OCR Text |
Show 12 REPORT OF THE and Sioux, in a starving condition, on account of the scanty supply of buffalo; and the Upper Missouri agent, in his last year's report, +lso states that within his agency there are at least four hundred thou-sand of these animals annually destroyed. The present agent for the Upper Platte and Arkansas is of the opinion, that although starvation be inevitable, yet the Indians al-luded to will never voluntarily abandon their present mode of life; and that to effect a change and obtain control over them, the United States must first effectually chastise every band. Although having confidence in the prudence and judgment of the agent, I am constrained to think that the suggestion has not been well considered by him; and without questioning the beneficial effects which might result from the successful execution of such a measure, it would in my opinion, if attempted, prove an utter failure. These Indians have no fixed habitations, no houses, no fields, and no prop-erty, herds, or flocks, but such as may be removed with great celerity; and in their rapid migration from one portion of the country to another, they leave no trace behind to guicte and direct their pursuers. I am not prepared to suggest any better plan for their domestication and preservation, than to make an effort to colonize them in suitable tracts of country, to be selected for that purpose, and there teach them to labor and to cultivate the soil. Some, no doubt, would at once embrace the opportunity, if presented; and the improvement of their condition would have its influence upon others, who, from their destitution and want, could, it is believed, be induced to take refuge in these retreats. A portion of the funds now applied to the purchase of merchandise for annual distribution among them might be appro-yriated for this purpose, and the experiment made without any de-mand upon the treasury beyond the amount required to pay the wa es of a few employes and minor agents. $he four principal tribes within the southern superintendency-the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, and Chickasaws-continue gradually to improve their condition. Having generally adopted the habits and pursuits of civilized life, they are probably more prosperous and happy . than any of the other tribes within our borders. Their forms of gov-ernment, which have been modified and improved as their knowledge and experience have increased, and the manner in which their internal affairs are administered, do them great credit; while the zeal and anxiety of their leading men for the general education of their people, entitle them to the highest commendation of the government. They are loyal and friendly to the United States, and quiet and generally peaceful towards each other. The only cause of anxiety with regard to them, at present, is that they may be subjected to some hardship ,and suffering in consequence of the shortness of their crops, occa-aioned by the extreme drought which has prevailed in that region, as well as elsewhere. The Seminoles within this superintendency are in a much less satis-gfaetory condition, being ignorant and more or less debased, idle, and addieted to dissipation. The Creeks, within whose boundaries they reside, complain that they are the instruments and agents through whm most of the ardent spirits brought into their country are intro- |