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


and the osages The policy Of that act and the welfare
If not the very existence OF these Indians require that
new and different arrangements be made with them as
soon possible @ go"
concur fully with those of nay predecessors who have
stated thht there have been great and radical mis-
takes in system of Indian policythe assignment OF
entirely too large body of land in to the diff
erent tribes which have been relocated and the pay
ment of large money annues for the cessons made by
them; the first tending directly prevent the Indians
from acquiring settled habits and idea Of personal
property and rights which lie the very foundation of
all civilization the second susng and fostering feel
ing Of dependence and habits OF idenes fatally ad
verse to anything like physical and moral Improvement
With regard to the Indians in Nebraska and Kansas espe
cally it is all important that these mistakes shall not be
perpctuated repeated They in critical position
They have been saved long possible from the
tact and pressure Of white population which has gener
ally heretofore been regarded fatal to the indian
They are becoming rapidly surrounded by such
popuiaon full of enterprise and energy, and by which
all the surplus lands far west any Of the border
srie rcze, viii necessarily be required for settle
ment There place left where it is practicable again
to place these tribes separate and apart by themselves
Their destiny must be determined and worked out where
they There they must advance, and improve and
become fitted to take active part in the ennobing
struggles Of civilization or, remaining ignorant mbe
ce and helpless and acquiring only the fatal vices of
civilized life they must sink and perish like thousands Of
! their before them solemn duty rests upon the
government to do all in its power to them from the
latter fate and there Is time to be lost in adopting all
necessary measures to preserve, elevate and advance
l them. s.. .ss.- .... ~. IL. .r. sas.-...
With large reservations fertile and desirable land
entirely dsproportoned to their wants for occupancy and
support it will be impossible, when surrounded by dense
white population to protect them from constant disturb
ance, intrusion and spoation by those whom the OBJ
legations of law and justice rest but lightly while their
large annutes will subject them to the wles and machi-
nations of the nhuman tracker in ardents spirits the
unprincpled gambler, and the greedy and avaricious
| trader and speculator. A a.
Their reservations should be restricted so as to contain
10
by actual cultivation and should be properly divided and
assigned to them with the obligation to remain upon and
cultivate the same.
The title should remain in the tribe with the power re-
served to the when any Of them become suf
fcently intelligent, sober, and Industrious to grant
them patents for the land assigned to them but leas
bic aenabe only to members of the tribe until they
become far advanced to be fitted for the enjoyment
of all the rights and privileges OF citizens of the United
States Their anues should be taken and used for the
erection OF comfortable residences and requisite out build
ngs, and otherwise in gradually improving their farms.
Manual labor schools should be established where they
could learn how to conduct properly their agricultural
pursuits and especially where the boys could be educated
farmers and the girls in housewifey and the dairy and
where also there could be impaired to both the ruments
| OF plain and useful education. p" ..
Mechanics shops should also be established where
say and where OF the boys possible should be
placed and trained to knowledge of the mechanic arts
suited to the condition and wants of their people
Ii u.s. If possible important that the Indian should
be taught to till the soil and to labor in the mechanical
shops than to have common school education.
The adult Indians should be encouraged to cultivate
the lands assigned them have the exclusive
CONTROL under the tribal right of his own possessions
and of the products of his labor and encourage
them to part with their children willingly be instructed
the manual labor Schools and in the mechanical shops
the surplus productions of the one profits of the other
should be divided among the parents Of the children who
aided to produce them. All these arrangements should
be under the exclusive control OF the department. well
j the annues, far they be withdrawn from
that of the tribe and applied to accomplish the objects
/ mentioned. s-fs. Ir .a4E#.s'
/ No white person should be permitted to obtain any
kind OF possession foothod within the limits of the
reservations, to enter them, except in the
poy by permission of the government, and none
should be employed except such woud be actually
cessary for the instruction of the Indians Power should
he conferred the agents to eject summary all ntru-
ders from the reservations They should also be clothed
with executive and judicial authority in matters pertain
ing to their agencies and appeals from their decisions be
allowed to the superntendent and thence to the depart
ment But to carry out the system successfully 1t would
be necessary to relieve the Indians from the example OF
the worthless iders and vagrans of the tribe as well
those whose wild habits and rowing dispositions would
preclude them from settling down quietly and orderly
All such should be colonized by themselves in such posi-
tions not to admit of much if any, communication OF
intercourse with the settled portions tribes For
such colonies places could be found somewhere about
Bents Fort and the heads of the Arkansas and Platte
rivers s.H.s at t5a tas a% Wig aa@&
This plan is applicable at present only such Indians
those located in Nebraska and Kansas The wilder
tribes could not be brought at within the entire
tenn they could not at first brook the restraint and
confinement. They must undergo preliminary train
ing being gradually induced to abandon their nomadic
and wandering habits and to settle down larger
vations where for time they would have to be sus-
tanned until they could be influenced to make the neces
sary exertons to support themselves by cutvatns the
/ soil ~ a Heatss .-tufe tt
The settlement OF the questions arising under various
treaties in which reservations have been granted in
eralty to dias in Kansas and Nebraska presents many
difficulties which know Of way OF overcoming except
by Congress- authorizing the department to sell the lanes
and to control the proceeds thereof In such manner rs
render them effective for the assistance and benefit of the
reserves at4 aFts +t sast hf Iee tl6fr s
The reports in regard 10 the four great southwestern
tribesthe Cherokees Creeks, Choctaws and Chicka-
very favorable Their regularly organized and
stable governments and laws well suited to their cond
ton and circumstances their general devotion indus
trial pursuits and their comparative national and ndivd
ual prosperity evnce most creditable and gratifying de-
gree Of advancement in the fundamental elements civ-
zton Some If not all Of them appear to be expecting
and preparing for an important change in their political
and municipal relations with the United States and there
doubt that suitably organized territorial govern
ments may with great propety and advantage be ex-
tended TO them at early day Until such change
shall be United States courts established suitable points
within the territory Of these Indians for the trial Of
arising there under our laws The embarrassments and
expense to which they subjected in being compelled
10 attend tho federal court in Arkansas and the difficulty
in securing the attendance Of witnesses give rise TO cases
of great hardship amounting to denial Of Justice
submit herewith copy OF the late annual message of
John Ross principal chief Of the Cheroees their ma
tona council which Is worthy of special attention as