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Show OOMMTSSIONER OF INDLAN AFFAIRS. 13 1 I duced, and they have appealed to the government to interpose to abate this nuisance, which is attended with much injury to their people. The United Senecas and Shawnees, and the other small bands of Quapaws and Senecas, a1m.vithin the southeria superintendency, are in comparatively comfortable circumsbnees; but the Osages, in the same district, who have not yet abandoned the chase, are in a much less favorable condition. An effort, which has been partially success-ful, is now being made to effect treaties with these several hands, for the purpose of reducing their territorial possessions, which are much too extensive, and of bringing them under a better system of control and management, with a view to their more rapid improvement. The question of a political separation between the Choctaws and Chickasaws, which has for some time been earnestly sought for by the latter, but opposed by the former, and which has excited much feeling between the members of both tribes, still remains unadjusted. Com-missioners appointed for the purpose by each, were to meet early in October, to consider and discuss the subject; but information as to the result of their conference has not yet reached the department. A political union, similar to that between the Choctaws and Chick-asaws, also exists between the Creeks and Seminoles, much to the dis-satisfaction of the latter, who are weak and feeble in numbers and resources, and complain of wrong and oppression from their brethren of the other and more powerful tribe. Like the Chickasaws, they cherish the natural and reasonable desire of a separate country and an 1 independent government of their own. If their wishes in this respect were granted, it would, it is believed, exercise a powerful influence I upon those in Florida towards inducing them to emigrate. It is said that they are well acquainted with the nature of the relations between their brethren west and the Creeks, and that they will never willingly emigrate so long as those relations, which are very repugnant to them, shall continue. The Choctaw authorities are anxious to put in operation a general system of neighborhood or common schools among the people, hut have not the means necessary for its accornpliahment. They have re-qneated that the balance of the orphan fund remaining in the hands of their agent, unclaimed, may be appropriated for that purpose; bit, under existing laws, the department is unable to comply. It is prob-able that no further demands will ever be made upon this fund, amonnt-ing now to $1'1,550 80, and to heincreased as the orphau lands in Missis-sippi are sold. The request is so reasonable, and the object so praise worthy and appropriate, that it is to be hoped that Congress will authorize the department to apply the fund as the authorities of the tribe desire. The Indians in Texas are represented to be now more peaceful ' and orderly than they have been during a great portion of the year. They have committed many outrages upon frontier citizens, and con-tinue their forays beyond our boundaries, in spite of the military force in that quarter, and the efforts of the agents of this department to restrain them. It is in contemplation to collect and colonize them, on three reservations which the State of Texss has granted for the pnrpose, and where they are to be partially suhsisted, at the expense |
