and the walls and ceilings to be lathed and plastered. The shops and warehouses to be plain walls, with necessary doors and windows, and the floors to be two-inch plank; each building to rest upon substantial foundations. 3. We have thought best to clear from seventy to one hundred acres on the north shore of Leech lake, in lots of not less than ten acres each, and to erect on said lands from seven to ten houses for chiefs. The expense of clearing and building not to exceed the proportionate amount appropriated for those purposes; more land to be cleared and more houses to be built provided the Indians manifest a desire to select grounds, and to assist, to considerable extent, in said improvement. Ten to fifteen acres near Otter Tail Point to be put into crop this season. 4. But of the fund for building roads, bridges, &c., to new agency, we think there should be an additional amount of about fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500) expended on road to new agency, and a road from Red lake to agency, including the building of one bridge across the Mississippi river, and two other bridges of small size; and we julge that two thousand dollars, ($2,000,) or thereabouts, expended in building a small steamboat would supercede the necessity of applying that amount in building roads, and answer a far better purpose. In view of the labor already performed in the way of getting material prepared, as also the short time before the work should be commenced so as to finish this season, as well as the improbability of getting responsible parties to do the work by contract except at exorbitant prices, we conclude it would be better for the agent to prosecute the work immediately, as per estimates Yet if you think of any advantages or obligations demanding advertisements we will cheerfully carry out any suggestions you may give. As time is all important, please telegraph at once provided you wish a change from above conclusions. Should you telegraph, please send to Minneapolis, care of Daniel Bassett, esq., postmaster. We have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servants, Hon. D. N. COOLEY, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. HENRY W. REED, EDWIN CLARK, No. 154. OFFICE OF UNITED STATES INDIAN AGENT, Chippewa Agency, Minnesota, May 19, 1866. SIR: I have the honor to report that on Sunday evening, May 6, a party of six Indians visited Crow Wing village, five miles from the agency, on the border of the reservation, and obtained whiskey of different parties, for their furs. The result was that the whole party, with others, became beastly drunk, and in their drunken spree, all except one were more or less severely wounded by knives or clubs. On Monday morning, the seventh, a citizen notified Captain G. H. Crosman, commanding post at Fort Ripley, of the occurrence, and that officer immediately sent up a detachment of soldiers, and arrested five of the six drunken Indians, and two of the men charged with selling them whiskey. Two of the Indians escaped on their way to the fort. I learned the above facts on Tuesday morning, and went immediately to the fort, and took the Indians' testimony in relation to the affair. Their testimony implicated other parties besides the two men already in custody. I requested Captain Crosman to have them arrested, which he did next day, making four in all, to wit: William Horn, Simeon Weaver, Ezra Briggs, and Roger Aiken. I immediately wrote to United States District Attorney H. L Moss, of St. Paul, stating the facts in the case, accompanied by the Indians' testimony, and asked that he would give the matter his immediate attention. I also requested the cominanding officer to detain the parties until relieved by United States marshal. United States Marshal Eaton arrived at the fort on the fifteenth, from St. Paul, and started on his return next morning with the four men above named, leaving the Iadians to be sent down next day, or as soon as practicable. That night, however, the three Indians detained in the fort as witnesses, were allowed to make their escape. I returned from Leech lake yesterday, the eighteenth, bringing with me another Indian of the same party, not before arrested, whose story agrees substantially with the statements of those who escaped from the fort, and I have sent him forward, with the interpreters, in charge of Doctor Barnard, this morning, to St. Paul. I think the testimony of this witness will be sufficient to hold the parties for trial. I have evidence against other parties, which I shall immediately report to the United States district attorney. The United States district court will be in session at Winona next month. I have not yet received an answer to my letter of April 3, asking for a copy of decision of supreme court in certain liquor cases. Most respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. D. N. COOLEY, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. P. S.-Later. The mail brings the decision above referred to. EDWIN CLARK, United States Indian Agent. E. C. No. 155. OFFICE OF UNITED STATES INDIAN AGENT, Chipperoa Agency, Minnesota, August 18, 1866. SIR: I have to report that yesterday (Friday) morning I received information from Leech lake that a party of Indians were planning to destroy the government property at that place, and to frighten away the government employés. I sent a messenger to Fort Ripley at once, asking for a detachment of soldiers to be stationed at Leech lake for such time as might be deemed necessary to prevent any outbreak or destruction of government property. The officer at the fort complied with my request promptly, and sent forward twenty-two soldiers with ten days' rations. They will doubtless reach Leech lake to-day. It is said that these Indians were advised to this course by persons in this vicinity who wished to make trouble and delay about the removal of the Mississippi Indians to their new reservation. I do not apprehend any serious trouble, but thought it best to have a small force of soldiers sent to Leech lake, to let these Indians who were disposed to do mischief know that they would be attended to, and punished if any depredations were committed by them. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the threatened outbreak among the Indians at Leech lake has subsided. The detachment of soldiers sent forward on Friday last reached there on the following day, much to the relief of the families and employés at that place, as well as to the surprise of the Indians. That a party of Indians did contemplate the destruction of government property, the killing of cattle, and frightening away, if possible, of the employés, is a fact, but the presence of soldiers on the ground before they had fully matured their plans has caused them to abandon the whole matter for the present at least. That these Indians were encouraged to make trouble by persons living in this vicinity I have not the least doubt, but it may be impossible to obtain positive information as to the origin of the contemplated movement. There are about a score of young Indians, called the Scallawags of Leech lake, who are always ready for mischief when there is any one base enough to plan the dirty work for them. I do not apprehend any further cause of alarm among the employés, but think it advisable for the soldiers to remain at Leech lake for the present. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. D. N. COOLEY, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. CHIPPEWAS OF LAKE SUPERIOR. No. 157. WASHINGTON, August 6, 1866. SIR: I enclose herewith request of the Catholic Indians on the Bad River reservation for permission to build a Catholic church on said reservation. This petition was handed me by the bishop, in presence of several chiefs. I have, during the past five years, received frequent petitions for the same thing, but have never laid them before the department for the reason that there was a Protestant missionary residing on the reservation, and he has made strong objections, urging that where a missionary of one denomination was located on a reserve the policy of the government had been to allow them to occupy the field unmolested. The Catholics are increasing very fast, and the labors of the Catholic missionary have produced very salutary results among these Indians in many different ways, especially in restraining the use of ardent spirits. I am compelled, by the results I have witnessed, to report in favor of this request. I think they are entitled to a comfortable place of worship, and am satisfied that the best interests of the Indians would be subserved by encouraging the labors of the Catholic missionary among them. I think every person, whether red or white, should be allowed the privilege of worshipping God according to the dictates of his own conscience. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon D. N. COOLEY, Commissioner of Indian Affairs LE WEBB, United States Indian Agent. OUR FATHER: We now tender you our wishes on paper, and will be happy if our father will gratify us in our request. Our great desire is that we should have a Catholic church built on the reserve at Bad river. It is true that we have a small place of worship, but it is entirely too small to accommodate our increasing numbers; we are increasing every year Now, this is the principal desire of your red children. The Laae Court Oreille Chippewas are also desirous that a Catholic church be built at Bad river. Now, if our request is granted, all of your red children will be extremely happy. From your Christian red children on the Bad River reservation. To General L. E. WEBB, Chippewa Agent. (List of Catholic Indians accompanying the above showed the number to be 158, of all ages.) The request was granted. WINNEBAGOES AND POTTAWATOMIES OF WISCONSIN. No. 158. AGENCY OF STRAY BANDS OF WINNEBAGO AND POTTAWATOMIE SIR In compliance with the requirements of your office I have the honor to submit the following report: The Indians under my charge, as far as I am acquainted with their condition from actual examination and inquiry, are as comfortable and peaceable as could be expected from their situation and their proximity to the white settlement. They have done very well the past summer in hunting, trapping, and picking berries The cranberry crop was large this fall, and the prices quite remunerative. They have done quite a business in picking and selling them. The Pottawatomies of Lake Horicon and those who stay in that vicinity have spent most of the summer in Portage, Waapaca, and Wood counties. About one hundred families have remained in this locality during the summer. They informed me a few days since that they were going back to Like Horicon to spend the winter. They usually have very good luck there in trapping for furs. A portion of them make their permanent winter quarters on Little Wolf river, in the northern part of this (Portage) and Waupacca counties, from fifteen to twenty miles north of the white settlements. They have in that vicinity, at their different camps, some forty or fiity acres of corn and potatoes. They have quite permanent structures for houses, and excellent hunting grounds, especially on the north They inform me that bears are very plenty this fall. Many of them are just now passing through here from their cranberrying expedition on Wisconsin river to their winter quarters. Those who stay at Lake Horicon inform me that they have considerable corn growing in that locality. They are leaving here to go and harvest their corn Most of the Pottawatomies and many of the Winnebagoes have ponies, which, with their guns, constitute the most of their wealth. They make quite a business in raising ponies for sale. Their ponies are small-sized, but very hardy, capable of living in winter in thick timber on browse. The Winnebagoes make their permanent stopping place in Janeau, Adams, and Wood counties, most of them near and on the Great Marsh, in Janeau county. They make quite a business in the fall of picking and selling cranberries. They inform me that bears are plenty in their locality, and think the trapping will be good this fall and winter. They have raised some corn; the amount I have not ascertained. With one or two exceptions they are very peaceable and quiet. There are those whites who will complain when the Indians congregate in their vicinity, although they commit no depredations. Our source of complaint arises from some objecting to the Indians hunting or trapping in their vicinity. They express a desire to remain in the country, and a willingness to be quiet and peaceable. One idea they have is, that they should be permitted to go out into unfenced and unoccupied lands. They think there is no propriety in their being refused the privilege of pasturing their horses on wild marshes that are unoccupied and unfenced, and are only used for cutting hay. This has, in one or two instances, been the cause of complaint to me by the owners of such lands. The greatest enemy they have is in those who traffic and, without regard to