OCR Text |
Show 20 REPORT OF THE transactions, but to aid and assist in both-in obtaining the largest possible sum from the government for the Indians, and all the claims against the latter that could be procured to be paid out of that sum. There was thus to be a speculation of considerable magnitude, and of a three-fold character. The government, the Indians, and the alleged or pretended claimantsagainst the latter, were all to be levied on. By ingenuity and skilful calculation, the claim in behalf of the Indians was worked up to half a million of dollars, and those against them to about ninety thousand dollars ; the third art of the one and the half of the other-amounting to u wards o f two hundred and eleven thousand dollars, which, less the $10,000 to be paid under the agreement mentioned, was, in case of success of the scheme, to be divided mainly or entirely between some three individuals-making quite a handsome fortune for each out of one poor, miserable Indian tribe; to say nothing of the further drafts which wonld no doubt have been made on the Menornonee portion of the fund if the plan had succeeded. Having become satisfied from an examination into the affairs of the Menomonees, and their relations with the government, that they were justly entitled to some additional compensation for the lands ceded by them under the treaty of 1848, in consequence of the quan-tity thereof having been under-estimated at the time that treaty was made, and also that the country thereby assigned to them west of the Mississippi was not suitable for them, the supplemental articles of May 12, 1854, referred to elsewhere, were entered into, by which they were given another and an acceptable home, and an additional allowance made to them of $150,000, which was increased by the Senate's amendment in the sum of $92,686; making the sum allowed to them $242,686, to be divided into fifteen annual instalments, commencing withthe year 186b, and which is solemnly and sacredly p!edged to be paid and applied under the special direction of the Pre-sldent of the United States, in such manner, and for such purposes, as will best tend to improve their condition and promote their per-manent welfare. And any diversion of this fund for any purpose, in the slightest degree interfering with these great and beneficent ends, wonld he not less disgraceful to the -go vernment than it wonld be injurious to the Indians. In the adoution of this measure of instice towards these Indians. the department acted upon the principle announced in the last annual report, and which I take occasion here to repeat, "that there is no absolute necessity for the employment by Indian tribes of attorneys or agents to attend to their business at the seat of government;" and that in their dependent condition, "it is the duty of government, as their guardian, to cause all matters of a business character with them, to be so conducted as to preclude the necessity of the intervention of this class of persons." The new arrangement with the Menomonees was made not only without any such intervention in their favor, but, aa is well known, contrary to the wishes of the person or persons as-suming to act as their attorneys, and in despite of such influences as ,%heyc ould bring to hear against i t ; and yet these individuals have hmd the assurance and hardihood to gd into the country of these poor, |