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Show REPORT ON INDIAN AFFAIRS. tribee, of which noticeis taken in their order following remarka specling these ; but since 1st October, ultimo, the agency embracing the Osages, and Shawnees, bas fo~med a part of the central snperin-tendency. A comparison of these numbers with the popnlation returns of little more than ten years ago, reveals thefact of a largedecreasein the several tribes. Prior to the late civil war they were steadily advancing incivilization and pros-perity. Some of the tribes have a written language, national constitotion, and laws, churches, public schools, and their people generally were successful in agricultural and other pursuits. The Seminolea and Creeks, though not $0 far advanced, yet had decidedly improved in many respects, promising good results for the future. The consegnences of the war have thrown them back, so that in a great measure they have to do over again the work of yeara. in building up their homes and fortunes. This. under the treaties but latelv made with them. is being done with energy and hope. No doubt they will ere"long attain to more than their former prosperous condition. Senecas, Confederate Seneca~, and Shawnees, occupy the northeast corner of %he Indian country, and have done well in their farming operations the past year. The Senecas, by the treaty made with them last year, not yet ratified, cede 20,000 acres of their reservation for a home for the Wyandotts. Thisis avery desirable arrangement, and it is hoped it will be consummated. By treaty at the.same time the Senecas, joined with the Shawnees, have agreed to sell their. half of the present reserve of the two tribes to the Miamies.aud Peoria of Kansas. and to unite with the other Senecas. The agreement awaits the action of the Senate. The Qnapaws, who receive no annuity, have suffered for the want of theneces- ~ar iesof life. They are located upon a reserve of 96,000 acres. By treaty arrangements last winter they ceded to the United States portions of the reserve, and the land so ceded is now being intruded upon by squatters in violation of law. I t is hoped the treaty will be early ratified, so that the Qnnpaws may, by the proceeds of the sale of the ceded lands, berelieved from their pressingwants and have means to assist them in their agricultural and other pnrsnits. Osages, a tribe numbering ahout 3,000, and formerly possessed of an exten-sive reservation in southern Kansas, but which by cession made in their treaty of 1865 has been much reduced; thereby they relinquished to the United States one portion of their land for the consideration af $300,000, which sum ia to be invested and the interezt paid to them annually in money, clothiug, provisions, or such other articles of utility as the Secretary of the Interior may direct, the laud so relinquished to he sold, and after reimbursing the government the cost of survey and sale, and the $300,000 the Indiansreceive, the remainder of the proceeds of the sale is to he placed in the treasury of the United States to the credit of the civilization fund, to he used for the education and civilization of lnaixn tribes. Another part'they cede to be held in trust and sold,the proceeds to beplaced in the treasury of the United States, andinterest annually thereon expended in building houses, the purchase of agricultural implements and for otherbeneficialpnrposes. Notwithstanding the advantages possessed for improv-ing their condition, the Osages arestill a wild people, living by the chase, with what they steal, and are hut little inclined to become civilized. Their wealth consists in horaes, wampum and trinkets. Charges against them of being on the war-pathare doubtless not true. The lands ceded by them are overrun with settlers, who are even erorrding upon their diminished reserve,.and it may become I necessary before long to arrange for their removal from Kansas. Their agent is of the opinion that they will go npon reservations in the Indian country. Wichitas, Caddoes, Wacoes, Keechies, Tauacapoes, Delawares.-Most of these tribes were formerly residents of Texas, and all before thelate war were iiv-iog on the leased lands west of the Choctaw countr During the war they were compelled to go into Kansas, where they receive%.assistancefrom the gov- |
