OCR Text |
Show REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONEX 08 INDIAN LNFPAIES. 43 without material suffering. Nearly a hnndred of the Menomonees have been enlisted in various Wisconsin regiments, attesting the life-long loyalty of the tribe. They make brave and enduring soldirrs, coming easily nuder discipline. The various teachers and other employ6s of the govenlment appear to he de-voted to their work, and the results are seen in the good and hopeful condition of the Indians of their charge. I regret that the report from the Oneida Indians, of this agency, is not as favorable as could be desired. Occupying a tract of land generally of good character for farming purposes, these Indians, many of whom are good farmers, should he able to raise an abundance of food for themselves, and supply all the necessities and comforts and many of the ~implerlu xuries of life, even in seasona which, like the last, have been characterized by untimely frosts and severe droughts. Rut, unfortunately, the location of their reservation near several towns, many of whose inhabitants do not scruple to furnish tbe Indians with spiritnous liqnors and encourage them to vices of all kinds, tends to draw them from the pursuits of industry and engage them in the practice of vicious pursuits. Greatly to the injury of the common property of this tribe, some of its more shiftless members have been engaged, contrary to the direct orders of the agent, issued by direction of this office, in cutting and hauling away for sale much of its valuable timber. As an important means of enabling such members of the tribe as are disposed to habits of industry and economy, and willing to help themselves along tlte road to civilization and comfort, to reap the just reward of their good conduct, it is stated by Agent Davis that a majority of the chiefs desire to have the lauds surveyed and allotted to such individuals as will culti-vate them. It will be seen also thnt a majority of the chiefs favor a sale of a portion of their tract to the Stockbridges and Munaees, the proceeds to be invested as an educational fund for the Oneidas. For this last purpose, and to furnish the Stockbrid-w s and Munsees with a better a.ualit,v of land.. the su-e- grstion ia worthy of considerntiou; hut I couTess that I entertain great doubts whether preponderating evils might uot be expected to r r~ul rto the latter trille, now indGtr;ons and bird working upon a poor soil, from transporting them to s better soil within easy reach of the temptations which beset the Oneidas. Of the Oneidas ninety-six have been enlisted in the United States army, making two hundred and thirty-two volunteers from a total population of three thousand three hundred and thirty-three in this agency. Agent Davis has labored earnestly to put a stop to the traffic in liquor with the Indians of his charge, and with some degree of success. I t is to beregretted, however, that, after obtaining ample proof to convict offenders, conviction and punishment should fail for the reasons set forth in his report. The task of caring for the Indians and protecting them from the bad influences constantly pressing them back from civilization and comfort and an enlightened humanity, i s hard enough when all the energies of all government officials are honestly and earnestly bent towards it. I t ought not to be made more difficult, if not im-osaible, by such a course on the part of the federal courts as is complained of fy Agent Davis. The various wandering fragments of tribes, Winnebagoes, Pottawatomies, kc., which have hitherto given much trouble in northwestern Wisconsin, have been placed under the charge of a eppcial agent, and no difficulty from them has been brought to the notice of this office during the present year. MICHIQAN. The report of Agent Leach, in regard to the Indians under his charge, while it does not exhibit any great degree of improvement among them, still furnishes evidence that they are gradually advancing to a better knowledge and appre-ciation of the arts of civilized life; thia favorable condition of things, however, |