The New York herald., 1872-12-08
THE INDIAN COMMISSIONERS RE-
PORT.
An Official yindicatiOn of the Peace
Policy with the AbOrigines.


Policy with the Ab0rig ines.
WASHINGTON Dec. z 1872.
The following is a synopsis OF the fourth annual
report of the Board of Indian Commissioners
After three years OF the workings of the peace
policy the Board find cause Tor congratulations that
their antcipatlons OF success In their attempts to
civiiZe the nOmadG trioes of Indians which they
expressed In their first annual report have been
FAR fulfilled that there is now reasonable assurance
thai the object In view Is being rapidly attained.
The operation OF the new system, under which
their agents and the various missionary societies
have evmced personal interest in their welfare,
has called into life confidence IN the justice and
humanity OF the whites heretofore unknown, and,
indeed, on the part of the Indians corresponding
disposition to help themselves Nearly hve-siXtns
OF the Indians of the United States are now either
civilized or partly civilized; yet this fact appears
to be but little known, and when murder by an
Indian is announced the whole race is held
sp0nsibe. The various fraudulent means by which
agencies were formerly made fruitful sources
from which large fortunes were speedily drawn
are now nearly, II not altOge ther, abandoned. and
is received, the government receives full value for
money appropriated I'm some cases AT more Ia
vorabe rates than other buyers), and the Indian
gets all he is fully entitled to by law. Instead OF
sending out detachments OF soldiers to pursue the
hostile bands, VINO were but rarely overtaken and
seldom beaten and who in consequence had very
mistaken views Of their own numerical superb
Ority, they are now taken to the East and made to
feel from actual observation the futlty OF war.
The success OF this plan is undOubted.
The various religious denominations have
pended large sums OF money in their endeavors
been marked, the Presbyterian, Methodist and
Episcopal missions alone having admitted during
Chippewas and Nez Perces TO church membership.
The Board, during the three years OF its
existence have have travelled in the perform, dnc
miles This year the chairman and secretary Wis
tied the Crow and Blackfeet agencies in Montana,
Fort Hall in Idaho Wind River agency in Wyoming,
and were present at the Ute council in Colorado.
The Purchasing and Executive Committees OF the
Board operated with as much success as hereto
them. The Apache troubles, which IN the begin
ming OF the year assumed such nenacing aspect,
owing to mismanagcmcnt, were by the Judcious
and peaceful course pursued, averted. Even
here the effects of humane treatment are
shown in remarkable decrease in the number of
indian depredations during the last two years. The
Sioux and other tribes on the Northern Pacific
construction, the slight opposition heretofore
countered being the result of rather precipitate
action probably necessary on the part OF the rail
road officials
Generally it may be said that an observance of
treaty obligations by the government has
OF the Indians, and In some cases the
govern ment only has failed to keep faith. The
Board are convinced tnat 1t is the imperative duty
OF the government to adhere to it's treaty stipula
tons with the civilized tribes of the Indian Terr
1oty Ioton Ia h tney are rapidly & IN civ
Territory with a smaller area than any OF the Ter
ritories, has population exceeding any. with the
than the combined white population OF Montana
Idaho, Dakota, Arizona and Wyoming. 1t has
more acres OF laiiu under cultivation tnan any
other Territory IN the United states, and the
amount OF grass, &C. raised Is more than 81 times
greater than is raised IN either Utah, New Mexico
or Colorado. This eiYectually dsposes OF the state
mcnt that there rs an unreasonable amount of land
lying idle there as compared with other portions of
the United States. Even II there were, although
the Board do not believe that the abOrginals
should hold large tracts OF waste land, to the eX-
cluson OF civilization simply because they were the
first occupants, all the land in the Indian Territory
is secured to the Indians by treaty not as gilt, but
in exchange for ample consideration received by
the United States. For this reason, II for no other
no attempt should be made, directly or indirectly,
to open ii up for white settlement without having
first obtained the consent OF the civilized tribes.
As 1t Is, the nnoccupied lands, If kept FOR Indians
to be transported. will release for settlement more
valuable lands IN other parts OF the country. The
Board deems ii matter OF congratulation that
the public opinion OF the country Is so rapidly
crystallizng into purposes OF justice and hu-
vun nnffv