OCR Text |
Show .i 16 REPORT OF THE to inflict much injury upon our advanced settlements and emigrants by tbe northern route to Oregon and Washington. An adequate mil-itary force is very necessary to restrain and keep them quiet ; and it is advisable that a new treaty be made with them for the purpose of effecting a better understanding as to the limits of the tract of country which they claim, and to impose upon them the obligation to remain within those limits, to cease hostilities with one another, and to ab-stain from committing depredations upon the whites. Measures should be adopted to prevent the annual slaughter of the Buffalo in this region of c.)untry merely for their skins to sell to the traders. This animal is the principal means of subsistence for the Indians, but, at its present rate of destruction, it will soon become ex-tinct, when they must starve, gustain themselves by plunder, or be thrown upon the government for support. Attention is again called to the urgent necessity that exists for a complete and thorough revision of the laws relating to Indian affairs, which, in consequence of lapse of time and change of circumstances, sre in a great measure unsuited to the present condition of things, and in consequence of which it is impossible to administer the dvlties of this office and department with the necessary and proper degreeof system, efficiency, and economy. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES E. MIX, Hon. JACTOHBO MPSON, Secretary qf the Interior. Commissioner. DEPARTMEONFT T EE INTERIOR, Ofice India* Affairs, Noumber 15, 1858. In consequence of the late period at which I came into this office, it has been impossible for me to examinethe foregoing report with refer-ence to the facts therein contained, but I concur, generally, in the suggeations made by Mr. Mix in regard to the policy that ought to be pursued by the government in dealing with the Indians. J. W. DENVER, Cmnisismer. |