CHIPPEWAS OF THE MISSISSIPPI. No. 121. OFFICE UNITED STATES INDIAN AGENT, Chippewa Agency, Minnesota, September 30, 1867. SIR: In pursuance of the rules of the Indian department I have the honor to submit herewith my first annual report: It affords me great pleasure to report that the Indians of this agency, embracing the Chippewas of the Mississippi, the Pillager and Lake Winnebagoshish, and Red Lake and Pembina bands of Chippewa Indians, continue on the most, friendly terms with the whites. The liberality of the government, and the promptness of the department in forwarding my efforts to assist them in farming, has I think inspired them with increased confidence, and a disposition seems manifested to try and become selfsustaining by means of cultivating the soil. There are many difficulties to overcome, and the process of elevating them must be slow, but I think, with constant and persevering effort, improvement in their condition can be made. One great obstacle is their scattered, condition and the difficulty of reaching many of their places of settlement. The want of protection heretofore to those who have attempted to subsist by raising crops has induced them to leave those neighborhoods where the Indians are in the habit of spending their summer, and to seek places less frequented and more difficult of access. For this reason it has been impossible to render them as much assistance as might be were they settled nearer together. My purpose is to collect these and such others as desire to become farmers at accessible points, where the land is most suitable for cultivation, and where more can be done for them, and they at the same time be better able to protect themselves from the depredations of those who have heretofore driven them' almost into exile. The Pillager and Lake Winnebagoshish and Red Lake bands being on permanent reservations, my efforts have been particularly directed the present season to the improvement and enlargement of their farms. The Pillagers have about sixty acres of new breaking besides plowing all the land heretofore under cultivation, most of which has been planted. I have recently visited many of their gardens and found their crops of corn and pota toes looking finely. I intend to break forty acres more for these bands this fall, and if this practice can be continued a few years they will soon have land enough under cultivation to raise crops sufficient for their subsistence. My instruction to the Red Lake farmer was to pursue the same course, but the amount of his improvements I am not able to state. I am informed that their crops are in a good condition and a prospect of an abundant harvest of corn and potatoes, to which their products are chiefly confined. The Chippewas of the Mississippi being very soon to be removed from their present reservations, I have not deemed it advisable to expend very much beyond what was necessary to plant the ground heretofore in cultivation. This was all plowed and mostly planted, and their crops are also looking well. The lateness of the season, and the scarcity of feed, as also the scarcity and high price of seed in the spring were serious obstacles to my success. Of the number of acres under cultivation it is very difficult to form a correct estimate owing to the extensive territory over which it is scattered and the great number and variety of shapes of their gardens, which vary from onefourth to four or five acres. For the approximate amount, as near as I have been able to estimate, I refer you to my statistical report herewith. In consequence of the heavy rains and unusually high waters in the lakes and streams, the rice crop appears likely to be almost an entire failure. This is a great calamity to the Indians, as they depend largely upon it for subsistence, and I fear suffering will ensue in consequence. In pursuance of your instructions of the 16th ultimo I have taken the necessary steps to prepare homes for those who are to remove, on their new reservations, and I hope soon to have them located where the land is better adapted to their wants and me remote from the white settlements. The schools within this agency are in a very unsatisfactory condition. Only one school has been opened this season, and that located at the agency, under the care of a very estimable lady, Mrs. Julia H. Spears, who is doing all she can under the circumstances. The funds placed in my hands for the support of schools for the Pillagers and Lake Winnebagoshish bands I have seen no way yet to expend with reasonable prospect of satisfactory results, but I am now in correspondence with a gentleman whose knowledge of the Indian character and language, and whose lively interest in their welfare, should I succeed in securing his services, affords a hope that something may be done to elevate the condition at least of some of the rising generation. Of the sanitary condition of the Indians you are respectfully referred to the reports of Dr. A. Barnard and Dr. J. M. Weeks, herewith submitted. Most respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. N. G. TAYLOR, J. B. BASSETT, United States Indian Agent. Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. CHIPPEWAS OF LAKE SUPERIOR. No. 122. AGENCY CHIPPEWAS OF LAKE Superior, Bayfield, October 25, 1867. SIR I have the honor to submit herewith my seventh annual report of the condition of the Indians within this agency. The payments for the present year were made at Fond du Lac September 18, Grand Portage September 23, and at Bad River September 30. The Bois Fort bands were paid at Fond du Lac. They made the request "that hereafter their payment be made on their new reservation near Net lake." The treaty made with them April 6, 1866, article 6, says: "It is further agreed, that all payments of annuities to the Bois Fort band of Chippewas shall be made upon their reservation if upon examination it shall be found practicable to do so." I promised to lay their request before the department. The annuity goods can be transported from Fond du Lac to Net lake at an expense of about $400 per ton, if done in the winter. They also made a request that lines of their reservation be changed so as to take in a portion of Pelican lake. They propose to take off four miles in width on the west side of the reservation, and add the same amount on the east side. The reservation was surveyed after the snow had fallen last November, and the Indians say, "they did not have a chance to see the land." It seems to me reasonable that their request be granted. The treaty provides for the selection of two reservations within one year from the date of the treaty. Only one was selected and surveyed on account of the appropriation having been exhausted in making survey of the first one. The cultivation of a few The Indians "insisted upon the treaty stipulations being carried out as soon as possible." I would respectfully recommend that you ask Congress at its next session for an appropriation of $1,000 for this purpose. These Indians live almost altogether by the chase. patches of land with potatoes is the extent of their agricultural operations. The treaty provides for the erection of eight houses for chiefs, a school-house, a blacksmith shop, and an agency building on their new reservation. I have made the specification, and advertised for proposals to erect all the buildings the coming winter, except the agency building. The treaty made with the Chippewas of Lake Superior, in 1842, expired last year, and they find themselves in very destitute circumstances. The amount of the annuities in money and goods paid to these Indians is $13,000, to be divided among over 5,000 Indians, who are scattered over several hundred miles of country. The amount being so small, will not pay the Indians to come after. These Indians have always been loyal and peaceable, and deserve favorable consideration from the government. Many of them have adopted the customs of the whites, and are willing and anxious to find employment, and they deserve to be encouraged and assisted. They have a good saw-mill and plenty of timber, but there is no appropriation to run the same. They desire to make farms, and learn agricultural pursuits, but for lack of means they find it impossible. Many who lead a roving life would willingly settle on one of their reservations if they could receive assistance in building houses, clearing land and have seed furnished, but to remove their families on the reservation without any assistance to get started would result in their starving. The appropriation of $3,000 annually, under the treaty of 1854, for agricultural purposes, &c., is divided among Indians living on seven different reservations. This amount is all they have to provide them with such articles as are absolutely necessary for them to have, such as ploughs, scythes, rakes, hoes, chains, working oxen and subsistence for same, salt, lime, lumber, nails, glass, &c., &c., &c. A delegation of the chiefs have asked permission to visit Washington the coming winter, to investigate regarding their accounts, and for the purpose of laying their condition before the department. I would respectfully recommend that permission be given them. Hon. N. G. TAYLOR, L. E. WEBB, Commissioner Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. NEW YORK AGENCY. No. 123. OFFICE INDIAN AGENCY FOR THE INDIANS OF NEW York, Buffalo, September 30, 1867. SIR: In compliance with the regulations of the Indian department I have the honor herewith to submit this my first annual report relative to the affairs of this agency. It has been necessary for me in the discharge of my official duties to visit the several bands of Indians embraced within this agency, and it gives me great pleasure to report that as a general rule I found a higher state of civilization among these people than I had expected, although the older men and women cling with great tenacity to their ancient manners and customs. They are willing and often anxious that their children should be educated and enjoy the privileges and benefits to be derived therefrom; while all are making greater or less proficiency in educational matters, it is reasonable to conclude that some bands will advance and improve faster than others. Much credit is due, especially to the Cattaraugus people, not only for the interest manifested in education, but also the improvement of their lands. Many have pleasant homes and are enterprising and thrifty farmers. The same can be said for the other bands, but perhaps none can be said to be doing as well as the Cattaraugus band. Their annual fair has just closed, and I am told that much interest was manifested ; however, I was not able to attend. The