The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-21
Indian Affairs.

A considerable portion of the report of
the Secretary of the Interior, and of that
of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, is de-
voted to o consideration of our Indian policy.
Both these gentlemen concur in the opinion
that they have discovered remedy for the
Thurman system which is rapidly sweeping
the aboriginal race from our country. They
contend that II the government faithfully
persists in the recently adopted plan of con-
finipg Indian tribes to localities where they
will, as far as possible, be shielded from the
demoralizing effects of association with
white men, and where. non-intercouse laws
can be rigidly enforced, and if it gives to
each individual Indian clear but inaliena-
BILE right to portion Of the soil, and in
stead Of supplying them with money and
trinkets, furnishes them liberal allowance
Of tools, seeds, and agricultural implements,
they will gradually become civilized and in
dustrious farmers. Several striking exam.
Piles are adduced to prove the correctness of
this theory. Mr.. GREENWOOD, the Com
missioner of Indian Affairs, says:
Although much distrust has been manifested
in the system by other, am confident of it's
ultimate success. The Dacotah or Sioux of
Minnesota furnish a laudable example. With
them the practice of colonization was inaugu.
rated as late as 1858; and most of the pioneers
in vovnrn m M n q
dition, although they have had to contend with
many adverse influences in opposition to all
preconceived opinions. During the past year
more than one hundred of this tribe have been
constantly engaged in agriculture have Guilt
waited over two thousand acres of land; inclosed
their fields with good fences, and materially
aided in the construction of comfortable dwell
ings. They have abandoned Indian customs,
and, as frugal industrious, and successful farm
ers, will compare favorably with the same
number of white citizens in any part of Mime
sofa. ......
If such improvement has been effected in the
course of two brief years with tribe so wild
and barbarous as the Dacotah, how eminently
encouraging to perseverance. although there
have been, with some others, partial failures
and much DISAPPOINTMENT
The Secretaries of War and Interior also
bring to the notice of Congress the impor-
lance of restoring to the War Department
the superintendent and control of the In
dams. The Secretary of War says:
1t is quite impossible to impress upon these
savages the idea of obedience by any other
means than military power. They respect moth.
ing but strong military force, and its proxim-
ity to them is therefore essential. Without that
sort of intimate knowledge of their temper and
disposition which nothing but command over
them could give, it is impossible for this de.
partment to know how and where 70 dispose of
the troops so as to restore quiet and peace on
the part of the numerous tribes scattered over
our immense territory. knowing nothing in
this department of the Indians, except when in
state of actual hostility, it often, indeed, con.
tinually happens that important marches are
necessary to be suddenly made to overawe or
chastise those guilty of threatenings and muir
der, and consequently these movements are
attended with an expense dispropOrtionally
large, but at the same time unavoidable.
It would be very easy to devise plan of re-
gulating the Indian tribes, by which large an.
nual sum of money could be saved to the trea-
sury, by using the officers of the army in dis.
charging many of the duties now performed
by others at high rates of compensation. For
efficiency and economy there is no doubt, in
my opinion, about the propriety of putting the
Indian bureau under the charge OF the War De-
partment.
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs re-
fers to the negotiations had with the
Northern Chippewas for their lands in the
Red River country, in the following terms
The Superintendent of Indian affairs for the
northern superintendency and an experienced
officer of this department was appointed com.
missioners to negotiate with the Chippewas OF
Red Lake and Red River. Here, again, the
negotiations were impeded by the absence of
one of the bands, whose assent was deemed
essential by the Indians themselves. The dele
gates from the Red Lake band demanded
most extravagant price for their land, and
maintained their demand with so much persist
ence, that the commissioners deemed it impos'
sble to conclude treaty, at that time, upon
terms acceptable to the department.. and so
broke up the conference. The department was
influenced, in the terms it offered, by the fact
that the Senate had rejected a treaty, nego-
tiated in 1851, by the Hon. Alexander Ramsey,
then Governor of Minnesota, and eX-Oficio su.
perintendent, by which the Indians agreed to
sell the most valuable portion of their country.
including the valley of the Red River OF the
North, for the sum of two hundred and thirty
thousand dollars. 1t was, therefore, deemed
necessary to demand larger cession for that
sum, while the amplest reservations were con-
CcmplaCoU IOr luuldu OCCupduCys Inc IuOiouo
have since expressed regret for their conduct.
and asked to be permitted to visit Washington
to conclude treaty. Permission has been
given them, and it is expected that treaty
will be shortly concluded.
The disposition of the Indian Department
to renew and conclude negotiations with the
Northern Chippewas, will afford great salts.
faction to the people Of this State. The
speedy extinguishment OF the title held by
these Indians, is Of the highest Importance
to our people, in every point of view. We
only express the universal sentiment, when
we hope that the efforts Of the Indian De-
partment may be successful in the direction
indicated.
WHAT Texas HAS GAINED BY THE UNION.
in l845, when Texas was annexed to the
Union she owed debt of $ll ,050,20l.
L. ko<o how