condition of the public buildings, and to show the tendency of the Capitol, the Patent Office, and the Treasury building, to dilapidation from the perishable nature of the material of which they are constructed. PerSoLal observation has satisfied me that his fears on that subject are well founded. Experience has demonstrated that the sandstone of which they are built, when left unprotected from the action of the atmosphere, rapidly disintegrates. The only temporary preventive which has yet been discovered and applied is a strong coating of paint, which, by closing the pores of the stone, prevents the absorption of water. This expedient has been found to be attended with partial success in the preservation of the Capitol and President's house. I would respectfully recommend, therefore, that an appropriation be made of an amount suffi. cient to defray the cost of coating the Treasury building thoroughly with paint; but, at the same time, it should be left discretionary to adopt any improved method of effecting the same end.

In regard to the Patent Office, as the wings are to be of white marble, and the ends are now protected by being joined to the wings, leaving only the front and rear exposed to decay, and as not merely disintegration but actual dilapidation has already commenced, I would recommend that the entire exterior facing of the front be removed, and its place supplied by a veneering of white marble of the same quality as that used in the construction of the wings. The whole building would then present a uniform appearance, and be rendered comparatively indestructible by atmospheric agency. Practical workmen have expressed the opinion that it can be done at a small cost when compared with its beneficial results, and without in any degree endangering the security and stability of the walls; but, should any doubt be entertained on the subject, scientific engineers might be consulted, and means taken to ascertain the actual cost, in time for legislative action before the close of the approaching session of Congress. If the result should be favorable, it would then be time to inquire how far the same system should be pursued in reference to the Treasury building. The extent of the colonnade in front of that building, however, gives reason to doubt whether the same system can be readily adopted in regard to it. The only expedient that is left, therefore, for the preservation of that massive structure, is by a coating of paint. In this connexion, I beg leave to urge the propriety of completing with as little delay as practicable both wings of the Patent Office. Until this be done, the large sums already expended will be of no practical use, and the edifice will present a mutilated appearance. But there are other considerations of the most urgent character which call for their completion. At present the various officers attached to the Department of the Interior are scattered through six different buildings widely separated from each other, bur of which are owned by private individuals.

Three of these are not only unsuited in their interior arrangements for he purposes for which they are used, but are of combustible materials aad contiguous to private dwellings. The officers are, therefore, sub. red to great inconvenience in communicating with the head of the department, and the public archives are in constant danger from fire. The at now paid for rooms affording this imperfect and insecure accommotation exceeds $8,000 per annum. But the rooms in the War Departat occupied by the Indian Bureau are needed for the purposes of that department, and those in the Treasury building occupied by the General

Land Office are required by the Secretary of the Treasury, and notice to that effect has been given to this department.

If additional rooms are rented to be used instead of those vacated in the War and Treasury buildings, the amount of the annual rent to be paid will be more than doubled, and the most valuable archives of the government, comprising the muniments of title to many millions of acres of what was once the public domain, will be placed in a condition of great insecurity.

I therefore recommend that the two wings of the Patent Office be finished, and that they be appropriated to the accommodation of the Department of the Interior, and the different offices thereto attached. They will thus be brought under one roof, the communication between the head of the department and the different bureaus will be greatly facilitated, and the records of the government safely lodged in a fire-proof building. These are advantages which will be cheaply bought by the expenditure of the sum necessary to complete those wings.

INTRODUCTION OF WATER INTO THE CITY.

The vast enlargements of our territorial limits, and the rapid growth of the country in wealth and population, have been attended with a corresponding increase of the public business, and of the number of persons employed to perform it. A large proportion of the population of the city of Washington is directly or indirectly connected with the affairs of gov ernment. The representatives of the people and the States from all sections of the Union annually assemble here to perform their high functions, and are detained during the greater part of each alternate year. Many of them come from salubrious regions, where the diseases incident to more southern climates are unknown. It would seem, then, to be a duty of the gov ernment, of the most imperative character, to adopt all necessary precau tions to guard against everything which tends to endanger the health of these servants of the people and their families. To accomplish this purpose, and at the same time to contribute to the comfort of the whole population, and to afford an effectual safeguard to all the public offices against fire, I respectfully recommend the introduction into the national metropolis of a copious supply of pure water; to be thrown, in the first place, into a reservoir on some elevated point in its vicinity, and thence distributed through the public buildings and densely populated parts of the city.

