The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-11

y unknown among them. The heavy an
nua largesses that have been given to some tribes,
amount TO a stipend which, without furnishing AIDE
quate support, yet large enough to destroy their self
reliance repress such INDUSTRY as physical want might
which strengthens their natural aversion to constant labor
or employment
These characteristics Of our past policy should be
changed. Removals of tribes should be avoided Sepa.
rate lands should be assigned to individuals without the
power to ALLEVIATE cucumber them, and money annuites
should be expended for the common good instead Of being
divided per capita.
Upon this line Of policy this department, has acted
Pawnees, Poncas, and Yancton Sioux and in
the administration of the Indian service generally, so
far as the provisions Of existing treaties will admit
II is now proposed that Congress shall authorize
the substitution Of mechanical and agricultural
implements, seeds, clothing, household furniture and
other articles necessary to industry and comfort and
uses, 10 lieu Of payments in money in all cases where
such substitution practicable and believed to be condu
Give to the welfare OF the Indians.
The Cherokees Choctaws Chickasaws and Creeks have
regular governments and give evident proofs OF progress
the Chocaws have recently passed through an exciting
met and framed constitution, and without submitting its
adoption to popular vote the convention had undertaken,
in the exercise Of its delegated sovereignty TO declare
the constitution thus framed TO be in full force aud effect
The government under this constitution went into opera
ton by the election and qualification OF all the necessary
officers and the department had recognized the auhori
tes thus constituted by paying into their hands the an
nutes due the nation Opposition to this consti.
n
called together without authority Of law; an
other constitution was framed and the ad-
vocates Of the movement claimed to have the support Of
majority Of the Chocaw people. Civil was impcni-
ing and both parties appealed to this department for
port. The Superintendent acting under instructions
enabled by sustaining the regular government
uted in pursuance Of law effect reconciliation Of par
ties by procuring from the recognized authorities such
concessions proved satisfactory 70 the revolutions
and thus peace and harmony were restored 70 this ine
resting community.
By The treaty with the Creeks concluded in 1856 por
ton OF their country was SET apart for the exclusive oc
cupancy of the Semnols and Appropriation was
pledged for the expenses Of removing that portion Of the
Seminole tribe then s remaining in Florida in state of
hostility For more than twenty years few warriors of
this tribe bad baied the energetic efforts Of to
effect their scbugaton and removal. Millions had been
spent and many valuable lives sacrificed but still they
cludei capture. and could not be induced to
and unite with their brethren west Of the Mississippi
river. In this condition of things Colonel Rector, the
Southern superintendent instructed 10 take with him
the agents Of the Greeks and Semnoles with delegation
of leading Of each tribe, and visit the everglades of
Florida and possible effect the removal Of these despe
rate refugees. With great tact and fidelity he carried out
his instructions aud succeeded III inducing all the leading
warriors TO abandon their Businesses smoke with him the
pipe of peace, aud accompany him 10 the country
apart for them and their brethren. Oac hundred and
sixty four were thus removed and Immediately il was
proclaimed that hostilit;es M end
The economy with which this emigration effected
reflects great credit upon the officer who entrusted
with its management He has been instructed TO return
10 Florida this winter and remove scattered remnant
stu left behind who have made known their willingness
TO JON their friends in their new homes
There is nothing which has so often disturbed and
destroyed amicabc relations with the more remote
tribes as the failure our part to comply with promises
and agreements made by officers and agents whom the
Indians have regarded az duly authorized 10 speak for our
government. To this cause must for the most part,
ascribe recent difficulties with the Indians in Washing
ton Territory. Treaties had been negotiated with them
some two three ago. by which they agreed 10
tire upon small reservations IN consideration Of promise
part erect buildings establish shops and schools
and make annual presents of blankets clothing and useful
implements.
These treaties having been ratified, the Indian Oce
has been compelled 10 dsapToin the expectations OF the
Indians. who very naturally became dissatisfied The
frequent Iespasscs committed by the whites, who
anticipating the delay In the ratification Of the treaties
many instances settled upon the land which by the trea
ties ceded to The United states aggravated the dis
content Q. the Indians, until II manifested itself in acts
OF opcn hostility.
