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Show THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS When the War Department was created b~ Congress under the act of August 7, 1789, the duties assigned to it included those "rel-ative to Indian &airs." A Bureau of Indian Affairs was organized in the War Depart-ment an March 11, 1824, with Thomas L. McKenney as its chief, I and among the duties to which he was assigned were: The admin-istration of the fund for the civilization of the Indians, under reg-ulations established by the department, the examination of the claims arising out of the laws regulating the intercourse with Indian tribes, and the ordmary correspondence with superintendents, agents, and subagents. He was succeeded September 30, 1830, by Samuel - S. Hamilton, whose successor about one yearlater was Elbert Herring. By the act of Jul 9, 1832, there was created in the War Depart-ment the office of 6ommissioner of Indian -Mairs, who, subject to the Secretary of War and the President, should have "the direction and management of all Indian affairs and a11 matters arising out of Indian relations." On June 30, 1834, an act was passed ''to provide for the organiza- ' tion of the Department of Indian Maim." Under this enactment certain agencies were established and others abolished, and provision was made for subagents, interpreters, and other employees, the pay-ment of annuities, the purchase and distribution of supplies, etc. This may be regarded as the organic law of the Indian Department. When the Depmtment of the Interior was created by act of March 3, 1849, the Bureau of Indian Main was transferred thereto, and hence passed from military to civil control. Section 441 of the Revlsed Statutes provides that "the Secretary of the Interior is charged with the supervision of public business relating to * * * the Indians." Section 463 of the Revised Statutes reads: "The Commissioner of Indian Affairs shall, under the direction of the Secretary of the Inte-rior and agreeable to such regulations as the President may prescribe, have the management of all Indian affairs, and of all matters arising out of Indian relations." I Conzmisaioners of Indian Affairs Georstsries of War. Eving a l l oil following Saeretnrles of the Interior. m |
