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Show COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 15 Indian population is numerous and powerful. Some of the tribes have from time immemorial sustained hostile relations w each other, and though no longer at open strife, occasionally manifest their r . ng conhnued animosity. The tribes along the northern frontier traffic largely with British traders, and are con-sequently subject to powerful influences, which it is feared are not always favor-able to the development of our Indian policy. Provision was made in the treaty with the Winnebagoes concluded April 15, 1859, for the assignment in severalty to each individual member of the tribe of the lands composing the eastern portion of their entire reservation, as follows, viz : eighty acres to each head of a family and forty acres to each male person eighteen years of age and upwards, and for the disposition of the remaining land by the direction of the Secrctq of the Interior. In pursnance thereof Afessrs. Walcott, of Illinois, Sample, of Indiana, and Baker, of Minnesota, were appointed to the duty of taking a census and making the several allolments. Owing to obstrnctions thrown in the way of the prosecution of this work by designing white men, and the obstinacy of some of the Indians themselves, the commissioners experienced great difficulty in the execution of the duties assigned them. But through the exercise of patience and perseverance worthy of com-mendation, they eventually overcame the many obstacles in their way and have substantially accomplished the object. The commissioners were further in-structed to appraise the residue of the lands preparatory to bringing them into market, but in view of the disturbed state of the countrv and the resnltine derangements, it has been deemed proper to snsyknd their action anx epoch more favorable to the interests of the Indians for whose benefit the sales are to be made. In the year 1851 a treaty was negotiated with the Se-see-toan and Wah-pay-toan bands of Sioux, whereby their title to a large tl.act of country in the then Territory and present State of Minnesota was extinguished. Since that time the Yanctonnais band of the Sioux, (with whom we have no treaties, other than those of amity and good neighborhood,) have persistently claimed that they too have rights in the territory then ceded; but notwithstanding repeated and earnest efforts on the part of this department to ascertain the nature and extent of their claims, with a view to their satisfaction, they have until recently refused to treat, repelled our proffers to that end, and received the offers of nego-tiation, made by a direct mission from the government, with little less than inso-lence and contempt. Hitherto they have been a wild and intractable band, manifesting no disposition to abandon in the least their savage mode of life, and have exercised a powerful and pernicious influence upon their neighboring tribes, who are less wild, and are disposed to cultivate more intimate relations with the whites. Recent advices, however, show that at length the Indians of this band are beginning to surrender their prejudices, and are disposed to anive at a better understanding with the government, they having madc overtures to that effect. I am, therefore, of opinion that a council shou~ld he held with them without delay, and if possible a treaty negotiated; and it would be well if, upon negoti-ating a treaty with the Yanctonnais, one were also madc with the Chippewas of Red Lake, for which the necessity is urgent. Some of the Sioux who are located upon resei~ations have made a, fair beginning in the customs of civilized life. They have adopted the costume of the whites, and rely for n living upon the arts of husbandry. This class is known as '<Farmer Indians,'' a term which distinguishes them from the other class known as "Blanket Indians." Thc Fanner Indians are met at each step in their endeavors to attain the arts of civili-zation by the constant opposition of the "Blanket Indians," who regard them 4 as innovators upon their ancient customs, wanting in manliness, a discredit to their race, and (to use a hackneyed expression) "degenerate sons of noble sires." So great is this opposition that it requires on the p a ~otf the "Farmers" the ex-ercise of great moral courage, as well as the countenance and support of the |