, 1865-09-03

Secretary Idnrlanss Instructions to the
Commissioners for the Fort Smith
mec4tnEa Septeubcf lst.

Meeting, September 1st.
From the LcavenHorta 1}nllclfn, e8th nlt1
II VIII be Interesting to our readers to know
something Of the Instructions which ure to
control the Commissioners In their negotta-
tions With the Indians; and rs We have been
furnished By Secretary Hnrlan, we take pleas
ure in presenting brief synopais to our
readers.
They are empowered to negotiate treaties
or compacta With any or all Of the Indian
tribes, and require them to, live In peace and
amity With the United States !. and when dir
fesences between themselves arise, the ques.
tionH at variance are to bc referred to the Pre-
sidcnt- II Is intended that the Indians shall
orgaukc, among themselves, civil govern
ment, containing guarantees Of tue rights
Of Ps9ns and eoo9c o RFopffty se aaa ssfsosh =
bc co extensive Win their territory, and
Whote powe1s shall be limited to general pnr-
poses Of control and consolidation. The mem.
bers Of such Commission are to be elected by
the resident tribes, pro rata, and with powers
tie Congress Of tue United States, and it ani-
moeitics exist between nny Of tho tribes which
prayent a reconciliation, they are to have q
separate organization, md be regarded as IN
dcpcndcnt tribes. Slavery among them Is to
be forever abolished: 4 large amount Of
the breaking out Of tho rebellion, and nov IN
! the hands Of the Indians, rcnn::ccsent only 4
nominal va1ue. II the ..iudlans desire It, these
boods mr. 70 g sold for what they will br:- ~,
in open n:rket. md the proceeds r. csted faS
thef" - -. uniteA States sonas. Treaties
,s.ic1, have heretofore been made
With tribss that have since been 1n hostility
to the Gore. .nfnent, arc to be abrogated.
Treaties made viii. tf1bcs who are incapable
/ nf a5,o3f
provide Inst all annuities ehall be paid In
stock, goods, implements Of hcspandry, &c.
Tbt Commissioners are to mike tile Indians
understand that the tide Of emigration L. pro-
PEELED By laws that are beyond the Presideut's
control, and that Il be could, he would not
pling the pralriea md the forests with q bct-
Ter civilization and TINT In view OF this suc-
cessfu1 march Of habltat.on, their removal to
reservations provided by the Government has
become essential: To secure to them tho un-
disturbed possession Of the territory, clausc
shall be inserted prohibiting any white per-
son, except duly appointed officers Of the
Government, rom settling or visiting their
reservations -
The Commissioners arc to ascertain the
actual population Of each tribe and nation, aud
locate them as fur rs possible from the direct
routes Of travel oyer the plains, antl specially
stipulate that any amendment to these trea-
| tics, which may be hereafter made by the
sennte Of the United Statcs, shall be binding
upon them. The attention Of the Commis.
sioncrs Is speeiarls called to tho establishment
of schools and benevolent societies, to the en-
conrngcIaent Of agriculture and other Indus
tria1 pursuits, and By crery means In their
power to reduce their uaorganized and SAVAGE
mode Of life to something Of system and civil
lzation.
or course the whole subject Is left largely
to tho discretion of the Commissioners but
with such general rules for their action, md
the high Character Of the mcn to whom this
work las been entrusted, We may hope for the
| most sa2ptqry and beneficial results.