OCR Text |
Show in regard to the matter of the arrest and extradition of criminals esoap-ing from one tribe to another; the administration of justice between members of the tribe and persons other than Indians, and members of said tribes or natious; the construction of works of internal improve-ment, and, the common defense and safety of the tribes. Nothing has been done in that matter, further than to cause to be taken a census, required by the treaties, of the members of each tribe as a basis of rep-resentation, because of the want of the necessary means and appropriate legislation by Congress. There is an earnest h i r e expressed by these Indians for an early organization of such a council, and that thetime of the sessions be extended from thirty to sixty days. I recommend that the subject be brought before Congress as one of great importance, and requiring prompt action by that body. The accomplishment of this much-desired object will give the Indians a feeling of security in the permanent possession of their homes, and tend greatly to advance them in ad1 the respects that constitute the character of an enlightened and civilized people. The next progressive step would be a territorial form of government,,followed by their admission into the Union as a State. Attention is ~uvitedto the condition of the freedmen among the Choc-taws and some oE the other tribes in the Indian territory, whose status as slares became changed by the results of the late war, a;nd who now appeal to the government for kind treatment and protection. Denied the rights and privileges of the members of the tribes with mhom they reside, oppfessed and persecuted, this people have claims which should not in justlce be longer disregarded. They prefer to remain with those among wholo they were raised, hut fear losing the protection of the laws of the United States. With the Seminoles they seem to find the most favor, 8.8 that tribe has accorded to them unconditional citizenship. r The Choctaws &nd Chickasaws, at first opposed to the measure, appear to have relented somewhat, and now wait to see what the government - will do. Arrangements, it is suggested, ought to be made for their col-onization in some suitable place, or else a supplemental treaty concluded for establishing them iu these nations with a pro rata distribution of t,he.ir funds and lands. .d The settlers to whomlands were awarded under the 17th article &.the . - Cherokee tre,aty of JulyJ9, 1869, having been recently notified to make payment of the appraised value of the lands awarded, remitta$es are .- are now rapidly coming in. These lands are known as the LLCherokee Neutral Lauds" in Kansas, embracing an area of 799,614.72 acres, the white settlers being in possession of 153,343.10 acres under the amcle referred to, and the Indian settlers 6,071.93 acres awarded to them under the provision of the 17th article of the treaty. The remaining 640,199.69 acres as stipulated in the treaewere sold by Mr. Browning, Secretary of the Interior, to James F. Joy, of Detroit, Michigawat $1 per acre. A portion bas been paid for by this purchase, and for which patents have issued. With regard to the tribes who have long been'on reservations, the re-ports of the superintendents and agents show that for most of them the prospect is brighter for future advancement and prosperity than it has been for several years past. Recovering from the ravages of war and the blieht.ine effects of rebellion. and accentinlr their situation. those ~~~ ~ wlao al~ii'err~mosatr e now making vommen;l;ih6 pro,p??is in industry, edocati~~aun, d a practical k~~owledgoothfe purnuitnot'cti~liz~ltilf e. I uroceecl now to a more usrticulnr bur brief norive of the several suueri~l- 1 kndencies. and agencies under the jurisdiction of this .bureau,^com-mencing with those on the Paci6c coast. |