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Show REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAX AFFAIRS. 59 1 of Lake Superior, in Minnesota. Reference has been made in tbat portion of this report devoted to Indian freaties, to the arrangement made with this band, as being a favorable one for them as well as for the government. At the time of the negotiations held wit,h their delegated chiefs in this city, last spring, they were accompanied by seyeral chiefs of the Chippewas residing in Wisconsin, who thonght they had an interest in the lauds to bedisposed of to the'government. Unfortunately the small-pox broke out among this last named delegation, and three of them, A-moose, Squa-ha-via, and St. Germain, died of the disease. Partly to asennge their bief, in a manner usual among them, and partly to satisfy their fancied claim to the land, provision was made in the treaty to give the Lac Flambeau hand the sum of $5,000, and to continue, for the hen-etit of the Indians on the south side of the lake, certain stipulations involving a Small sum annnally. The Indians at Bad river have expressed n desire to have a Catholic church built upon their reservation, and as those in charge of the interests of that de-nomination propoeed to erect it at their own expense, permission has been granted. The Protestant Nission school, long established atthat place, may have been very successful, but thus far this office has failed to obtain the information necessary to decide the question. The reports show a fairaverage attendance of scbolars, but notliing more is known of these schools. Scattered as these bands of Chippewas are, it is difficult to do anything effectual for them in the way of education. Were they concentraled upon a singlereservation, wemight hope to do them some good. I WINNEBAGOES AND POTTAWATOMTES OF WISCONSIN. This agency is an anomaly in the Indian service, having been epecially author-ized by Congress for the care of members of the tribes indicated, who in part remained behind when their brethren, after selling their lauds to the government, migrated to the westward; and partly of bands, varying in numbem 'om year to year, who return to their old haunts and live a precarions life by begging, picking berries, trapping, &c., rather than settle down upon reservations and betake themaelves LO the pursuits of agriculture. Occasionally they give the border -settlers some trouble, especially when supplied wit11 whiskey, but usually they are very peaceable. No complaints df bad conduct by the Winneha-goes have come to this office during the past year, but wehave several times heard of Pottawatomiea making tbemselves too free abont the border settlements, by turning their ponies loose, &c. On referring these complaints to the agent for. inquiry, however, his report has been accompanied by statements of settlers, giving their opinion that the Indians do no harm. It is certainly desirable that I these people should join their tribes upon their respective reservations; but this ! eould not be effected without the use of force, and it seeqs hardly necessary to I I undertake such a movement so long as they are as peneeahle as at present. I Agent Lamoreux reports the number of tlie Winnrbagoes at abont 700, and of the I'ottawatomies at 650, these being estimates, as no actual census has been taken of t,hese roving bands and families scattered about the centra~al nd resturn part of the State. Here and there they hare raiced a little corn in pntcl~es, mltivated as usnal by the squaws, but for the most part they de[,,.nd tipon game, fish, and the sale of berries, furs. &c., obtaining alan some comforts towards winter from the distribution of goods to t.hem by the go.orernment. Tlle Winne-hagoes are mostly in the counties of Juneau, ddams, and V700d; the Pottawat-mies about Lake Horicon, in Dodge county, and in Poitage and VTaupacca counties. The agent recommends that a reservation he eet apart for the Winnebagoes in Wiscousiu, but this office is not prepared to recoma~cntl mch action. These Indians Lave no schools and no deeire for any. To all intents and pup poses they are as much heathen as the tribes of the iuterior of Africa. |