The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-12-19

them in agricultural, manufactures, the
mechanic arts, and household duties, as
we'll as in all the necessary school learn
ing, and protect them from the intrusion
of all other persons. Then, in little
time, instead of the precarious depend
ence, as at present, upon the buffalo, the
deer, and the bear, az the forest for their
subsistence, they would have the OK,
the sheep, aud the swine in tAeir felds at
home, whence they can be at any time
procured This is the present condition
Of the Indians in Western New York, as
has been represented in this report, who,
but comparatively few years ago, gave
no more hopeful promise of improve
ment, or Of their present condition, than
do now the tribes west of the Missis-
sipri Here is great ground of encour-
agement and hope for a brighter future
in store for our Red Brethren of the
West, il only our Government will
calmly weigh the result of the expert
ment of kind treatment and fostering
care of the Indians in Western New
York. There are enough thousands OF
these Indians to make the experiment OF
real value and the more so because they
have been and are divided into separate
bands-minature nationalities-encom-
passed about with destructive influences,
in addition to the inherent tendency in
small communities to become eztinct from
the intermarriage of blood relations, and
to lose heat from the numerical weak
ness of their respective communities.
I'll the New York Indians could live,
and pass the crisis, and begin to thrive
and to increase in population steadily
and permanently, as shown by the re
ports of the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, by the census returns, and by
the message of the Governor Of New
York, there can be no ground for des-
pairing Of like results anywhere where
kind treatment and honest regard for
their rights can be extended to the In-
dian race. for sufficient length Of time
to give them faith in the permanence of
such policy"*
According to the census Of 1850. the
whole number of Indians of both sexes,
aud of all ages, within the limits of the
territory Of the United States was 40O,
764
Tie census of 1860 gives the Indian
population in the States and Territories
not enumerated in the census, and re-
tanning their tribal character, 294.43l. !
The number of Indians in the States
and Territories numbered in the census,
Sc. .662I
Making q total number of Indians in
our country in 1860. 33I, ,093, which
shows decrease of the Indian popula-
tion for the intervening ten years Of 69,-
GIL, or more than one fifth of the whole
population existing in all the States and
Territories of the United States in 1860
A change of our Indian policy on the
part of the Government is, therefore,.
demanded by every consideration of
humanitys Justice, and christianity, to
save thfenoble race from total extinc-
ton; and all experience, observation,
and rejection, point to the plan that is
working so we'll with the New York In
dians, Of collecting them on reserva-
tions, and surrounding them with the
fostering care and protection Of the
Government, as the true solution Of this
part of the difficult Indian problem.
The startling events among the In
dians West OF the Mississippi, and the
great number of lives lost both Of In
dams and whites during the past year.
have awakened the attention OF most
rejecting minds to the Indian question,
aud the Committee have therefore been
induced to present in this report the
two prominent points, after peace shall
be secured, and disposition again pre-
vail on the part of the Government to
do the Indians justice, to which we think
the efforts of Friends and of those who
have the true interests of the Indians at
heart shonld be directed, in order that
the Meeting may express its Judgment
thereon.
The Committee have received a num-
Der of letters of affecting interest from
the Indians West of the Mississippi, and
the principal contents of one Of these
from Enmegahbowh. of Minnesota, an
Indian, and q Missionary among his
people, we think it right to append to
the present report, as being calculated.
by its touching eloquence, and stirring
appeals to our race, to keep alive
feeling in favor of the poor Indian-the
Red Man of the forest-in the hearts Of
our precious young people:
WASHINGTON. d. c.,
Feb. Oath, 1867.
DEAR Sir: IL was very sorry to have
50 short talk with you in the Indian
There are many things
that wanted to say, and make known
to you. It always interests Us (Indians)
whenever we meet with the friends Of
the Red Man especially with the peo-
pie OF him who first shook hands with
the Indians on this continent-Wm
Penn, the great and noble man, the Red
Man'e friend. We know that his de
scendents are yet living, scattered
throughout this great country, who have
yet the same. mind, and tie same heart
to do the Red Man good
81 came here with this delegation OF
my poor people, partly to assist them in
making treaty with this great Govern
ment, and partly,-which concerns me
most dearly,-to forward nay nsissioa
scork amongst my own people. on the
head waters OF the Great Mississippi.
day, We feel the pressare, and the rapid
march Of civilization towards us. The
rzhifa man 18th his rarid anoad Ia