The daily union., 1856-12-12
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF IN
DIAN AFFAIRS.
DEPARTMENT oP THE INTERIOR,
OFFICE INDIAN AFFAIRS,


q. OFFICE INDIAN AFFAIRS,
| November 22 1885,
SIR: have the honor 10 submit for your consideration
the usual annual report from this office, and for minute
details of the operations of the service and the condition OF
the Indian tribes refer you TO the various accompanying
reports and other papers.
The improvement in the condition Of the New York In
dians though gradual is very perceptble. The farms,
buildings crops and stocks and the substantial comforts
surrounding the homes of many of the Oneidas Onondagas
Tuscaroras and the Tonawandas Cattaraugus and Allie
Rhany Senecas evidence in them uniform advancement
The reliance Of the Allegheny Snecas upon their timber
and lumber has not made necessary for them to turn
their attention wholly agriculture aud while this re-
has furnished them temporary aid, the timber and
lumber trade in which they engaged be regarded
as hindranoe to their permanent improvement -.
Churches and religious influences and schools are well
among these Indians and all to be impress
ed with desire to educate their children The State OF
New York and the American Board OF Missions continue
make liberal appropriations for education among them
The Thomas Asy lnm the Cattaraugus reservation Is
completed, and ia rapidly filling with orphan and
destitute children. The Indians this last reservation
have had the kind offices and aid of the Society of Friends
the patronage Of the department has also been extend
| ed to them
The Ottowas and Chippewas and the Chppewas of Sag
inaw and Swan Creek and Black River, all within the
State of Michigan continue gradually to increase in num-
bers well advance in the of peace and under
the liberal provisions of the treaties of 1855, by which
every family to receive homestead from the public do
main and the friendly feelings manifested toward them by
people of the State present indications which would
to justify the hope that they will attain much higher
life than they have heretofore done They beginning
locate the lands assigned them and apparently high
y appreciate the separate homes to which they en-
| titled.
The Chippewas of Lake Superior who inhabt
ons in he northern peninsula OF Michigan the northern
part of Wisconsin, and that portion of Minnesota between
the ST. Louis river and the British line have been furnished
with liberal supply of farming implements, carpenters
TOOLS household furniture and cooking utensils and every
Indian having house and residing in it has been sup
piled with good cooking stove and the usual cooking
utensils, table bureau chairs, bedsead, ookng-gas
and many smaller articles for household The effect
of this policy is quite perceptbe and saluary and has
stimulated many to erect and provide for erecting
houses at Bad River and several other places Certificates
have been issued to all the halbeeds who by the pro
visions Of the recent treaty. entitled to land which, if
respected at the land Offices will to to each of
them the quantity to which they entitled and which
they may designate from any of the public domain not
otherwise appropriated.
In addition to those among the Indians of Michigan
proper, schools maintained at LAnse Red River,
Laponte and Grand Portage all among the Chppewas Of
Lake Superior.
The extended of country embraced within the
Michigan agency renders impossible for the agent to de-
much time to the Indians under his charge is
absolutely necessary. There is ample business for two
agents. and with faithful aid them in making
most available the liberal provisions of the recent treaties
much for their good may be accomplished They pre-
pared to take advice and receive instruction.
The jurisdiction of the northern superntendency has been
extended the Indians Of Minnesota the Oneida Stock
bridge and Menomonee tribes in Wisconsin, still remain
| ing within its limits.
The condition of the Oneidas of Wisconsin has changed
but little since last year and of importance has
occurred among them except the murder Of Of the
chiefs by member OF the tribe This event has produced
much excitement and has caused apprehensons Ct serious
disturbances The murder committed under the infu
ence of intoxicating liquor.
Under the operations OF the treaty of February 5 1856
between the Sockbrdge and Munsee Indians and the gov
ernmen it is to be expected that the Sockbrdge Difficult
ties which for number of years past have been
of trouble and vexaton will be terminated An
rangemeut has been made by which tract of land on
end of the Menomonee reservation has been selected
for home for the Stockbrdges and Munsees
Some of these Indians have already commenced TO build
themselves houses at their location and have
been taken to insure the final removal Of all Of them
soon this can be prudenty and properly effected 1t il
TO be hoped that any actous opposition which may mani
fest itself among few of these Indians may meet with
encouragement either in Wisconsin elsewhere The
cessy Of the and the interests Of the Indians require
that they should remove from their present location
, Stockbridge without delay.
The advancement of the Menomonees constant anC
steady Although obstacles have been thrown n the way
Of these Indians and the vicious and unscrupuous hav
endeayored TO hwar all the efforts made for their improve
ment and the graspng ayarce Of unprncpled white er
in seeking TO obtain their property in defiance of usc
and right has rendered them somewhat restless and
easy yet notwithstanding all ths their progress very
gratifying and the results already attained leave doub
but the Menomonee Indians in very few years will com
pletey and perfectly adopt habits Of industry and eivzs
ton Indian aborers have been exclusively employed e
do the work Of the tribe The agent farmer miller teach
and one blacksmith the only white persons oca
ted at the agency and employed on the reservation AL
the work in the fields as well in the shops Is done by
Indian hands number Of the young Menomonees hav
become expert carpenters providing only the genera
carpenter shop with hands but the different bands hav
carpenters among them who erecting houses for th
various families 70 facilitate which the council mas re
quested that Of carpenters tools be furnished each
band.
In the southern part Of Minnesota Territory the Winnie
bagoes have assigned to them under the treaty of Februa
ry, 1885, an excellent tract Of land for permanent home
and laudable efforts are now being made TO correct the
vicious habits Of these Indians Extensive improvements
have been made for them at their location Whit,
labor has heretofore been mainly relied on hereafter
Is expected that the Indians themselves win be
tensvey employed In performing the work which will bt
required to be done II Is designed next to enlarge
and extend the improvements upon the Winnebago reser
vaton At late council of the tribe code oflaws
adopted for the protection Of their persons and property
: and for the punishment Of crimes.
Various have combined prevent the Medawa-
kautoan, Wahpshkoots, Sssitoau and Wshpstoan Sioux
from deriving heretofore much substantial benefit from
the very liberal provisions of the treaties OF July and Au
gust 1851 Until after the reservations permanently
assured to the Indians in 1854 IL would have been highly
improper TO have made expenditures for permanent inn
proveents and since then the affairs Of the agency have
not been free from confusion in all its operations Under
the direction Of their agent efficient steps WILL II is
expected be taken without delay to advance the interests
Of these Indians and to make the various Improvement
for which the treaties provide Heretofore large sums
money have been paid to and expended for these Sioux
but they have been indolent extavagan and intempe
rate and have wasted their without improving
seeming to desire TO improve their condition II s 10 be
feared that bad counseB have controlled them and theI
constant with the Chlppewss has also had sad effect
upon them. All the power Of the department will be er
erted TO require these Sioux to cease their rowing wan
derng habits and to settle down upon their reserve
tons.
With regard to the Chippewas Of the Mississippi and the
Pillager and Lake Winnibgoshsh bands It may be re-
that their with the Sioux and the Of ardent