Tonawanda band purchased a bell with the money you appropriated to them for that purpose, and have hung it in their new church and they are very much pleased with it. The annuity goods for the last year were handed over to me by my predecessor, C. B. Rich, on the 22d day of last May, and immediately distributed among the several bands of Indians of this agency pro rata. They seemed highly gratified, and I think the class of goods sent them were more valuable than the same amount of money would have been, expended in any other class of goods, and probably you could do no better than send about the same next year. I would suggest, however, that a greater variety in the pattern of prints would be more acceptable. I received from the United States Treasurer for fulfilling treaty stipulations with the Senecas residing on the Cattaraugus, Allegheny and Tonawanda reservations, $11,890 06, which has been paid over to said bands and vouchers taken therefor, agreeable to your instructions; also the further sum of $6,245, trust fund interest, which I have paid to the Tonawanda band of Senecas, and taken vouchers therefor, agreeable to your instructions. Herewith I submit the report of the trustees of the Thomas Asylum for orphan and destitute Indian children. I have visited this institution during the past summer and take great pleasure in recommending it to your favorable consideration. Here a large family of destitute and homeless children are cared for and properly trained and educated, as you will learn from their report. The State contributes largely for their support; individuals are liberal in their donations, and the receipt of $1,000 from your departinent is gratefully acknowledged. Still the trustees are in debt. You will please notice that in their report the trustees suggest that the allowance they are expecting at your hands will, when received, greatly reduce their present indebtedness. 66 I think it highly proper to submit in this connection a copy of the report made to me by Eben M. Pettit, esq., treasurer of the Thomas Asylum. He says that the number of school districts in which schools have been taught during the year closing on the 30th day of September, 1867, is on the Cattaraugus reservation 10, and on the Allegheny reservation 6. The number of weeks taught in each, 24; the whole number of children registered in all the schools, 565; in average attendance, 321. Five of the teachers are Indian girls, some of whom are qualified to teach any district school. Nearly all the other teachers have first-class certificates from county superintendents, and are in all respects firstclass teachers. It is to be regretted that the funds appropriated for their support has not permitted longer terms. I am able to report excellent progress all the schools, with but one or two exceptions, where they were interrupted by sickness, notwithstanding the limited time the schools were taught. The fund for the support of these schools has been increased about 25 per cent., and the length of the terms will be extended accordingly." The benefits resulting to this people from the system of schools established for them by the State of New York cannot well be estimated. Their mental and moral elevation, their social comforts, their better industrial and social habits, better houses, furniture and food, for which the New York Indians are mainly indebted to the faithful self-denying labors of their missionaries and school teachers, are ample compensation for all the effort, time and money expended for their benefit. Your communication under date of January 2, 1867, relative to the "subject of erecting a building upon the Tonawanda reservation for a council house," was immediately submitted to the chiefs or head men of that band; but at that time and for some time after there was considerable effort being made to abolish the office of chiefs, and organize under a different form of government with a new set of officers. This movement, however, was unsuccessful, but delayed any action in the premises until recently. I shall soon be able to forward to you some statements and estimates in regard to this matter. Herewith I respectfully submit two statistical reports, one of them agricultural, the other educational. They are made from the most reliable information I could obtain. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. CHARLES E. MIX, H. S. CUNNINGHAM, Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. No. 124. SIR: The trustees of the Thomas Asylum for Orphan and Destitute Indian Children respectfully beg leave to report to you, and through you to the Indian department at Washington, the condition of the asylum for the year ending the 30th of September, 1867. The number of children reported in the institution at the close of last year was 52, of whom three were then dismissed, leaving to commence the current year 49, of whom 45 remained through the year. There were received during the year 38, making the total number 87, of whom 50 are boys and 37 are girls. Dismissions during the year are seven; died, one; number remainining at the close of the year, 79, of whom 45 are boys and 34 are girls. The average of the whole year is 581. The financial statistics are as follows: Receipts from all sources. $8,843 97 Of which from the State of New York for the support of children.. $2,652 50 |