The improvement of the public grounds by enclosing and planting them with trees and shrubbery, and providing promenades and fountains, is a subject of kindred character, tending to the same results, and only second in importance to the supply of water; I therefore commend it also to you favorable consideration.

i have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ALEX. H. H. STUART,

Secretary.

To the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

REPORT

OF

THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

Office of Indian Affairs, November 27, 1850.

SIR: Before proceeding to submit, for your consideration, a general view of our Indian Affairs and relations during the last twelve months, I would respectfully refer to the accompanying reports of the superintendents, agents, and missionaries, in the Indian country, for more particular information in relation to local operations, and the condition of the various tribes, than can be fitly imbodied in a report of this description. Among the less remote tribes with which we have fixed and defined relations, and which, to a greater or less extent, have felt the controlling and meliorating effects of the policy and measures of the government for preserving peace among them and improving their condition, an unusual degree of order and quietude has prevailed. It is gratifying to know that amongst this class, comprising a large portion of the red race within. our widely extended borders, there probably has never, during the same period of time, been so few occurrences of a painful nature. All have been peaceful towards our citizens; while, with the exception of the Sioux and Chippewas, they have preserved a state of peace and harmony among themselves. These two tribes are hereditary enemies, and scarcely a year passes without scenes of bloody strife between them. From their remoteness and scattered condition, it is difficult to exercise any effective restraint over them, while their proximity to each other af fords them frequent opportunities for indulging their vengeful and vindictive feelings. Each tribe seems to be constantly on the watch for occasions to attack weaker parties of the other, when an indiscriminate massacre of men, women, and children, is the lamentable result. During the last spring mutual aggressions, of an aggravated character, threatened to involve these tribes in a general war; but the acting superintendent, Governor Ramsey, aided and assisted by the commanding officer at Fort Snelling, promptly interposed, and by timely and judicious efforts prevented such a catastrophe.

Such occurrences are not only revolting to humanity, but they foster that insatiable passion for war, which, in combination with love of the chase, is the prominent characteristic feature of our wilder tribes, and presents a formidable obstacle in the way of their civilization and improvement. We know not yet to what extent these important objects may be accomplished; but the present and improving condition of some of our semi-civilized tribes affords ample encouragement for further and more extended effort. Experience, however, has conclusively shown that there is but one course of policy by which the great work of regenerating the Indian race may be effected.

In the application of this policy to our wilder tribes, it is indispensably

necessary that they be placed in positions where they can be controlled, and finally compelled by stern necessity to resort to agricultural labor or starve. Considering, as the untutored Indian does, that labor is a degradation, and that there is nothing worthy of his ambition but prowess in war, success in the chase, and eloquence in council, it is only under such circumstances that his haughty pride can be subdued, and his wild energies trained to the more ennobling pursuits of civilized life. There should be assigned to each tribe, for a permanent home, a country adapted to agriculture, of limited extent and well-defined boundaries; within which all, with occasional exceptions, should be compelled constantly to remain until such time as their general improvement and good conduct may supersede the necessity of such restrictions. In the mean time the government should cause them to be supplied with stock, agricultural implements, and useful materials for clothing; encourage and assist them in the erection of comfortable dwellings, and secure to them the means and facilities of education, intellectual, moral, and religious. The application of their own funds to such purposes would be far better for them than the present system of paying their annuities in money, which does substantial good to but few, while to the great majority it only furnishes the means and incentive to vicious and depraving indulgence, terminating in destitution and misery, and too frequently in premature death.

The time is at hand for the practical application of the foregoing views to the Sioux and Chippewas, as well as to some of the more northern tribes on the borders of Missouri and Iowa. Congress has made an appropriation for negotiations with the Sioux for a portion of their lands, which should, as far as practicable, be conducted on the principles laid down in the instructions given to the commissioners appointed for that purpose last year, and which were communicated with the annual report of my predecessor. Those instructions contemplated the purchase of a large extent of their territory, and their concentration within narrower limits upon lands remote from the white settlements and the Chippewas; objects of primary importance, in view of the general policy already stated.

