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Show wanton and disgraceful breach of national faith, and all the more so because of th& undoubted loyalty and their physical inability to resist any policy we may seek to force upon them. With the tribes of the southern superintendency the circumstances are dif-ferent. They occupy one of, the most desirable portions of the American conti-nent, sufficiently ample in extent to afford a home and country, not only for them, but also for all those tribes who will probably desire to share itwith them. Besides this, no considerable number of whites are now there. Here, then, is a country which, by judicious, just, and forbearing action on our part, may he made a happy home for a large portion of our Indians, and where we have reason I to believe thei may successfully solve the problem of Indian civilization. As above remarked, most, if not all, of the tAbes now there have, in a greater or leas degree, compromised their rights under existing treaties. To a greater or less extent, they have participated in the great rebellion with which we are now struggling. When thc rebellion is subdued it will be no easy task to re-adjust our relations with thispeople. In doing this two prominent facts must be borne in mind: first, that at the commencement of the rebellion all our forces were withdrawn from them, and many of them, doubtless, forced'to join hands with the rebels; and, secondly, that thousands of them have been driven into exile, l and endured untold suffe~ings, because of their unwavering loyalty to us and their fidelity to their treaty stipulations. To restore these, fugitives to their homes, to reinstate them in their former' possessions, is plainly our duty. To devise a policy which shall discriminate between those who are willingly traitors and those made so by circumstances will require careful thought and delibera-tion. I invoke for the whole subject the careful considcration of. Congress, and the adoption of such measures as, in its wisdom, it may seem to demand. SOUTHERN SUPERINTENDENCY. Refening to my last annual report, it will he seen that, at that date, we were in possession of but little accurate information in relation to the Indians of this superintendency. Owing to the rebellion, neither the superidtendent nor any of the agents (ex cepting the agent for the Neosho agency) had been able to repair to their respec-tive posts of duty. I t was believed, however, that a strong Union sentiment existed amongst the various tribes, which only needed military force sufficient to protect the loyal to secure its development. What was then believed has since been aemo?strated in the strongest possible manner. In no part of the country have the sufferings and privations endured, and the sacrifices made by loyal citizens, on account of their fidelity to their country, exceeded those of the loyal , mdians of this superintendency. Among the earliest efforts of the seceded States was an endeavor to sever the ls. allegiance of thk Indians to the government, and secure their co-operation. The fact that the agents first appointed by the present administration to reside with them all proved traitors to their tmst rendered this effort partially successful. ' ' |