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Show 170 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. This shows what the presence of a Christian woman will do. In regard to these certifi-cates of allotment of lands to Indians, I think, if it is possible, the Government should give them some better title and secure them more firmly in the homes that they have been led to believe belonged to them. Especially should this be done in view' of the many railroad interests to be found in the West. The Indians do not seem to be appre-hensive, but their friends are, and there is certainly cause for serious concerns. The whites are antagonistic to the present policy of Indian civilization and to all who have charge of it. I followed Mr. Colyer through some portions of the West this fall, and if I had not known him personally I should have become strongly prejudiced against him from the manner in which he was abused by the people. There is great danger that, if the Indians are not firmly secured in the possession of their homes, but are liable to be moved from time to time, the \ vork which has been done by those at present engaged in the good cause will have to be done over again. The board of Indian commissioners should endeavor to accelerate the civilizing and Christianizing influence among the whites, and thus secure their co- operation with those who go among the Indians. There is a feeling of intense bitterness and hatred felt toward the Indians, such as I had no idea of, and if this board can do anything to improve and modify that feeling among the people they should do so. I can say amen, heartily amen, to what has been said about suppression of the whisky traffic, ami if there can be more stringent legislation upon the subject it would be desirable. I forbear, how-ever, to dwell, simply saying that going out to observe somewhat as to the result of the experiment I returned with two distinct impressions. One was that the experiment was a very large undertaking, larger than I had apprehended until I saw something of it; and second, that large as it is, and attended with so many difficulties, it is in an encouraging state of progress. Mr. BKUKOT. It is, peihaps, natural that there should exist a feeling on the part of the whites against the Indians and their friends, such as has been described by the gentleman, and to some extent allowance should be made for it. I do not think it is indulged in so much by the real settlers, but that it is simply the expression of that restless element which has temporarily gathered in the frontier towns and along the Pacific Railroad during its construction. In Wyoming we were told that we would not get home before the Indians would be murdering and robbing the settlers, but there has been no complaint as yet. The conference then adjourned to meet at the same place at half- past 7 in the evening. EVENING SESSION. ARLINGTON HOUSE, January 11, 1872. Commissioner BRUNOT in the chair By invitation, Hon. William P. Ross, of the Cherokee delegation, addressed the con-ference. Referring to the early history of the Cherokees, he said there was as much interest in the Indian question during the administration of General Jackson as at the present time. Some of the ablest statesmen and jurists in the country took part in the discussion. The most aggressive measures were resorted to by States interested in the removal of the Indians to accomplish that object. Missionaries were imprisoned as felons without cause, and their lands were parceled out by lottery. The decisions of the Supreme Court were in favor of the Indians but availed nothing, as the President failed to enforce them. The Indians were driven from their country at the point of the bayonet, and removed to their present homes in the Indian Territory with the most solemn guarantees for their protection in the future. The Cherokees numbered something like 18,000 souls, including, in round numbers, about 400 whites, 900 Delawares, 700 Shawnees, and 1,500 freedmen, adopted citizens and incorporated into the nation with the rights and privileges of native- born citizens, and who are living to- day in peace and harmony and steadily improving in their con-dition. They have a regularly organized elective government, with executive, legisla-tive, and judicial departments. Their government is supported by the interest derived from investments in United States registered bonds amounting to nearly $' 2,000,000 ; one- half of that is applied to defray the ordinary expenses of government ; three- fourths of the other half to the support of schools, and the remaining fourth to the support of orphan children. They have now sixty free schools scattered over their country, and have just authorized the establishment of an industrial school for the orphans; appro-priating $ 10,000 and two miles square of land for its support, besides the, regular fund. They have a commodious brick capitolof comely proportions and suitable accommoda-tions for the sessions of the two houses of their national councils and their supreme court, including offices for their executive, treasurer, superintendent of public schools, audi-tor of accounts, & c. The denominations among the Cherokees are Baptists, Metho-dists, Presbyterians, and Moravians, and a large proportion of the adult population belong to one or another of these churchesthe greater proportion to the two first named. Their schools are taught in English, aud a newspaper, ably edited |