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Show REPORT OF THE ACTING COMMISPIIONER. 23 ernment. Measures were taken during this year to have them removed back to the Ieased district. Unfortunately sirions obstacles interposed and delayed the movement until lately ; the season was too far advancedfor planting; etreams were very high, and thin appeared the cholera among several of the bands, causing a panic; besides, those whohadlost fi.iends wished to remain for a rvlllle to mourn over the graves of the dead. On the 31st of August reveral of the bands not thus aBictea left for that country, but the disease hroke out among them also and many died. To this cause is attributable the large decrease in the population nf these bands, or tribes, as reported by agent Shanklin. I reeom-mend that liberal provision be made to establish these Indians upon a suitable me rve in the district named, and to pro~ideth em withagricultural implements, cows, cattle, and the means of educating their people. With such assistance, and the assurance that the place is to be tbeir permanent borne, there is no ques-tion but tbat they will rapidly improve. It is suggested that efforts be made to induce any small parties or bands of these Indianswho may he living about the settlements of Texas to remove to the same reservation. GRKEN RAY AGENCY. Slocbbridges and Munsees, 147 of whom reside upon a small reservation in Wisconsin, where they have gained but a meagre subsistence; the rest about 224, have adopted the habits and customs of the whites and desire to beeitizens. By treaty made last February, not ratified, these Indians cede tbeir present res-ervation, and the government agrees to give those who wi ~ hto retain their tribal eharaeter another, allotting land to them in severalty without powerof alienation, unless with sanction of the Interior Department, and to do various things for their benefit; while with regard to those who wish to bewmecitieens it agrees to pay them their propbrtionate share of the estimated value of the ceded land and of improvements thereon, and of the moneys invested and held in trust for them, they to relinquish all claim to be considered hereafter aa members of the tribes, or to sharein the benefits of any treaty etipulations. Such an arrangement will no doubt be of decided benefit to both parties, and it is recommended that the treaty be ratified. Oneidas have aood farm lands. and are uroeressine in the arts of civilized 0 A - life. Many of them are intelligent, industrious, and capable of making good citizens. They have a reservation of over 60.000 acres, of wh~chlessth an 4,000 are in cultivation. and nrobablv not over twice that extent would be needed for all tbeir reasonable osebr purpises. This land marly desire to hold in severalty. I agree with their agent that it would be unwise to allot the whole to them, and think it would be advisable for their interest that they relinquirh by treaty. stipulation their claim to a part of the same, leaving a sufficient quantity wl~ieh; may be allotted and ample for supplying the wants of all. 3 Mmonmees, numbering 1,393, are an industrious ~eoolea, nd would doubtless / present a more fnvorable\speet as to their eondition'inkome respects, had they' not the difieulty to contend with in the unfertility of' their land and the short-ness of the season for maturing crops. This year they have, however, been favored as to their farming uperations, producing better crops than usual; but on this source they cannot depend wholly for support, beuee it becomes neees-aary far them to some extent to engage in other pursuits. Something might be done in teaching those who are apt to learn, a knowledge of the mechanic arts, so that they could do theordinary workof a blacksmith, carpenter, wheelwright, &c.. and receive good wages for their work. The schools cmoug the Menomo-nees are well attended, and to some extent have proved beneficial. Agent Martin thinks tbat they need a school of high gradein which to educate the most promising seholars for teachers, and as examples to set before the tribe of what can he done for them by a better systemof tra~ninganded ucation than is afforded |
