OCR Text |
Show I REPORT OF CO3lJIlSSIONER. 5 to them by the treaty, it was also stipulated that it should be explored by a :snitable delegation to be selected for. that purpose. This exploration took . place in the summer of 1850, but from representations made to the Depart- ment, it appears that the Indians, previously dissatisfied with the treaty, are dissatisfied also with the country assigned to them, and manifest the, greatest reluctance to remove. The fall of last year was the period fixed upon for their removal; but owing to their urgent appeals, and those of many of the whites in their immediate vicinity, and in consideration of their peaceful habits, the President granted tl~eni pern~ission to remain until the 1st of June, of the present year. At the expiration of this last named period, it being known that they had made no arrangements, and were in no condition to emigrate, the President again, at their earnest soli-citation, consented that they might remain a twelvemonth longer, on con-dition, however, that they should not interfere with the public surveys, and with the distinct understanding that this extension of time was to be con-sidered an act of favor, they being still subject to re~novala t his discretion; and of this Superintendent Murray was instructed to take care that they should be fi~llya dvised. Of the nature of their alleged grievances the su-perintendent was also informed, and he was directed, by instructions from this Department, of the 4th June last, at as early a period as practicable, to acquaint himself tho~oughlyin regard to their condition, and to make a full report thereof. In order. too, that the President might act advisedly on their petition to occupy permanently a part of the ceded territo~y,t he su-perintendent was also instructecl to examine ihe country; to report all the facts bearing on this particular subject; and to furnish all other infortnation nece%wry to a correct understanding of the conne of policy proper to be pursued in regard to the future disppmition and management of the tribe. In pursuance of these instructions, the superintendent has reported in favor of their being permitted to ren~ain in Wisconsin, on a particular tract of limited extent, more remote fro111 the whites than that on which they now reside, and well adapted10 their use, and which, fro111 other reliable infornl-ation, it is understood \%-ill not be required by our enligating population for niany years to come. The extreme poverty of this tribe, their harmless disposition and habits, and their inability to remove to the country assigned them without aid from the Government, operate forcibly in inducing me to recommend that they be permitted to occupy the tract designated for their fnture residence by Superintendent Murray in his report, a copy of which is herewith transmitted. Should this course be adopted, another treaty will be necessary, providing, among other things, for a relinquishment of their title to the lands in Minnesota set apart by the treaty of 1848 for their future home; which lands it is to be remarked, in consequence of their proxi~nity to the Mississippi river, will, in all probability, be more strongly desired for settlement by the whites than those on which it is proposed to allow them to remain. In the mean tinie, other important quesrious con-nected with this tribe, and which formed the siibject of a special commu-nication from this office, a copy of which is herewith submitted, may be duly considered, and such provision made for the benefit of this people, as the peculiar hardship of their condition, and their fntnre well being, may appear to require. A treaty was made with the Ottowas and Chippewas in 1536, by which they cede all their lands in the State of Xichigan, resewing, however, for their own use, certain tracts and sections therein particularly described- |