Year: 1870




army officers in any civil capacity thereby Pe,n ~
relieving those who detailed for duty as nn or
mined still further carry out the principle by InVs
other religious OF the country TO engage IN
respondence was opened With different missionary asso
Citations, explaining TO them the purpose and desire ol
the Government to combine with tho material progress
OF the Indian race for their moral and intellect
ual Improvement and II they concuTred In the pan ask
ing good Christian characters would be willing to ac-
cept the position and discharge the duties OF In,
dian agents, and who would at the same Tune
lend their personal and official influence TO
such educational and missionary or religious enterprises
a wise and humane Under political management
for long series of years. and the expenditure % large
little progress toward that healthful Christian
civilization in which arc embraced the clements ts
OF the material wealth and intellectual ana moral
development. Indeed, 1t has seemed 20 hnmanarlans
that the the Indian was brought into contact WIN
modern civilization the more degraded he became, learn
ing only its vices and adopting none OF It's vrtues-o
therefore dernier resort to save dying race-pnt
the President wisely determined to invoke the co0pera-


ton OF the entire religious element OF the country 70
help by their labOrs and cOunsels to bring about ana
produce the greatest amount OF good iron
The expenditure of the munificent annual P ap,
civilization and Characterization OF the Indian race
Most OF the religious organizations promptly responded
in its execution Men Of their designation have been
appointed Agents some OF whom have gone out 70 sr en-
Tho prayers Of all good Christians VIII go with them
that they may succeed in the great work Tor when hey





the country generally will approve the course adopted,
and give 1t all the support necessary


RAILROAD PROJECTS IN THE INDIAN COUNTRY.


The rapid construction of railroads branching into every
section Of the country is matter of serious i'm
port to the Indians generally. Grants of land given by
Congress in aid OF roads in the West
must inevitably and unavodaMy interfere with
many Indian reservations. Diversity OF opinion exists
among the various tribes Of the Indian Territory by rea
OF the projected roads north SOUTH east and west
through that Territory and other roads ID the Souh ann


ing to reach the Pacific will Of necessity pass through
the immense tracts Of Indian country or the country
claimed by them. so with the Northern Pacific, which
road must necessarily Though several reservations
the quiet possession OF which Ia guaranteed 10 the
Indians by the solemn faith OF treaties Other roads are
projected through the Great Sioux District the Sioux
are powerful and warlike tribe OF Indians IN
the United States and their persistent and determined
opposition 10 railroads is well known. -


Any attempt Therefore to penetrate the country in this
way must produce collision. These are matters which
should receive the attention Of the authorities or the
and Congress- and such steps be early taken
Will avoid all difficulty. Very respectfully your obe
dent servant. Il. ;. PARKER COMMANDER.


The Hon. j. u. Cox Secretary Of the Interior.