The national Republican., 1867-01-22
How ,,,c Indinns nrc SvIu,lIcd.

Among the most active causes which lead
TO Indian outbreaks and outrages in the
Western country, is no doubt the bad faith
exercised towards them in the payment Of
the annuities for which they have sold large
tracts Of land to the Government. To be
compelled TO leave their ancient homes and
hunting grounds at the bidding Of the white
man is q surrender Of sovereignty peculiarly
disugreeable and calling, and the annual dis
tribution among the Indian tribes Of blan-
kets, cloths, trinkets and tools, is but poor
salve for the lacerated feelings and wounded
pride which accompany them to the new
homes selected for them, even when honestly
conducted; but when these unfortunate peo-
pie are plundered and imposed upon, as the
report made by Senator Nesmith, Of Oregon,
shows that they are, the wonder is that they
are SO peaceful. The Senator visited many
tribes IN Oregon, Washington and Idaho per-
sonally, and therefore speaks from actual
knowledge. In the first place, the annuities,
instead Of being paid on gold basis, ns they
should be, having been established when
gold was at par, are paid in deprecated cur
rency, by which the Indians are subjected to
severe loss. Next, the goods distributed
are mostly worthless and very different from
the invoices. Mr.. Nesmith remarks:
From the personal inspection which l
have given those goods, and on comparing
them with the invoices, am thoroughly con-
vinced that the contractors are guilty Of the
most outrageous and systematic s,oindling
and robbery Their acts can be properly
characterized by no other terms. There Is
evidence also that the persons employed in
the department to make the purchases are
accomplices in these crimes. have ex.
anined invoices Of purchases made by the
department or its agents in Eastern cities,
where the prices charged were from fifty TO
one hundred per cent above the market
value Of good articles. Upon an examina.
general thing, worthless and deficient in
quantity. Among them were steel spades,
made OF sheet iron; 'chopping axes,' which
were purely cast iron; best brogans,' with
paper soles; BLANKETS made Of shoddy and
glue, which came 10 shreds the first time
they were wet, &C., &C., &c.
add to these villainous purchases, made
with deprecated currency, the fact that the
goods ore generally sent by the most expen
sive means Of transportation, and it can be
easily imagined how small proportion is re
ceiyed by the Indians But the folly OF
wrong Of these purchases, made by dishonest
agents from dishonest contractors, does moi
cease here. Many articles are purchased
which would be utterly useless to the In
dians, il their quality was ever so good, such
as iron spoons, mirrors, gimlets, jewsharps
hair oil, finger rings, and, In one case which
came under my observation, forty dozen pair:
of elastic gdrters were sent out to tribe in
which there was not single pair Of stock
ings"
The articles are very deficient in quantity
as well as quality, the parcels falling shori
of the required amount Most of the woolen
goods are rotten and utterly worthless
Large sums, too, are squandered upon gew.
gaws and trinkets that are Of no possible use
to the Indians, while they were destitute Of
seeds, teams, and agricultural implements
with which to improve their condition. Not
a dollars worth Of goods intended for distri.
button among the Indians upon the Pacific
coast, says Mr.. Nesmith, should be purchased
wooden goods which the Indians require are
manufactured in Oregon and California, and
sold at reasonable prices.
Mr. Nesmith says the depredations upon
the Indian funds commence sometimes before
and al'odyS soon after they get out Of the
Indian Bureau at Washington, and to such
an extent that by the time the goods reach
the agent who is to distribute them there is
nothing left either in quantity or quality tC
tempt his cupidity. A law Of Congress for
bidding purchases Of goods to be made ex
cept "pon the requisitions Of the Indian
agents, is systematically violated, purchases
being made and forwarded without the least
regard TO the agents or their acquisitions
AS matters are now conducted goods are
sent by the most expensive routes, th,
freight often being four or FIVE times tn,
value Of the goods; the goods are sometimes
not received till a year after they shoult
have been received, and purchases wholly
unsuited to the wants Of the Indians arr
made. Fancy mirrors, two inches in diane
ter, at five dollars per dozen; steel weedinl
hoes, ft only for use by some delicate lady
frying pans Of thin sheet-iron, and simia
articles are bought. The agent in Oregon
asked for "small steel plows," and they sen
him "fancy mirrors" he asked for "harnes
for ponies" and they sent him "frying pan
and knitting needless" he asked for "axe
/ and grain cradles" and they responded witt
= scissors and iron spoons" Such are som
Of the abuses which Mr. Nesmith has fcrrete
out and exposed.