law, persist in selling them ardent spirits. This it is impossible to wholly prevent so long as they mingle and traffic with the whites. There are plenty of men who, for the profit, will, in defiance of law, take the chances of furnishing them whiskey. As far as I have been able to ascertain, in nine cases out of ten, when any trouble or difficulty has occurred, the cause could be traced to their having obtained intoxicating liquors. If they are to be permitted to remain in this state for a length of time, in my judgment it would be policy to set apart for their use some tract of land belonging to government, away from the settlements, and give them to understand that they must go on to it and make it their usual and permauent stopping-place. There are plenty of localities unsuited for agricultural purposes and well adapted to their condition which will probably never be settled by the whites, and would make them a suitable home, where, if they were moved, they would be less liable to roam around, aud, consequently, less liable to the evil contaminations which result from their mingling with the whites. They seem to have little desire for education. I know of only one (a Winnebago) that could ever read or write, and he has forgotten nearly all he ever knew about it. He is a son of Dikora, one of the headmen of the Winnebago bands. The only Pottawatomies that have any knowledge of books are a few half-breeds In religion many are Catholics, either from early association with Catholic missions, or from notion, inherited from their parents. There are no missions among them now that I am aware of. In my opinion if the different straggling bands of the two tribe were congregated together, both their physical and moral condition would be greatly improved, with far less expense and trouble than would attend an effort for that object when they are broken up and scattered in small bauds and families, and roving around from place to place, as at present. I think their numbers have not increased any in the State during thelast year. Some who come from Kansas have returned back. Those Indians being so much scattered, and a portion almost constantly moving about, renders it almost impossible to report their numbers accurately, or to give anything more than an approximate estimate with reference to statistics connected with their affairs. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. D. N. COOLEY, Commissioner of Indian Affairs. O. H. LAMONEM, United States Special Indian Agent. MACKINAC AGENCY. No. 159. OFFICE OF MACKINAC INDIAN AGENCY, SIR: In obedience to the requirements of the rules and regulations of the Indian department, I respectfully submit to you, for your consideration, my second annual report of the number and condition of the Indians within this agency. According to the latest census, taken for the purpose of distributing annuities to them in fulfilment of treaty stipulations, this agency contains an Indian population of seven thou sand nine hundred and twenty-five souls, as follows, viz : The social and moral condition of the Indians within this agency has not materially changed since the date of my last annual report. The usual well-meant efforts have been put forth in their behalf by the missionaries, teachers, and others interested in their welfare, pr ducing about the usual results. But, from the very nature of the case, progress with the Indian race in civilization is and must be slow Indeed the word progress, as ap. plicable to the Indian, has not the significance which it has when applied to the intelligent and energetic white man, and, considering the rights and limited advantages they have, they probably succeed quite as well as their more highly favored white neighbors, and, for this reason, their errors and deficiencies ought not, in my opinion, to be too severely criticised. Watched and pursued, and preyed upon as they have been by large numbers of unscrupulous white men, more powerful because more intelligent, it appears to me somewhat remarkable that their conduct and lives are as good and creditable as they are. Nor is the poor Indian wronged only by bad white men, but it is a fact which is made more apparent to me every year of my connection with this branch of public service, and I mention it more in sorrow than in anger, that many of the better class of society seem to regard him as an evil and forlorn bird of prey, to be plucked at will, and who do not hes itate to lend a helping hand in the foul and nefarious work, whenever an opportunity offers itself. And especially is this the case whenever the cash and goods annuities are paid to them in fulfilment of treaty stipulations. These, together with the lands reserved and set apart by the government for their use and benefit in their destitute and almost homeless condition, are very generally regarded as legitimate plunder. Often are their annuities obtained without a just equivalent, aud their lands trespassed upon with impunity and without redress. Thus situated and exposed, the poor Indian needs, and, for years to come must have, a guardian, and every year's experience among them serves more deeply to impress me with the necessity of watchful care and earnest faithfulness on the part of those commissioned to look after his welfare. I am convinced that, if it is possible, more ought to be done by the government to protect and save him from unprincipled and greedy white men, who follows his footsteps only to prey upon him and devour his substance. The greatest and first care of the government now should, in my opinion, be the appointment of well-known honest, faithful, and capable men for superintendents and agents to reside among them, and requiring of them to be men of one work, and that work the care of the Indians put under their charge. Inefficiency or unfaithfulness here thwarts the generally good and benevolent intentions of the government towards this unfortunate race, and is perhaps the prolific source of most of the depre lations and outrages committed by them. In my last report I had occasion to remark that the land matters of the Indians of this agency seem to require special attention at the hands of the department. I now beg leave to refer you to what was then and there said upon that subject, and I have to add that the same necessity for action is greater now than at that time. Trespasses are constantly increasing in number upon their reservations, and will undoubtedly continue to do so from year to year, as the tide of population sweeps over the |
