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Show REPORT OF TnE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. DEPARTXEROFT T HE INTERIOK, O&ce of Indian Affairs, October 31, 1863. SIR : In submitting this, my third annual report, I regret that, in consequence of the failure of several of the superin%ndents and the agents connected with their superintendencies to mske their annual reports as required by the regula-tions of the department, I am unable to present as fully as I otherwise would the condition of our relations with the Indians throughout the country. The accompanying papers, consisting of such annual reports as have been recLived from superintendents and agents, and of such other communications to, and correspondence with, this office, as is believed to he of interest to the public, will lxesent in detail the information and suggestions upon which I have acted in conducting the business of the office during the past year, and in the prepara-tion of this report. A perusal of these papers will, as I believe, show that while our relations with the Indians of the country are not in all respects satis-factory, and in some localities are interrupted by actual hostilities, they are, in the main, as much so as, in view of the great social and political disturbances growing out of the present war for the maintenance of the entire social and political fabric, is reasonably to be e~pected. Before proceeding to treat particularly of the wants and requirements peculiar to the respective superintendencies and independent agencies from which annual reports have been received, 1-desire to submit for your consideration a few sug-gestions in regard to the general management of our Indian relations, which, if carried into effect, will, I believe, be attended with the most beneficial re-sults. As the end and object of all governments ihould be the happiness and welfare of the governed, so the object of all our efforts in behalf of the Indian should be the improvement of his condition, and to that end the adoption of that policy which promises the most rapidly to increase his intelligence, promote his happiness, and finally effect his civilization. The plan of concentrating Indians I and confining them to reservations may now be regarded as the fixed policy of the government. The theory of this policy is doubtless correct; but I am satisfied that very grave errors have been committed in carrying it into effect. ~rominenia, nd perhaps the chief among these, is the establishment of numerous I small reservations within a given territory. While these reservations remain i |
