OCR Text |
Show 1 10 REPORT OR TEE located on reservations in different parts of the State, where laws, specially enacted for the purpose, effectually protect them in their per- L sons and property. The State has also extended to them the advant-ages of her free school systtem, there being twenty-one schools of that description in successful operation among them, six of which are taught by Indians. It is hoped that this good example of considerate and philanthropic regard for the rights, interests, and welfare of the Indians, will be followed by the other States within whose limits portions of the race remain permanently located. The number of scholars in the above mentioned schools is eight hun-dred and twenty-five-four hundred and seventy boys, and three hundred and fifty-five girls. There is also an asylunl for orphans, a most excellent institution, sustained by the Society of Friends, who have for many years watched over the interests and welfare of these Indians; and whichisvery appropriatelynamed the " ThomasAsylum," in honor of the venerable Philip E. Thomas, of Baltimore, who has been the active and efficient agent of the society during the whole period of its watchful care orer the Indians. The policy of concentrating the Indians of Michigan on small reser-vations, with a view of trnining t.hem to industrial pursuits, is being successfully prosecuted; and, if aided by such legislation on the part of the State as may be necessary for the protection of their rights and interests, and to prevent their being supplied with arclent spirits, con- I fident hones mav be entertained of an carlv and material ilnurovement in their cbnd,iti&. The Oneidas in Wisconsin are anxious to liave the lands in their res- ~~~ ~ ~ ervation surveyed, and limited portions thereof allotted to them in severalty; the remainder to be disposed of for their benefit. Their agent gives good reasons why this should be done ; and, it being in con-formity with the now firmly established policy of the department, they should be gratified in their reasonable wishes in this particular. The Stockbridges and Munsees have manifested some dissatisfaction with the lands assigned to them by the treaty of.1856, because, as they have alleged, of their unfitness for agricultural purposes; and a por-tion of the tribe have heretofore refused to go there, in consequence of which the department has not felt justified in paying over their re-moval and improvement funds; not considering them entitled thereto, unless they all united in complying with the obligations of the treaty. Though not satisfied that their objections to thelr new country were well founded, the department was willing to ratify them in a desire, which they expressed, to be located with the 8 neidas on their reserva-tion, if the arrangement could be made upon reasonable terms. The Oneidas, however, demanded so exorbitant a price for the lands neces- c sary for the purpose, that it had to be abandoned; since which, all of -the Stockbridges and &Innsees, their agent reports, have removed to, and are now on their own lands. The agent report^ that the Menomonees are beginning to make some progress in the adoption of agricultural and other Industrial pursuits in the new home provided for them by the treaty of 1854, and that they desire to have their lands partitioned among them in severalty; which may be regarded as an evidence of a dawning consciousness on their |