New-York daily tribune., 1859-12-28

Philip r. Thomas OF baltimore, who has been the
active and efficient agent Of the Society durng The
whole period OF i,s watchfu care over the indians
The policy Of concentrating the Indians OF Michigan
ON small reservations, with the view of tranin, bs,,
10 industrial pursuits s beng successfully prosecuted
and, If aided by such legislation on the part Of ths
State may be necessary for tho protection of their
rghts and interests and prevent their being sunnad
with ardent spirits confident hopes may be entertnsd
OF sn early and material Improvement in their con-
diton
The Opeidas in Wisconsin are anxious to bava tho
lands in their reservation surveyed and limited nor.
sons thereof allotted 10 them in seyeralty. the "a
msinder TO be disposed Of for their benefit Their
agent gives good reasons why this should be done
and II beng IN conformity with the now 6rmly-estah
hshed policy OF the Department they should be orati
fed their reasonable wishes in this particular
Ibe ookbudges and Munsees have manifested some
Dissatisfaction with the lands assigned them by the
treaty Of 1856 because they have alleged of their
y 1nEtuees for agricultural purposes and q portion of
the tribe have heretofore refused TO 20 there in conse
Quence of which the Department has not felt justified
in paying over their removal and improvement funds,
not considering them entitled thereto unless they ali
united in complying with the obligations of the treaty
Though not satisfied that their objections to their new
country were well founded, the Department was will
ing TO gratfy them in a desire which they expressed
TO be located with the Oneidss their reservation il
the arrangement could be made upon reasonable terms
Tie Oneidas, however, demanded exorbitans a
Price for the lands necessary for the purpose that it
had TO be abandoned, since which all of the Stock
bridges and MUnsees their agent reports, have re-
moved 10 and are now on their own lands
Tie Agent reports that the MenOmonees are begin
ming 70 make progress in the adoption of agrcu
tura and other industrial pursuits, in the home
provided for them by the treaty OF 1854 and that they
desire 70 have their lands parhtoned among them in
eeveralty; which may be regarded evidence of
dawLDe on their part of an entire change
in then mode of life being necessary for their welfare
and hal piness.
The concentration Of the Chippewas in Wisconsin
and Minnesota upon the eircumscbed reservations as
signed 10 them by the treaties of lS5i-5 beside re-
deeming large body Of lands from the incubus Of
the Indian title and vagrant occupancy and thro wing
them open for settlement by the whites must result in
great advantage 10 the Indians themselves, in giving
them fixed places of abode, in bringing them unde :
more easy and efficient control, aud in enabling the
Department 10 apply with greater effect and ad-
vantage the means and instrumeDtaes necessary for
their mprovt ment. This change Of policy in regard
10 thtm and the wonderful revolution that has taken
place among the Sioux Of Minnesota respecting rad
ical range in their habits and mode Of life, have al
ready led to entire cesraon, it s believed of the
Hereditary bostlites between these two tribes, in
which numerous lives were annually sacrificed, in
despie OF the earnest efforts of the Government for
many years to prevent the wantOn and inhuman
slaughter.
would respectfully call your attention to the con-
side rat0ns presented in the reports Of the Agent for
the Mississippi Chippewas and the Superintendent for
Il Northe Supenntendln in favor Of treaty with
tie Red Lake Cbippewas, aud the Indians of the Red
River Of the North, for the eStnguishment of their
title the lands which they own in that region en-
braciDg, il is estimated, some $4,000 square miles
tt lands though remote, represented to be fer
tile al d valuable. They lie between our northern
settleme nts in Minnesota and the boundary line be-
tween us and the British Possessions. The extension
of our settlements in that direction has been stimulated
and accelerated by the important and valuable COM
nerce which has sprung up with the considerable
porulaton on the other side Of the line and which for
the benefit of citizens entitled to protection and
safe transit through the country OF these Indians, but
which cannot be given TO It while the lands re-
emain theirs The Importance of this route AS chan
el Of commerce in the fact that the HudsOns
Bay Company now transport over it the supple re-
oued for their numerous trading posts in the North
West The Indians in question not under treaty
pledges and obligations without which they cannot,
of course be brought under the necessary CONTROL and
subjected TO modified reservation policy. The ne
goation of treaty with them would, therefore seem
to be requn ed we'll for their benefit and welfare
for The IrOtec and advancement of the interests Of
cur citizens.
In the reports of Superintendent Cullen and Agent
Blown herewith viii be found most interesting ac-
counts OF "A remarkable revolution going among
the Sioux Indians Minnesota in regard to their dress
habits and pursuits. In common with the other men,
bers of the great Dakota tribes they have heretofore
been regarded as among the most wild and ntracta0le
as they have been among the most warhke Indians
within our borders this continent, and but very
faint hopes have been entertained OF their ever beng
5n,restiffated and civilized But through the good
MANAGEMENT and unremitting efforts OF the above
named Cfcers, the policy OF restricting them TO small
reservations Of diyIding their lands among them i'll
and providing them with comfortable aDOues
Her, and of supplying Il with stock, Implements
ard other means and facilities OF adopting agricultural
T,rslits bns been attended with the most gratifying
Iesuls They rapidly putting aside their baroaric
costume d ornaments, and adopting the dress rs wen
"a n bab and pursuits OF civilized lie. Inc plan
devised by the Superintendent aud Agent OF nav
ING them signify their determination to do this
In an omen aud formal manner by beng shorn OF ther
acAu-locksihe peculiar and distinctive badge OF tAe
savage waTri0r-and assuming the dress OF the Whlle
man IL well calculated not only 10 confirm the trans
formae n i'm those making the change, but also to have
Powerful efect and influence upon their brethren 10
follow their example. IL is stated that among those
who have SO changed many OF the Chiefs and mem
bers OF the most influential men OF the tribe that Two
luldred men with their families, making t0geiher
sev,n hundred psrsOns have done within the last
wear: thar FIVE hundred now preparing for IT,
a that the confident expectation ~ that al the end OF
fhraa ara The Blanket Indians will number less than
did tAoee who wore civilized costumes two years sice
before tbe new movement commenced. Ana IL ls hOs'
ertifyno 10 know that the change is not confined TO
dress alone but that it includes also the industrious
habits by which civilization is made aud malntalhed
that n aiding 10 procure the material for their houses
aid improvements and in the construction thereof;
the cultivation OF the soil and in the management ana
care Of their stock and implements they eVlncS ue
sree ~ energy industry, and Intelligence, which gives
9romse of the most hopeful results. IL Will indeed De
euarkble II the great and hitherto unsoved problem
OF the civilization and regeneration OF the heu Man
sban DO successfully worked out IN tne case Oh VIo
of the widest mort warike, and as heretofore De-
lsed most untamable portions of this singular race
Tbese Indians art certainly deserving oil every en-
oonrayerpeni and as they need aid and assistance III
tber sfIorts 10 accomplish the great objects OF ther
civilization their is one which challenges 'ns
Rreaest liberalty on the part OF the Iovernnen anu %
Rero II NAV not be improper 10 call attention 10 tae
nueStons submitted 10 the Senate for decision oy tne
,reaas neyoiiaed with these Indiana IN June, 1919
S which were ratified on the 3lst of March last out
With ut any decision having been made upon 'nOSe