projected upon a scale suited to their wants and condition, and to the duties of the United States. With a view to appreciate the advantages which have been secured to them, I deem it proper briefly to recapitulate the provisions that have been made. These are not applicable, in all their details, to each tribe, as some receive more and some less in amount, while certain articles are given to some and not to others. But the general principles of distribution apply to all. An extensive country has been reserved for them, and has been divided into districts for the several tribes. To this they are removed at the expense of the United States. They are provided with the necessary subsistence for one year after they reach their new residence. Annuities, in specie, to a greater or less amount, are payable to each tribe. Agricultural instruments, domestic animals, seed corn, salt, looms, cards, spinning wheels, iron, steel, cloths, blankets, rifles, ammunition, and other articles are distributed among them. Mills are erected and kept in operation. Council-houses, churches, and dwelling-houses for chiefs are built. Mechanics are engaged and supported; schools are established and maintained; and the missionary institutions among them are aided from the Treasury of the United States. These are the principal arrangements made for the benefit of this unfortunate people, who will soon have been removed, at great expense, when this new system will be in full operation, and where their peculiar institutions can be preserved, with such modifications as a progressive state of improvement may require. They will be separated, too, from the settled portions of the country by a fixed boundary, beyond which our population cannot pass. The operations of the Department of Indian Affairs are shown in detail by the report of the Commissioner, and by that of the Commissary General of Subsistence. It was anticipated that a considerable body of the Creeks of Alabama would, ere this, have been on their way to the West. But recent information induces the belief that their journey has been postponed, but under circumstances which will probably ensure their early removal in the spring. The treaty with the Seminoles of Florida for their removal is in the process of execution. A portion of the tribe were not prepared to go at the time arrangements were first proposed to be made for their removal, and when by the treaty they might have been required to depart. At their earnest solicitations, the measure was postponed until the coming winter, and assurances were given by them that they would then be prepared to remove. A majority avow their readiness to comply with their engagements, and will no doubt quietly go as soon as the arrangements for their departure shall have been completed. But some of them exhibit a refractory spirit, and evince a disposition to remain. As they now hold no land in Florida, and would become a lawless banditti if suffered to remain, their pretensions cannot be submitted to. They will, probably, when the time for operations arrives, quietly follow their countrymen. Should they not, measures will be adopted to ensure this course, equally dictated by a just regard to their own welfare, as well as to that of our citizens in the vicinity of their residence. Governor Stokes, General Arbuckle and Major Armstrong were appointed Commissioners to make a treaty with the roving tribes of Indians who in habit the great western prairie, with the view of establishing permanent pacific relations between these predatory tribes and the United States, and also between the same tribes and the other Indians of that region. The lamented death of Major Armstrong deprived the Government of the serThe of that valuable officer; but the other Commissioners succeeded in ecting a pacification, which I hope will lead to a friendly intercourse ong all the tribes in that quarter. Under the authority of an act of the last session of Congress, an arrangement has been made by Colonel Brookes with the Caddo Indians, for the cession of their claims to land in the State of Louisiana and Territory of Arkansas. This will be submitted to you at the proper time for the consideration of the Senate. I have the honor to be, With great respect, Your obedient servant, LIST OF DOCUMENTS ACCOMPANYING THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. No. 1. Major General commanding the Army. Report and statements, from A to E. No. 2. Quartermaster General. Report. No. 3. Commissary General of Subsistence. Report and statement. No. 5. Commissary General of Purchases. Report and statements, from 1 to 4. No. 6. Surgeon General. Report. No. 7. Chief Engineer. Report and statements, and copies, from A to S. No. 8. Chief of Topographical Bureau. Report, statement, and copy of bill. No. 9. Colonel of Ordnance. Report and statements, from A to I. No. 10. Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Report and statements, D and E. No. 12. Commissioner of Pensions. Report and statements, 1 to 3. No. 1. REPORT OF THE MAJOR GENERAL OF THE ARMY. HEAD QUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, December, 1835. SIR: In compliance with the instructions contained in your letter of the 4th September, I have the honor to submit herewith the undermentioned statements and returns: A report, showing the organization of the army, and its force and distribution, marked A. A general return of the army, marked B. Distribution of the troops in the Eastern Department, marked C. Statement, showing the number of recruits enlisted in the army from the 1st of January to the 30th of September, 1835, together with the amount of recruiting funds advanced to officers of the army, and accounted for by them, for the same period, marked E. Inspectors General Wool and Croghan are engaged in inspecting the troops the former, those along the coast as far as New Orleans, inclusive, and the latter, those on the frontiers beyond the Mississippi. The reports which have been received represent the army in a respectable condition, as respects their police and general discipline, and as improved in tactics as their dispersed condition will allow. The supplies are regularly received. and of good quality. The dragoons, divided into three squadrons, have made tours, during the past season, through almost the whole of the country west of the Mississippi. Lelow the 44th degree of north latitude; and there is no doubt that their presence has had the effect of keeping the Indians quiet, and of preventing those depredations and hostilities which, before the raising of this regiment, had so frequently occurred on the frontiers. This corps has been found well adapted to the service on which it has been employed, and it is. I am happy to say, in an improving condition. The arms are found to fulfil the expectations entertained of them. and with the adoption of some modifications of the equipments, recommended by Colonel Dodge and the other field officers, the dragoons may be regarded as a very efficient corps, and a valuable acquisition to the military establishment. Respectfully submitted The Hon. LEWIS CASS, ALEX. MACOMB. |