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Show Indians of this superintendency. We may not compensate the loss of parents, children, husbands, wives, and friends; the breaking up of happy homes and the instant destruction of life, long hopes and aspirations, but the little remaining in our power should therefore he the more promptly and cheerfully done. An investigation of the claims of the surviving sufferers should be instituted - with the least possible delay. Many of them have been reduced from oircnm-stances of comfort and plenty to abject want. To all of this Jass delay in pay-ing their just demands is an injustice. That the Sioux have clearly forfeited all claims npon government under their treaties is unquestionable. I therefore recommend that their available annui-ties, so far as applicable after the payment of the legitimate claims of the agency, shall be diverted to the payment of these claims. This fund will, however, be wholly inadequate; and in behalf of the sufferers I desire to make an earnest appeal to Congress for a prompt appropriation of an amount sufficient to com-pensate all pecuniary losses. CENTRAL SUPERINTENDENCY. Every variety of Indian life, From that of the wild and nututored savage to that of the most civilized and intelligent of their race, is to be found within this snperintendency. This diversity is exhibited in the comparative wealth of the tribes, in their costumes and in their habitations, their provisions for the education and religious culture of their youth, and, in short, in everything that distinguishes civilized from savage life. During the past year most of the tribes havemade very considerableimprove-ment. Health has heen good, and those of them engaged in agricultural pur-suits have generally been rewarded for their labor by bountiful crops, which, with their annuities, will amply supply the wants of the coming winter. With the exception of some difficulties of a hostile character between the Pawnees and Sioux, which, at the time, great consternation among the frontier set-tlements, the tribes have been at peace, and their universal loyalty and devotion to the cause of the government is very 5m tify i ng . As an instance of their . . loyalty I will mention this fact: Of two hundred and one Delawares, hetweeh the ages of eighteen and forty-five, one hundred 'and seventy have volunteered, 1 and are now in the militjlry service of the United States. I t is doubtful if any community can show a larger proportion of volunteers than' this. Other tribes . have likewise shown a commendable zeal in furnishing volunteers, and I have no doubt that, if necessary, several thousand excellent soldiers could be added, without difficulty, to the Union army from the Indians of this superintendency. Several of the tribes have manual lahor schools in successful operation, of which those of the Pottawatomies and Delawares deserve especial mention. It can-not be doubted that these schools are exerting a powerful influence, and will prove toost efficient auxiliaries in advancing the best interests of the Indians. * Since my first annual report lands have been allotted in severalty to the Sacs and Foxes, and to the Kaws, as provided by their respective treaties. The allot- * |