Since the treaties of 1837 and 1842, with the Chippewas, a considerable portion of those Indians have continued, by sufferance, to reside on the ceded lands east of the Mississippi river, in Wisconsin and Minnesota, where they have for some years been brought into injurious contact with our rapidly advancing and increasing population in that quarter. Having ample facilities for procuring ardent spirits, they have become much injured and corrupted by unrestrained indulgence in the use of that accursed element of evil. To remedy this unfortunate state of things, it was determined, at an early period of the present year, to have these Indians removed northward to the country belonging to their tribe. Measures for this purpose were accordingly adopted; but, in consequence of the very late period at which the appropriation requisite to meet the necessary expenses was made, only a small number have, as yet, been removed. Their entire removal, however, will not sufficiently relieve our citizens from annoyance by them, as they will for some time have the disposition, and be near enough, to return with facility to their old haunts and hunting grounds. Nor will the situation of the Chippewas, generally, then be such as their well-being requires. They own a vast extent of territory on each side of the Mississippi, over which they will be scattered, following the chase and indulging in, their vagrant habits, until the wild products of the country, on which they depend for a subsistence, are exhausted,

and they are brought to a state of destitution and want. Efforts should therefore be made, at as early a period as practicable, to concentrate them within proper limits, where, with some additional means beyond those already provided, effective arrangements could be made to introduce among them a system of education, and the practice of agriculture and the simpler mechanic arts. The best portion of their country for this purpose is west of the Mississippi river; but it is not owned by the whole tribe in common-a considerable part of it being the exclusive property of particular bands, who are not parties to any of our treaties, and receive no annuities or other material aid from the United States. This circumstance not only excites dissatisfaction with the government, but produces much jealousy and bad feeling towards the rest of the tribe, which may hereafter lead to serious difficulty, and, as the game on which they mainly depend for the means of living must soon fail them, the government will be under the necessity of interposing to save them from starvation. A wise forecast and the dictates of a benevolent policy alike suggest that timely measures be taken to avert so disastrous a result. This may easily be done, and at a moderate expense compared with the importance of the objects to be accomplished.

In order to enable the department to carry out these views in reference to the whole Chippewa tribe, I respectfully recommend that Congress be asked for an appropriation at the ensuing session to defray the expense of negotiating a joint treaty with the different bands, for the purpose of acquiring so much of their country on the east side of the Mississippi as we may require for a long time to come; to provide that the whole of their remaining lands, together with their present and future means, shall be the common property of the whole tribe, so that all will be placed upon an equal footing; and that as large a proportion of their funds as practicable shall be set apart and applied in such a manner as will secure their comfort, and most rapidly advance them in civilization and prosperity. With such arrangements for this tribe, and the adoption of a like policy towards the Winnebagoes, now located in their vicinity on the west side of the Mississippi, and the Menomonies, soon to be removed there, the whole face of our Indian relations in that quarter would in a few years present an entire and gratifying change. We should soon witness in this, our northern colony of Indians, those evidences of general improvement now becoming clearly manifest among a number of our colonized tribes in the southwest, and which present to the mind of the philanthropist and the Christian encouraging assurance of the practicability of regenerating the red race of our country, and elevating them to a position, moral and social, similar if not equal to our own. There are two evils in the section of country referred to, operating injuriously upon the welfare and interests of the Indians in that quarter, and our citizens engaged in trade among them, which require prompt attention, and which must be suppressed before our Indian relations there can be placed upon a safe and satisfactory footing. These are, first, the immense annual destruction of the buffalo and other game by the half-breeds from the British side of the line, generally in the employment of the Hudson Bay Company; and, secondly, the introduction d ardent spirits among our Indians by the traders of that company. The embarrassment and injury to our Indians resulting from the devastation of game by these foreign depredators have justly occasioned much dissatis. faction among them, and, if not soon checked, serious difficulties may wal be apprehended. The introduction of ardent spirits among the