when america was discovered, in 1492, the whole continent was thinly populated (except in some few regions where a considerable degree of civilization and skill in agriculture had been attained, as in mexico and peru) by roving tribes of natives, of unknown origin. these were called, by europeans, indians, from the erroneous idea of columbus, and the men of that age at first, that there was only one continent; and that they had reached the eastern shore of asia, when america was discovered.
the whole of the region comprising our country was in the possession of a great number of these tribes. their number, when permanent settlements began to be made, is not known, but probably amounted, in all the vast territory, to only a[352] few million—perhaps two or three. they divided the country between them, in an indefinite way, war and hunting being their chief occupations. they attempted very little cultivation of the soil. the settlements of the indians were as indefinite and moveable as their boundaries, and they attached little value to land. territory was acquired from them partly by force and partly by purchase. these last were usually made for a nominal sum, and with little comprehension, on their part, of the importance and future effects of its alienation.
as the settlements of europeans extended, frequent and barbarous wars, greatly exasperating the whites, arose as a revenge for private injuries, or in retaliation of encroachments on their hunting grounds. as these always ended, ultimately, in favor of the settlers, and the indians were driven farther back, the country was taken possession of as the spoils of conquest. these desolating contests, and the easily-acquired vices of the whites constantly diminished their numbers. they were so inherently wild men that the conquered remnants usually withered and faded away under the process of civilization.
when, after the war of the revolution, the settlements came to be consolidated and extensive, under the rapid growth of the population, lands were reserved for these remnants; treaties were made with them, as with independent nations; and, from their improvidence and carelessness as to the economical preservation of their resources, the indemnities allowed them for the lands to which they renounced all claim were paid to them in installments, or as annuities, by the government. this system has been continued to the present day, and has occasioned the establishment of the
indian bureau of the interior department.
it is presided over by the commissioner of indian affairs, appointed in the usual way by the president and senate. numerous superintendents and agents are appointed to reside near the different locations assigned to the indians, to conduct[353] the business under his supervision, and receive and distribute the goods and moneys given by treaty to each tribe. they give bonds for faithfulness in the employment of funds destined for the indians. they are appointed for four years, and report and account to the department of the interior.
except a few who are taxed, the indians are not counted among our population as citizens. they have, therefore, no representative in congress, nor, except the criminal law to some extent, are they amenable to other of our laws than such as the treaties have established. their internal government is conducted by themselves alone, neither governor, judge, nor courts being established, as in other territorial jurisdictions.
they are difficult to control, however, not recognizing, as civilized people do (except a small number who are far on the way to civilization), the obligations of treaties and pledges. dishonest and self-seeking men often take advantage of their ignorance and their love of ardent spirits and trinkets, to cheat and injure them. to remedy this as far as possible, white men are not permitted to reside on their reservations unless by special license of the government. nor can they alienate their lands to white men not officials acting under government supervision.
all pains are required to be taken by the government officers to promote their interests, and schools and missions are encouraged among them, and agricultural implements are furnished so far as they can be persuaded to use them. in short, it is the benevolent and enlightened aim of the government to act as the guardians of their true interests, to encourage mental and moral culture among them, and assist them toward the acquisition of the arts and comforts of civilized life.
it will easily be comprehended that many difficulties oppose themselves to this effort with a race whose instincts are so wild and fierce, and who adopt our vices so much more readily than our virtues, and are so easily influenced by bad and designing men. still, progress is made, as will be seen in the case of
[354]
the indian territory.
it is situated south of the 37th degree of north latitude, and west of the states of arkansas and missouri. texas bounds it on the south. it has 71,127 square miles, and is about a third larger than the state of illinois. it is very fertile, for the most part, and a beautiful region. it is inhabited, in great part, by indians who have been transferred from the regions east of the mississippi, mostly cherokees, creeks, choctaws, and seminoles. some of these were removed by persuasion, and some by force, from their former homes, where they were disturbed by proximity to the rapidly increasing white population.
each tribe has its own section of the territory. here they practice their own customs unmolested, and conduct their own government. many of them, especially the cherokees, are intelligent and industrious. they have churches and schools and factories, highly-cultivated farms and good buildings. improvement is so marked among them that it is not improbable that they may at some future time become a state in our union. at present they are amenable to the circuit and district courts of the adjoining states when certain crimes are committed by them against the whites in those states, but our courts have no authority over their relations to one another.
the population of the territory is 70,000. the entire indian population of the country is over 300,000. they are scattered over the states and territories between the missouri river and the pacific coast, and those outside the indian territory are often at war with each other and with our citizens, requiring many troops and a large expense to keep them in subjection. it is probable that, as a race, they will soon become extinct, except, perhaps, those in the indian territory. they are uneasy, and dangerous neighbors to the whites in those sparsely-settled regions. the amount appropriated to the indians by congress for the year 1873-4, was $5,513,937, which was exclusive of their annuities, or funds invested for them, of which they receive the annual interest.
