Year: 1863

that am induced to advise their emigra-
ton. 1t is with extreme reluctance that
| they will consent to leave their homes, and
the government cannot be justified in re-
| quiring them to emigrate, unless it can be
satisfactorily shown that the Indians will
be benefited thereby in everything that
may relate to their security, happiness and
future prosperity.


From inquiries made Of persons well ac-
quainted with the country of the Upper
Missouri river, it is believed that lOca-
ton may be found for these Indians bor-
dering upon the river Missouri and some
of its tributaries, with at least two natural
boundaries, of the quality as to wood,
water, and adaptation to agriculture de-
| scribed in the bill herewith sent for your
consideration, where the Winnebagoes
may be established with better prospects
of sooner being able to sustain themselves,
Independent of the government, than in
their present location. ....
AS the WinnebagOes are without any
| fault sufficient to justify any substantial
complaint, it is but just that if the govern
ment requires their removal their new





cost, and that they shall have the benefit
of the sale of their present reservations,
which it is supposed will realize to them,
at least, $3.50, 1000; and to that extent it
is to be hoped they will be benefited if
they are required to remove from the State.
1t but remains to notice the band of
Sioux remaining in the State. Those who
are now in captivity in the vicinity of Fort
Smelling are prepared and expect to sub
nit themselves and their future abode to
the will of the government.


The country immediately west of Big
Stone lake in Dakota Territory has been
described by persons acquainted as pos
sessing many attractions calculated to
make a suitable home for these Indians;
but as that locality is in the vicinity of
their present reservation, if they are es-
tablished upon it, it is probable that appre-
tensions will continue to exist, both with
the whites and the Indians, and ending in
frequent collisions. And it being repre-
sented that there is an ample unOccupied
country upon the Missouri river suitable
for their habitation, where they can sus-
tain themselves by their industy, it is
thought the better plan to remove them
there. To do this considerable sums of
money will be necessary, so that they can
support themselves by agriculture and if
it be determined to require them to leave
the State Of Minnesota, it is hoped that
there will be no hesitation in making
the amount adequate to the necessities of
these Indians. 1t must be remembered
that numbers who will be required to emf
CRATE had no part or lot in the recent
barbarities Of the Sioux, but were passive
in some instances in others, active in pro-
tecting the whites. That they are now
captives, because it was their misfortune
to be of the Sioux, and that they are now,
and if removed, forever to be deprived of
the comfortable and substantial houses and
improved farms on which they have lived
and expected to continue for all time, ac-
cording to the treaty with the United
States.


Much discretion should be left with the
Secretary to provide for those Indians to
be removed. Common justice requires
that those who are without fault shall be
established in their new homes, and placed
in as good condition as before.


The bill herewith, if enacted into law,
will accomplish the object desired


Many of the Winnebagoes and Sioux
are intelligent and Industrious farmers,
ambitious and proud of any success they
may gain in that direction. Were these
people skilfully located in fertile district
and properly encouraged, it is not unrea-
sonable to expect that they will be enabled
to produce sufficient of breadstuffs and the
esculents to sustain themselves, and also
the wayfaring who may be found in their
borders; and when the approaching tide
of white emigration shall reach them, that
they will have become sufficiently enlight-
ened to resist the torrent, and be found
mingling among the mass Of mankind with
equal rights, acknowledged by ALL


Economy will probably be best promo
ted by leaving the mode OF removing these
Indians, whether by land or by water, to
the Secretary Of the Interior 1t will al
ford an opportunity to avail of the cheap
est and most expeditions mode when the
time arrives.


With many the power to remove these
Indians without their consent will be ques-
toned, basing their objections upon the
treaties. If, however, the resolution now
before the Senate, abolishing all treaty
stipulations with the Sioux, shall be adopt
ed, that will remove the difficulty, SO far
as they are concerned.


With the Winnebagoes, the 4th article
of the treaty of April 15, 1859, provides
that former treaties may be modified and
changed by the President, with the assent
of Congress. And it is expressed that this
is to be done to render unnecessary any
other treaty engagements between the
parties


But aside from these considerations,
which it is believed render the proposed
action unobjectionable, it is to be cOnsid-
cred whether the policy of the govern
! ment in treating with the Indians is to be