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Show COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 19 Indians are not embraced by that act, there are many equally just remaining unsatisfied. The subject not having been under the juris-diction of this office, I am not apprized of the particular grounds of that decision ; but the diatindion made has caused much dissatis-faction ; and as it is but just that all should be compensated for their services, I would recommend such legislation as mar be deemed necessary to secure them the value of this right in moue!-, and pro-viding for the adjudication of their claims in this office. In several of the western States and Territories there are bands of strolling Indians, who have from time to time become severed from the tribes to which they belong. They are generally in a deplorable condition, and are a great annoyance to the white population. They ought to be removed to their tribal home, or some other disposition made of them; and to accomplish which an appropriation by Con-gress will he necessary, as there are now no funds at the disposal of the department applicable. I deem it my duty to call attention to a recent transaction of a character clearly illustrating the propriety and duty of strictly adhering to the policy of exercising, as far as possible, such a super-vision and control over the moneys payable to the Indians as will secure to them the full benefit thereof, and prevent their being fleeced by designing men, under corrupt and iniquitous contracts or oblig* tions, which in their ignorance and simplicity they have been induced or seduced to sign; or by the recognition and allowance of claims and demands against them, having no foundation in right or justice. It having become known that the Menomonee Indians had mani-. fested dissatisfaction with the treaty made with them in 1848, and. that they were probably entitled to a larger compensation than that stipulated for the lands which they tkreby ceded, they were induced t o enter into a contract with an individlial to prosecute a claim against the government therefor, and to agree to allow him one-third of the. sum which might be recovered. About the same time a large amount of claims of traders and others =ere raked up to be prosecuted. against the Indians, and to be paid out of such sum, although a fund. had been set apart by the treaty of 1848, and applied by the Indians t o the settlement and payment of their indebtedness, and which was. doubtless considered amply sufficient to cover all the just and valid claims against them. The compensation for the prosecution and' recovery of these claims against the Indians was understood to be one-. half the amount so recovered. The two transactions were apparently in different hands, but there can be no doubt but that they were the. joint and partnership operations between some three individuals. See accompanying papers in the Appendix, marked A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, and 0, of which B, C, F, G, and H, but recently came into the possession. of this office, and to all of which your particular attention is called. Letter H, is a copy of an agree-. ment with au individual who had but recently been the agent for the. Indians, and was therefore, doubtless, supposed to be able to exercise an influence over them, by which, for a contingent compensation ot $10,000, he was obligated to throw no obstacle in the way of the: |