OCR Text |
Show 12 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. in my judgment, the money it mould cost could not be more beneficially applied. If a large number of existing treaties were swept away, and others substituted in their stead, containing only a few plain, necessary, and assimilated provisions, serving as models for htwe treaties, and all looking mainly to the concentration of the several tribes; to their permanent domiciliation within 6xed and nurow limits; to the establishment of efficient laws for the protection of their persons and property; and to a more judicious administration of the means rovided for their support and improvement, the day would not be Sstant when the whole subject of our Indian affairs would assume a far more consistent and systematic form, presenting to the eye of the phi-lanthropist and Christian a spectacle no longer cheerless and dispirit-ing, but redolent of consolatiou, encouragement, and hope. Having, with studied brevity, presented to you the fore oing views, I conclude by referring, for more detailed information, to tfe reports of the superintendents, agents, kc., herewith submitted. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. LEA, Comrnissiorw. Hon. A. H. H. STUART, \ Secretary of the Interior. |