Peace has been again obtained by conquest but the
exact terms upon which has been made not Al this
time known 10 the department.
The proper geen, Of those Indians, whose title
the lands they occupy has been by the
United States a problem OF most difficult solution do
not refer TO the scattered remnants OF Indian tribes s
remaining Of the older States Cf the Union. who
are brought under TIE supervision OF the Commission
Of Indian Affairs, but TO the Indians in the States Of
California and Texas The policy adopted by Congress in
regard these Indians has been gather them far
practicable upon reservations with the expectation that
under the guidance aud protection OF the Indian agents
they would support themselves by their labor, and IN
prove in morals and in the Of civilized life. During
the last summer steps were taken 10 obtain correct ana
reliable Information u the working Of this system.
partial report from Texas gives the gratifying nte
gence at the good conduct Of our agents and the comfort
and progress ~ the Indians On the reservations.
The Information IN regard TO the working OF the system
In California dscouraging. The product OF the
farms altogether inadequate the support Of the Indians
and the expense q the system heretofore managed
This II 10 be attributed in great measure, to the
necessarily large number % white persons employed aad
would that. without radical reform IN this and
other particulars, the system viii not be attended by
success commensurate With the cost
Directions have been given TO dismiss the labor
ers aud employees VITO have been retained heretofore
at a very heavy expense, and 10 employ Indian labor
alone IN cutvatng and improving the farms and IN herd
ing The stock. Proper aotmeLts OF land inside the
servaions are 10 be assigned 70 each family their
private property, and each individual u 20 be
fully secured in the possession AMI eni,ymcnn Of the
fruits Of his labor industry and virtue are TO be
encouraged by suitable rewards, aud distinguished from
idcncss aud vice. The Indians are, moreover to be In
formed tia, unless they produce their necessary supplies
they longer vxpec, tina, food will be- furnished
them the expense 81 the United states With view to
carry the policy here Indicated the estimates for the
Indian service California for the next fiscal year have
been reduced 20 the of iiiy thousand dollars.
In southern California there are still numerous bands or
Indians that have 70 PERMANENT locations. Where they
are found desirable places they often ntruded upon
aud driven away ht white men: AMI feeling c0nfi nee
that they can retain place q permanent abode, tncy
wander about ready FOR aty nstllcyoas enterprise II
tbs department Tad authority 70 assign homes 70 such ~
the possession - which they might b. protected there IL
hope that they could eventually b. made useful members
Of IS ia which hey dangerous warrants
Tie pirnos aua MariCopae 81 Arizona are aEficultu
rss aud have fixed ab3ies r. fore they in;crcrcd
with Is emigration reservations ~ proper extent should
ing ne bad Win the Aiachcs. CnaAchcs, kowas and
rowing tribes Of The interior the same policy appears
e. hp most proper q afuIt regard 70 thcui These
tribes Will have a. he locazei ami ~ enforce quc
,nde aud keep them tina the limits Of their pos
sessions, the uimcs, waicniuncfs and nrmness vii be
required
take occasion here 70 renew the recommendation male
ii my as, annual report that dis,rc, court should be
established IL the country occupied by tile Chcctaws,
Chckasaws. Chef KEGS and Creeks and that tie inter
course Laws should be revised and c13ifed
With tie authority IRON Congress 20 70 commute the
AZ M ii ffz may hp Mol
with Their consent and appreciation for the good
10 divide existing tribal reservations among the niivi.
duas of the tribes respectively with such restrictions up
on the power Of alienation Will remove all temptation
specuaton assign lanas a. homes 70 those Indians
Who fixed abode and to prescribe the boundaries
with which the migratory bands all be required 10
main should hoIe the best results from the efforts Of
n department ameiorate the condition o the Indians
under lts suIers lson.
PENSIONS.
The current business o. the Pension Office in all ia
branchcs has been brought NJ date AMI the large cer
cal force which required for the execution ~ the
bounty land 1855 be dispensed vh at an early
cay.