Year: 1875

for all their future until they come tC citizenship. it must insist that they shall get the most good out of theil funds: that il will be greatly to theil good to learn to labor, and that, there fore. the government will insist that they shall labor as a condition of getting this money. Would not the mora sense of mankind indOrse this posi- ton and action of the government Especially when it is kept in mind that the labor required of the Indian is not for the benefit of the govern ment, but is exclusively for himself labor upon his own house and farm from which he is to derive the entire benefit, and which in crops and i'm provements will bring him, with scarce ly an exception, in immediate re. turns, from ten to twenty fold the amount of his money annuity. And tLis without taking into consideration the lauch greater benefit which has been forced upon the Indian by his own labor, leading him to acquire habits Of industry and learn fresh les sons in ,e.f-C ,v-tnmCnt.

 The case which I have suprOsed is an extraordinary one in my experience in Indian affairs, and the method of foreign industry, as illustrated, has been in operation among several Ind ian tribes within the last two years with most gratifying results in induc- ing industry and promoting the happi- ness and comfort of the Indians. 1 could give you an instance Of a tribe, accustomed for fOrty-two years to re- ceive from $50 to $500 per family an nually, who had been occupying one of the richest tracts of land in the United States, and yet has become every year more squalid and wretched, and generally had been annually brought into a starving condition with in q few weeks after receiving their annua! cash payment These Indians were very much aggrieved and angered when, under my order, the Agent compelled them to go to work on their own land and make a crop for themselves as condition for receiving their own money. They plead their rights and the faith of the government l plead in answer their necessities and the purpose of the government to benefit them, and held them to it. The result is a complete transforma- lion in the habits and prospects of tha, tribe They get good crops from their farms. their children are coming into school; they are taking their land in severalty, putting up houses and acquiring stock and need only to be held steadily to the present restrictions for a few years, five at the most, when they will come into proper condition for citizenship, without any cost to the government, additional to the funds which have every year been worse than wasted upon them Tn cash annui- ties for twenty years. think you will agree with me not only that the gov trnmCnt mad the right 10 so use the annuitics of this tribe as to enforce this industry, but also that, in human ity and kind dealing, it had the right as their guardian and friend to do the best thing for them, viz: not longer to give them their annuities in any other way. After a few years of such treatment, if the treaty obligations still continue and a. Indians have acquired habits of industry, it may be safe and advantageous to again give them part or the whole of their an- nuities in cash. Very respectfully, your ohedient servant,

 E. P. SMITH, Commissioner.