The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-17
REPORT ON INDIAN AFFAIRS.

was presented before. IfE EasE Has aEgn
REPORT ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
The report from the Commissioner Of Indian AT.
fairs is strictly business document giving CON-
plete narrative of the transactions Of the Indian Of
fce during the year, together with such changes in
the condition Of the various tribes as may serve to
record the history of the original owners Of the
American continent. The numerous suggestions for
the improvement Of the condition Of the Indians de-
serve the considerate attention Of Congress.
d The New York Indians continue to improve in
their condition, having adopted to considerable
tent the habits and customs Of their white brethren
The several tribes in Michigan have been relieved
from the obligation to remove west of the Missis-
sippi now hold their lands in severalty, and under
the liberal legislation of that State, attain to c
zenship. The Menolnonees and Stockbridges of
Wisconsin have also been released from their en-
gagements to emigrate westward. The Oneidas re-
main in the vicinity Of Green Bay. The great Chip
pewa tribe has coded nearly all Of its lands in Wis
consin, Minnesota and Michigan, and the various
bands should be located on suitable reservations.
The Daeotahs or Sioux and the Winnebagoes of
Minnesota arc uOillS Wen. III wan SH'ah ouuaWSu
and reckless band of the Sioux that committed the
murders and outrages at the white settlement at
Spirit Lake in March last who have since been
verely punished by their brethren. As many as two
thousand of the Indians Of the tribes ON the up
per and headwaers of the Missouri river have been
carried off by the smallpox.
The Indian tribes west Of Missouri and Iowa, in
m. - NnlDr Ean hax al
about l365SO00 of their lands for the use and
settlement Of the whites, reserving about l,342,Ooo
acres for their own use The lands coded by the
Delawares have been sold for their benefit, yielding
81, O54,943 n !; the lands of the Ioways yielded
1854 437 80 and the lands of the four united tribes
Kaskaskias Peorias, Weas and Piankeshaws, yielded
S335 .35O-all of which has been invested for their
benefit. The Wyandotts have abandoned their tribal
character.
The Commissioner concurs with the views Of his
predecessors that there have been two great mistakes
in our Indian policy-the assignment Of entirely
too large body Of land in common to the different
tribes which have been relocated and the payment
of large money annuities for the eessions made by
them. These errors are exposed at length, and nu
merous suggestions offered for their Improvement
and civilization The reservations should be restrict
ed, manuallabor schools and mechanics shops estab
lished, and no white person permitted to obtain a
foothold within the reservations
The Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws and Chickasaws
are in aourishing condition The late annual mes
sage of John Ross chief of the Cherokees accompa-
MES the report
1t is expected that the Seminoles will soon remove
and settle within the district of country provided for
Them and it is hoped that the balance Of the tribe in
Florida can then be induced peaceably to remove
and join them. sat4s .sa5
Attention is called to the evil effects of per capita
payments of amuties. 1t breaks down and de-
stroys the influence of the chiefs, and thus disor
ganizes the tribes and leaves them without gov
eminent With the diminished control and influence
of the Chiefs there is increased lawlessness on the
part of the members, and hence the greater number
of outrages the persons and property of other III
dams, and of our citizens. 5saFeesta,aa .E
The colonization of the Indians in Texas the
reservations set apart for them is progressing rapid
ly The several colonies will be able to support
themselves. The Indians in New Mexico begin to
appreciate and nderstand our power and resources
and are generally willing to settle down reserva-
tons. The Pueblo Indians hold the tracts they oc-
cupy by grants from the Spanish or Mexican govern
ments they should be surveyed and set apart from
the surrounding lands.
No reliable satisfactory information in regard to
the Indians in Utah is in possession of the Office. The
superintendent for California reports that universal
peace prevails among the tribes in that State, and
that they are making great progress in acquiring
knowledge Of the pursuits Of industry Five reser-
yations have been established in that State.
Our relations with the Indians of Oregon and
Washington in a very critical condition, and I'M
der the existing state Of things there is constant
liability to general outbreak their part from any
disturbing cause. They are represented to be viii
ling to dispose of their lands and the purchase is
recommended.