New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-05
REPORT ON INDIAN AFFAIRS.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
nvvrru IHuIAS AgVAIpa Nnveunhar ~

condition and prospects of the Indian tribes within our
limits.
In general our Indians have enjoyed during sheyear
uninterrupted health. With here and there an excep-
tion peace has prevailed within our borders Pente-
ousess has generally rewarded the industry OF the
Indian agrcultur except where the excessive droush
bas bigLted his crops and rendered his abors fuess
There has been reInittedfo for paymentto yarouSrtes
in compliance with treaty obligations during the pres
ont calendar year, in money, goods and provisions,
A. 92i .069 65 There is now in the Treasury Of tho
United States the sum of 1881 l94 $780, applicable
to the Indian service for the balance of the fiscal year
terminating the Both June, 1861. The estimates for
the fiscal year lS662 based treaty promises, spe-
ciaI provisions of law and the legitimate incidental
expenses arising therefrom, amount TO ll4635 5s
The sum of 49, 1862 has been invested in stocks OF
the United States and IN several Of the individual
States the annual interest accruing hereupon sl59,-
GOO sol being applied in the fument q treaty stipu-
atiOns. Tie amount which has reverted 10 the feas-
ury az surplus fund during the calendar year. the OBJ
iects for which tie appropriations were originally made
having iu the judgment Of the office been accomplished,
Since the 18th Of March, 1857, eleven treaties have
been negotiated with various Indian tIlOes, which
treaties with the exception Of the with the Ton
AMANDA band Of SeEecas Of York, designed 10
settle certain claims growing out Of former stipnla-
tons may be properly separated into tro distinct
classes: first treaties Of acquisition for the purpofe
of concentrating the Indians within suitable re-
servatons and second treaties Of ceseion In trust
TO the General Government with view to the sale
of lands for the benefit Of the tribes, in order to Sc
cure 10 TIE individual members Of each tribe perma-
nent homes on separate tracts where their lbal "har
acter can be- gradually abolished, and where they
will be subject to the ameliorang Influences Of civil
iztion TIE quantity Of land acquired by there rea-
ties, which row constitutes part OF the pubic 10
. ~ :. stnh lA f.f.rap on
has agreed to pay the aggregate consideration OF
s3726sSo There have also been coded by said treaties
6 100 acres of land be sold III trust for the benefit
Of the respective tribes len o. taese treaties nave
before the Senate for its considetaicn aud would
respecly suggest that tho attention Of that body be
again called to the subject In view CT Tie Importance
of seeming to this tribe permanent home, as tney
have become greatly dissatisfied and discouraged by
FREQUENT removals fIom point - point merely to accom-
modal white citizens WHO were anxious TO possess
their lands.
Under the various acts Of Congress granting bounty
land to Indians there have been Law appic2tions
transmitted from this Bureau to the Pension Once,
since the 4th of March, 1857, upon which li3 war,
rants have been issued, leaving BIT c2ims suspended
for additional evidence During the same period l,I6
warrants have been issued upon applications mace
prior TO that date making in the aggregate 3O5S war
rants which have enanated in favor OF Indians subse-
duent to the time first specified, and these warrants
lave all been transmitted to tie respective agents Tor
delivery to the Indians entitled thereto.
The tndans within the limits Of the State Of New
York have not deterioraed from the favorable cond-
ton in which therepOrt Of last year placed them. The
settlement of the difficulties OF the Io1awanda baud OF
Senecas seems to have given new impulse TO tfeir
exerons which is manifested by the marked improve
ment of their village, and the increased quantity OF
land brought under culture.
The Indians of Michigan concentrated on small
reservations have been successful in their improve
ment.
tba of 10
Oneidss in Wisconsin were anxious to have the laud
surveyed limited portions allotted to thom IN scyerty,
and the residue sold for their benefit. Subsequently
has been represented that the band are divided upon
the subject and consequence no steps have been
taken ia the preTi3es.
Tie StocAbridges and biunsees in Wisconsin, do not
appear to give amy satisfactory evidence OF improve
ent. The members of these tribes are properly re-
spOnsble for their present unfaYorabia CONDITION,
arising from the petty jealousies among the more
prominent of them for plIce and power. Win your
appreciation measures have been recently adopted 10
execute the sppations of the treaty OF the llth OF
February 1856 respecting the emahatlon OF patents 10
the respective parties entitled thereto
TIE MenOmOnees duiing tie past year have mani
tested spirit of INSTRUMENTATION to the requirements
OF their local agent, based on orders from tins oee
The charges made by them against him, which were
regarded, by some OF Our prominent citizens, "a I'M
peaching lis honesty and Integrity, became the subject
Of special Investigation; all agent was, with your
appreciation, dispatched 10 their reservation wsh
directions to investigate the subject cricaily lhe
recrar friends Of tie Indians informed Of the III
tentisn of the department and authorized, if they
thought proper TO procure TIE serIees Of an attorney
for the Indians TO be present dining the investigation
In the opinion of tie Department the report II the
Srecial Agent CIRCULATED that officer from ali the
CHARGES Which had been preferred against him. A
copy Of the report Of the Special Agent with the ae-
comranyinC pales, will be transmitted 10 you to be
laid before the House Of Representatives as required
10y resolution, which was not received here unti after
Il. ,f 10 .ufs ion Of
In nv report OF last year, dwelt at considerable
length upon the improving prospects OF the Sioux IN
dams Of Minnesota, by having adopted the pohcy OF
the Government In restricting them TO small reseiVa
lions and of dividing their lands among them ia sey-
crafty; that they "rapidy putting aside their
barbaric costume and ornaments, and adopting the
dress rs well the habits and pursuits OF civilized
life" that sit 10 stated that among those who have SO
changed are many Of the chiefs, and numbers Of the
most influential men OF the tribe; that 200 nen with
their families making together 200 persons, have done
70 within the YEAR that $40 more now prepar-
ing for IT, and that the confident expectation Is that ~
the end Of three wears, tho Blanket Indians will
number less than did those who civilized costume
two wears since, before the new movement COM
menced." Upon representations made to this Bureau
that a portion Of these Indians who were ayerse TO
abandoning their tibal costume and habits, had III
timidated those VI the tribe who had practically ap-
Piled themselves TO Agriculture and, with view TO
protect the latter in their audable Efforts for improve
meit the War Department was requested 10 place "A
company of United States troops at the agency OF TEL
low medicine tor the assistance OF the Agent in pro-
tecting the A." farmers" their yoeations This re-
request was promptly acceded to, and the presence Of
the troops has resulted IN aiOr0ug the requisite pro-
lection The disahected individuals Of the tribe ex-
bibited their hostility to the "agriculturiss,' and their
opposition 10 the peaceful pursuits OF civilization, by
leaving the reservation and hunting excurs,ons
As consequence, portion OF the annnles 10 winch
they would have been He'd had they been present
at the annual payment divided among the "armer
INDIANS" report, Just received from their Agent,
conveys the gratifying intelligence that, with the ex-
cepons above referred TO- one after another these In
dans have abandoned tie chase the Dress the feass,
even the supersions of their fathers, and now occupy
the position recognize the cations, and perform the
Aua;. Of l-,.nLiiun snher. inNnslrinns menbers OF