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Show wonld have been led into difficulties and extreme want. By the timely snn~dieso f subsistence and clothing furnished. and the adontion of &;&res intentlrrl for their benctit, t h t r i lw fio~na lton~t he :i.~*;~test trouhlr was al)l,rehmdc.cl have Leen kept cou~l,ar;ltivelyq ~~i e:1t1,1r l sonle advance,, it is-tb be hoped, made in thedirection of their permanent set-tlement IU the localities assigned to them, and their enterill$ olwn a new course of life. The subsistence they receive is fn~nishntlh rrtugh the agency of t l~e co~~n~~di s~spaorrytm vnotf the army, with. if is Iwlie\.t.ii, gre:tter economy a ~ l~uodrr satistiictir,n rl~:inc o~ildh ave r r ~ ~ l t ti.1~i1l4t he mode Iterrtofore uhscrved been tbllorrcd. 111 thi5 P O I I I I ~ ~ ~ ~I O~IiIw i r rta call attention to the fact that the niumber of wild Indians and others, also not provided for by treaty stipulations, whose precarious condition requires that something should be done for their relief, and who are thrown under the immediate .charge of the department, is increasing. It is, therefore, a matter of serious consideration and urgent necessity that means be afforded to urouerlv care for them. For this t?nrpose, in n ~ yJ ~idgme~t~hetr,e nhnuid be HIIIIIIHII' nl~lwoltri"tvd1 11 . i!o~~jin.*sa 1;irgr cu~~tir~gfeio~to d,s in~ilnrt o tl~nti n q~trrtiona, nd 811l!itbc.t to t l~e a : 1 t r 1 1 ncconli~~clrvec om~nt~nctllr ar t111:s ubicct bc brnlt.r-l tt to the attention of ~ongress: " With a view to more efficiency in the management of affa.irs of the respective superintendencies and agencies, the Execntive has inaugn-rated a change of policy whereby a different class of nlen ti.on~ tho% heretofore selected have been appointed to duty as siiperi11tet1~1enatn.sd agents. There was doubtless just ground for it,,as great ae!1<I t'reqnent complaints have been made for years past, of e~thetrh e dishone3ty or inefficiency of many of these officers. Members of tbe Society of Friends, recommended by the society, now hold these positions iu the Northern Superintendency, embracing all Indians in Nebraska; a i~din the Central, embraci~~trgib es residing in Kansas, togethe,r with the Kiowas,Commches, and othor tribes in the Indian countr,v. Tile other superinteudeucies and agencies, excepting that of Oregon a ~ t~wod agencies there, are filled by army officers detailed for suol~ rluty. Tlie experiment has not been sufficiently tested to enable me to say definitely that it is a success, for but a short time has elapsed since tlieso Friends and officers entered upon duty; but so far as I can learu the plan works ailvantageonsly, and will probably prove a positive benefit to the serv-ice, and the indications are that the interests of the government and the Indians will be subserved by an honest and faithi111 dis(:l~argeo f dut.y, fully answering the expectations entertaiued by those w11o i.egarcl the measure as wise and proper. I am pleased to have it to remark that there is now a pcrfect ander-standing between the officers of this department and tlrdse of t.he miti-tary, with respect to their relative duties and responsibilities in refer-ence to Indian affairs. I11 this matter. with the armrobation of the President and yourself, a circular letter was aildr6ssd by this ofice ie June last to all superintendent.^ and agents defining the yvlicv or the government in itstreat~uenot f the Inaians, as compreherrded in these general terms, viz: that they should be se.cured their legal rigilts; 10- oated, when practicable,, u!l?on reservations; assisted in agric~~lrural pursuits and the arts of civ~hzedli fe; and that Indiatis \\-ho sl~tirrl~iaii 1 or refuse to come in and locate in permanent aborles provic11.d for tliem, would be subject wholly to the control and superrisiu~t of ~nilitary authorities, to be treated as friendly or hostile as ci rnu~~~r t ;~mi~igchets justify. The War Department concurring, issued orclers npoo the aub-ject for the information and guidance of the proper military officers, and |
