
to which they are subjected, and
thus induced to sign important papers without
their object or purport, has
been productive of much evil. They are not
generally correct but become the supple tools
Of cunning, designing men. Indians are
addicted to drinking and gambling, and these
passions are ministcrcd to by many Of tho
traders and cvil-disposed persons. The cash
system of payments is the root Of most of the
evils that befall them. To abolish it has been
the constant effort Of tho Department; but
It's success has been only partial, owing TO the