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Show - - --- COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 21 deluded, unlettered Indians, and surreptitiously obtain from them the papers marked L, M, and N, (appendix) for the purpose of filching from them the sum of $168,331 67, of which $80,895 33 to be for the payment of an unjust and unfounded claim for services in procuring the additional allowance which was voluntarily made to them through -the instrumentality of the department and the Senate; and $87,436 34 for various other claims against them, which, in view of the settled policy of the government, it is not in the slightest degree bound to recognjse or respect, and which possibly are entitled to as little con-sideratlon on the score of justice as the other demand. These sums, too, are sought to be obtained from the amount allowed by the sup-plemental agreement with these Indians, which, as already stated, is otherwise sacredly pledged, and which cannot be diverted without a violation of plighted faith and justice. I cannot forbear expressing the hope that all persons having any agency in the administration of Indian affairs, whether connected with the executive or legislative departments of the government, now or hereafter, will resolutely set their faces against, and frown down, all attempts to secure the allow-ance or navmeut of such unauthorized and improper demands against A * - the 1nd;ans. For his culpable disregard of the policy of the department, and his duty towards the Indians, in having anything to do with these pro-ceedings, the sub-agent who certified and authenticated one of the papers last referred to has been summarily dismissed from office. The instruments marked M and N in the schedule, arein the hand-writ in^ of one of the individuals whose name is attached to the con-tingenz contract (H) with the late sub-agent ; and the interpreters and other persons who attest the execution of M, are to reccive of the funds re tended to be assigned and appropriated by the Indians, by virtue of the same, to themselves and their assigns, the sum of $28,311 95, they being, without exception, interested parties. This transaction among the Menomonees has not been referred to as an isolated case, but as a sample of a clasn, and illnstrati~e of the outrageous and iniquitous attempts of unscrupnln~~wsh ite men to en-rich themselves out of the funds of the Indians. The pecuniary losses to the latter comprise only a minor portion of the injurions concomi-tants and results of such attempts. The Indians-particularly the chiefs and leading men-are frequently bribed and otherwise corrnpt-ed and demoralized, in order to obtain their assent to being defrauded, 1 while the agents and others connected with the Indian service do not always escape the prevailing contamination. Among the Meno-monees the fatal tendency and effect of such occurrences may be seen in the intemperate and demoralized habits and condition of Osh-kosh, principal chief, and many others of the tribe. But the evil is a generaland growing one ; formidable in its combi-nations and alarming in its results, and therefore requiring the speedy application of the most radical and effectual remedy. All executory contracts of every kind and description, made by Indian tribes or bands nith claim agents, attorneys, traders or other persons, should be declared by law null and void, and an agent. interpreter, or other pereon, employed in or in any way connected with the Indian service |