Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-05

,ty, just at the time when the Governments and
the public sentiment Of the country are es-
| pecially enlisted in their behalf and that the
meeting Of this Council is but the beginning
| of an epoch In the history Of the Red Man
| After the adoption of the report alluded to,
| an able committee Of twelve was appointed to
draft constitution to conform to the treaties
under which this Council was called, the mem.
| ters of which are very much in earnest in the
matter.
| In our visits to the various tribes of Indians
| the present season, we are happy to say that
| we have witnessed much to encourage us in
| the belief that the present policy OF the Presi-
dent and Congress in behalf Of the Indians of
| the United States is showing evidence Of sue
cess. 1t inspires courage aud confidence In
| the Indian, and we trust will give still greater
encouragement as time rolls on, by the con-
tinued fostering care of Congress and the
faithful performance of the duties devolving
upon its agents. 0@ ~
We were gratified and deeply interested in
a visit to the Legislature of the Cherokee Ma
ton, convened at Talequah, consisting of q
Senate and lower House, Governor or Chief
and Council. We were kindly received in .
joint session of both Houses, and witnessed
display of talents, ability, intelligence and
dignity in the management of business becom-
ing any legislative body of white men. At
Okmulgee we attended the sttings OF the Gen.
eral Council, and were equally impressed with
the dignity and intelligence manifested by the
delegates in attendance from the various TRIBES
Your committee in their visit also witnessed
fresh evidence of the improving condition and
| advancement towards general civilization of
the Indian race under the new peace policy of
Congress. s
On the various important subjects claiming
the attention Of the council, grave delibera-
ton, good order, cordial expressions of sense
and duty, with high tone OF intelligence, pre-
vailed.
The general interest manifested for the ed
| ucation OF their children is very encouraging.
Although they have numerous schools in OPP
Grafton, still we learned they were DESTROYS
of increasing the number, and needed more
| in order to extend to all equal advantages in
| this respect
| The country of the Indians is of superior
quality, with an abundant supply of timber
and excellent land; and is capable Of sustain
| ing large number of the Indians now in the
| United States. Comparatively small portion
of the lands in the Territory are at present
| improved, and there is great deficiency in
| the roads, and a lack of facilities for reaching
market, and a neglect of general internal inn
provements. 8ass,
Your committee are particularly pleased
| with the exertions made by the civilized tribes
for the purpose of inducing the wild tribes of
the plains to come in and adopt the habits Of
those who have preceded them in civilization.
The project of inducing these wild tribes TO
come under the care of the civilized tribes,
through the instrumentality of the latter, in
| connection with white people, looks already
very encouraging, and your Committee can
not but hope that special attention will be di-
rected to this subject Its success will tend
greatly to solve the Indian problem, and put
an end to future Indian troubles on our ex-
treme borders. In our intercourse with the
Assemblies we endeayor to explain the ear
nest wish of our Government to unite and en-
courage Indians in their efforts to congregate
and adopt all the usages of civilization.
In all our meetings we found kindly and
courteous responses to our suggestions, and
we trust that before many years elapse there
will be large aggregation of the wilder tribes
in the ample territory now specially occupied
| by Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Creeks
and other Indians, who have abandoned nos
madic life, and are now happy and prosperous.
| In conclusion, your committee express their
| belief that frequent visits to the Indians and
their councils by persons in authority will
continue TO meet with happy results, as tend
| ing to renew general confidence in this
special friendly movement of the Government
and to secure the cooperation of the friends
of the Indians.
ROBERT CAMPBELL, Chairman.
JNo. V. FARwELL, Chicago,
JOHN ID. LANG, Maine,
Committee of Board to visit Okmulgee
Council.
st. Louis, Dec. %, 1870.