OCR Text |
Show If this provision should be enacted in all future appropriations for the payment of judgments of the Court of Claims in Indian depreds-tion claims, it would seem to meet the suggestions and recommenda-tious heretofore made by this office. But it mill be noticed that even this conferring of discretionary power looks to the ultimate payment of depredationclaims from Indian funds, and I am ready to go farther and to say that the aforesaid act of March 3,1891, so far as it relates to payment of claj~ms, hould either be repealed in toto or be amended so as to place upon the United States the sole responsibility and ulti-mate liability for the payment of judgments rendered on account of Indian depredations. Admitting that it may have been entirely just and proper to have indemnified persons for losses at the time the depredations were eom-mitted, according to the laws then in force, yet this was done in but few cases. Many of these claims origir~ateda t so remote a period that the present genmation of Indians can not possibly have any kuomledge of the depredations committed, and certainly should not be held per-sonally responsible therefor. If theIndians were cognizant, of the effect of the law as it now stands I am satisfied that it would be almost useless for the Government to attempt to negotiate with them for the sale of any lands which they now hold, and it cou11d hardly be called less than a, breach of good faith for the United States to negot,iate with Indians for the sale of their surplus lands, and aftermards, without their knowledge and consent, appropriate the purcllase money for the payment of claims against their ancestors. With possibly one or two exceptions the annuity and trust funds of all Indian tribes are required for their necessary support, education, and future protection, and the payment of these claims, however just they may be, would simply subject the Indians to conditions of such dependence as would in the end necessitate additional appropriations out of the U. 9. Treasury for their support. INTRUDERS IN THE INDIAN TERRITORY. Cherokee Matioq-At the date of my report for 1893, Uommissioner Joshua C. Hutchins, of Athens, Ga.; Peter H. Pernot, of Indianapo-lis, Ind., and Clem V. Rogers, of Oologah, Ind. T., had just commenced their work of appraising the improvements of intruders in the Chero-kee Nation who had begun the occupancy of houses, lauds, or improve-ments in that nation prior to August 11, 1886. The commissioners had been appointed by the President under section 10 of the act of March 3,1893 (providing for the ratification of an agreement for the cession of the Cherokee Outlet to the Government), :cud were proceed-ing nuder instru~lions prepared in this office June 21, 1893, and approved by you July 7,1893. |