| OCR Text |
Show 6 REPORT OF THE - Thereports in regard to the four great southwestern tribes, the Chero-kees, Creeks, Choctaws and Chickasaws, are very favorable. Their regularly organized and stable governments and laws well suited to their condition and circumstances, their general devotion to industrial pursuits, and their comparative national and industrial prosperity, evince a most c~editablea nd gratifying degree of advancement in the fundamental elements of civilization. Some, if not all of them, ap-pear to be expecting and preparing for an importrnt change in their ~oliticaal nd municipal relations with the United States, and there is no doubt that suitably organized territorial governments may, with great propriety and advantage, be extended to them at an early day. Until such a change shall become expedient, it is recommended that there shall he United States courts established at suitable points within the territory of these Indians, for the trial of cases arising thereunder our laws. The embarrassments and expense to which they are sub-jected in being compelled to attend the federal court in Arkansas, and the difficulty in securing the attendance of witnesses, give rise to cases of great hardship, amounting to a denial of justice. I submit herewith a copy of the late annual message of John Roes, principal chief of the Cherokees, to their national council, which is wo~thyof special attention, as presenting, doubtless, a correct view of the general oondition of the tribe, as well as important questions for the consideration of the authorities of the United States. For several successive years the tribes in the southern superinten-dency suffered extremely from drought. During the present season, however, they have had timely and abundant rains, have consequently raised fine crops, and are amply supplied with all the necessaries of -li.fe.- , It is expected the Seminoles will soon remove and settle within the district of country provided for them by the treaty with them and the Creeks of August, 1856 ; and tht, having a separate country, and en-joying the right of self-government, with ample means for the im-provement and support of the whole tribe, their brethren in Florida can be induced peaceably to emigrateand join them. Both the Creeks and western Seminoles have manifested an entire readiness to comply with their obligations under the treaty of co-operating with the de-partment in its efforts to effect the peaceful reznoval of the Florida Semiuoles, and large delegations of both tribes, in charge of the super-intendent for that district, will soon be on their way to the scene of operations for the purpose of endeavoring to accomplish that object. This movement has been somewhat delayed in consequence of the superintendent having been charged with the disbursement of the moneys payable to the several tribes within his superintendency. Tps service was imposed upon him, in conformity with the regulation adopted by the President in March last, to carry out an apparent wish of Congress, as evinced by a proviso in the act making appropriations for the Indian department, passed at the last session, that the moneys due to Indians should be pa~d by the superintendents instead of the agents, as heretofore. The proviso, not being obligatory, was not necessary, as the President had already the power to require the su-perintendents to make such payments whenever he deemed it proper, |
