The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-10

without authority OF law another constitution was framed
and the advocates OF the movement claimed to have the
support Of majority Of the Choetaw people. Civil
impending and both parties appealed to this depart
mcnt for support. The superintendent acting under in
structons, enabled by sustaining the regular gov
ernment, constituted IN pursuance Of law, To effect
reconciliation of parties by procuring from the recognised
authorities such concessions proved satisfactory 10 the
reyoutonsts and thus peace and harmony restored
to this interesting community
BY the treaty with the Greeks concluded Ia 1856, a
portion of their country set apart for the exclusive
occupancy of the Seminoes, and an appropriation was
pledged for the expense Of removing that portion OF the
Seminole tribe then still remaining in Florida in state Of
hostility For than twenty years few warriors Of
this tribe had baed the energetic efforts OF rarmy TO Ell
feet their subugaton and removal Millions had been
spent and many valuable lives sacrificed but still they eu
ded capture and could not be induced 10 and mite
with their brethren west Of the Mississippi river. In this
condition of things, Colonel Rector, the southern super
ntendent, instructed to take with him the agents OF
the Creeks and Sennoles, with delegation OF leading
Of each tribe and visit the everglades Of Florida,
and possible effect the removal of these desperate re
gees With great tact and fidelity he carried out his I'M
structons and succeeded in inducing all the leading war
rios TO abandon their fasncsses smoke with him the pipe
of pcacc and accompany him to the country set apart for
them and their brethren One hundred and sixty -four
were thus removed and Immediately II was proclaimed
that hosttes were at an end.
The economy with which this emigration was effected
reflects great credit upon the officer who entrusted
with its management lie has been instructed to return
to Florida this winter and scattered remnant
still lett behind who have made kn their Willingness
TO join their friends in their new homes.
There is nothing which has often disturbed and de-
stroyed amcablc relations with the remote tribes
the failure part to comply with promises and
agreements made by officers and agents. whom the In
dans have regarded duly authorized TO speak for our
government To this must, for the most part,
ascrbe our recent difficulties with the Indians in Wash
ington Territory. Treaties had bacn negotiated with
them some two or three ago, by which they agreed
to retire upon small reservations in confederation of
promise part to erect buildings establish shops
and schools and make annual presents Of blankets cloth
ing, and useful implements
These treaties not having boon ratified, the Indian OF
flee has hem compelled to dappoint the expectations Of
the Indians who very naturally became dissatisfied The
frequent trespasses committed by the whites, who, not
anticipating the delay in the ratification of the treaties in
many instances settled upon the land which by the
treaties ceded to the United States aggravated the
discomfort Of the Indians until manifested itself in acts
of open hostility.
Peace has been again obtained by conquest but the
act terms upon which it has been made not ut this
time known to the department
The proper management of those Indians, whose title
to the lands they occupy has been recognised by the
United States, is problem Of most difficult solution.
do not refer to the scattered remnants of Indian tribes
still remaining in of the older States of the Union
who not brought under the supervision of the Com
missioner of Indian Affairs, but to the Indians In the
States of California and Texas The policy adopted by
Congress in regard to these Indians has been to gather
them far practicable npon reservations, with the
expectation that under the guidance and protection of
the Indian agents. they would support themselves by
their labor and improve in morals and in the arts of
civilized life. During the last steps taken
TO obtain correct and reliable information of the working
Of this system.
partial report from Texas gives the gratifying intel
gence of the good conduct of agents and the COM
fort and progress Of the Indians the reservations
The information in regard 10 the working of the sys-
TEN In California is discOuraging The product of the
several farms is altogether Inadequate to the support Of
the Indians and the expense of the system heretofore
managed, is enormous.
This is to be attributed, in great measure, to the un
necessarily large number of white persons employed and
it would that, without radical reform in this and
other particulars the system will not be attended by
success commensurate with the cost.
Directions have been given to dismiss the labores and
employees who have been retained heretofore at very
heavy expense, and to employ Indian labor alone in cu
tiyating and improving the FARMS and in herding the
stock Proper aotments of land inside the reservations
to be assigned to each family their private
property and each individual is to be fully secured in the
possession and enjoyment of the fruits of his labor
industry and virtue are to be encouraged by suitable
wards, and distinguished from dleness and vice. Tho
Indians are moreover to be informed that unless they
produce their necessary supplies they longer
pec that food will be furnished them at the expense OF
the United States With view to carry out the policy
here Indicated the estimates for tho Indian service in
California for the next fiscal year have been reduced to
| the of fifty thousand dollars
In southern California there still numerous bands
of Indians that have permanent locations. Where
they found in desirable places they often nrude
upon and driven away by white men |; and feeling no
condolences that they can retain place of permanent
abode they wander about ready for any mschevous
terprise If this department had authority assign
homes to such in the possession of which they might be
protected there is hope that they could eventually be
made useful members of community in which they
now dangerous sagrants.
The Pmas and Maricopas, of Arizona agrcutusts,
and have fixed abodes Before they intercred with
by emigration reservations of proper extent should be
assigned to them and definite understand
ing be had with the Apaches, Camanches, Kiowas,
and other rowing tribes of the Interior the policy
appears to be most proper to adopt in regard to them
These tribes will have to be localized and to
force quietudc aud keep them within the limits of their
possessions, the utmost watchfuness and frmness
will be required
1 take occasion here to the recommendations
made in my last annual report that district court
should be established in the country occupied by the
Choctaws Chckasaws, Cherokees and Creeks, and that
the intercourse laws should be revised and codicd.
With the authority from Congress 80 to commute the
annutcs of Indian tribes that they may be expended
with their consent and appreciation for the good
to divide existing tribal reservations among the ndivd
ala OF the tribes respectively with such restrictions upon
the power of alienation will all temptation to
speculation to assign lands homes to those Indians
who have fixed abode and to prescribe the bounda.
ries within which the migratory bands will bo required to
remain should hope for the best results from the efforts
of this department to ameliote the condition of the
dans under It's supervision.
PENSIONS
The current business of the Pension Office In all It's
branches has been brought up 10 date and the large
ira force which required for the execution of the
bounty act of 1855 be dispensed with at an early
day.