OCR Text |
Show 6 REPORT OF THE COMMtSSIONER. tion of it without delay; whilst there was neither the time nor the means to make the requisite explorations, to find a suitable location for them beyond the limits of the cession. nd er these pressing and embarrassing circumstances, the late Preai-dent determined to permit them to remain five years on the designated reservarions, if they were willing to accept this alternative. They as-sented, and many of them have alrendy been removed. However un-avoidable this arrangement, it is a most unfortunate one. The Indians are fully aware of its temporary character, and of the uncertainty as to their future position, and will consequently be disinclined and deterred from any efirts to make themselves co~nfortahle and improve their condition. The inevitable result must he, that at the end of the time limited they will be in a far worse condition than now; and the e&rts and expenditures of years to infuse into them a spirit of improvement, will all have been in vain. The large investments in mills, farms, mechanic shops and other im-provements, required by the treaties to be made for their benefit, will P be eniiyely wasted if the Indians are to remain on these reservations only duriug the prescribed five ycars. At the vely period when they would begin to reap the full advantage of these beneficial pro\''~ 's ~ons, they would have to remove. Another unfortunate feature of this ar-rangement, if temporary, is, that the Indians will have expeaded the considerable sums set apart in the treaties for the expenses of their re-moval to a permanent home, and for subsistence until they could other-wise provide it; Itaving nothing for these important and necessary purposes, in the event of another emigration. In view of these facts and considerations, no time shoulcl be lost in determining upon some final and permanent arrangement in regard to them. The tribes of the Upper hIissouri agency, with the exception of the Blackfeet, are represented as generally quiet and peaceable. Such of \ them as are parties to the treaty of Fort Laramie have maintained, with but one single exception, friendly relations among themselves, and mani-fested an ~ncreasing confidence in and kindness towards the whites. Some of the Indians in this agency raise corn, beans, pumpkins, &c., to a limited extent, but rely principally on the hunt for their support. The amendments of the Senate of the 24th of May, 1852, to the 7th article of the treaty of Fort Laramie, mere promptly assented to by such of the tribes as the agent had conferred with, and there is no doubt but that the others will readily do so when he has an opportunity of seeing them, they being absent at the time of his arrival in their country on their usual hunts. The general condition of the Indians within the limits of the Council Bluffagency is not encouraging. The Omahas are represented as hav-ing raised enough corn to last them through the winter ; and by a judi-cious ap lication ofthe money paid them by govcrnrnent this season, it is thougl -! t they my to a great extent be saved from suffering. The Ottoes and Rlissourias, a confederate tribe, are in a state oi abject poverty. Reduced by a combination of causes, and perhaps some neglect on the part of the government, they are indeed objects of nitv. z---J - The Pawnees are also in a destitute condition. Their number now |