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Show 1 BEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. 15 of November 23, 1838, the sum of four hundred thousand dollars was stipulated to be allowed for property abandoned and lost by individuals of the tribe, in consequence of their forced and compulsory removal west of the Mississippi river. Fifty thousand dollars of the amount was to bS furnished in stock animals, to be distributed in proportion to the loss in each case, as set forth in a schedule which accompanied the treaty. The remaining three hundred and fifty thousand dollars were to be invested I' for the benefit of the individuals of the Creek nation referred to in the preceding article," so as to secure them five per cent. annually. By tbe fourth article, however, this fund, at the end of twenty-five years from the date of the treaty, is to be wrested from the individuA to whom it really belongs, and given to the nation at large. This feature of the treaty has long excited feelings of discontent and dissatisfaction, which continue to increase with the approach of the period when the change is to take place. Those of the chiefs living who signed the treaty assert that they did not understand this pro-vision as it is. and deny that they ever assented to any such arrange-ment ; while the individuals directly interested aver that they will never yield their right to the fund. It has beell, and continues to be, regarded as theirs by the whole tribe ; but it is feared such will not be the feel-ing when the time arrives for all to participate in it. To avoid serious , difficulty that may then arise, the chiefs re resenting the claimants and the entire tribe have made a strong appea t' to have the whole amount paid over to the individuals to \%-horn it belongs ; and it is highly desi-rable that this be done, especially as the interest-amounting, in many cases, to but a few cent-is to the great majority of them of no benefit whatever. The political connexion between the Choctaws and Chickasaws, 1 established through the agency of the government, by the convention of 1E37, under wh~ch the Chickasa\vs form a component part of the Choctaw nation, and are subject to its laws, still continues, notwith-standing the earnest and ~ersevcring efforts of the Chickasaws to in-duce the Choctaws to consent to a dissolution thereof. The interests of the Chickasaws, particularly of a pecuniary character, are materially variant from those of the other tribe, and they are naturally anxious to enjoy the satisfaction and advantages of a separate government of their own. TKe consummation of this reaonable desire would, without doubt, have a decided tendency to promote their advancement and per-manent prosperity. It is much to be regretted, however, that the Choctaws, to whom the union 'is of no advantage whatever, still continue indisposed to yield to the natural and reasonable wishes of their brethren, and those of the government, on lhis subject. The earnest efforts of the department to effect the emigration of the Seminole Indians still remaining in Florida, under arrangements here-tofore fully reported, having failed of complete success, they have again been placed in charge of the military branch of the sen-ice. The num-ber detached from Florida and removed to their country west of the M~'s.s ~. s s.~ dpupri~ng, the short period they were under the jurisdiction of this office, was thirty-six. The three small tribes of Senecas, Senecas and Shawnees, and Qua-paws, are extending their a~ieultural improvements. Members of |
