ter when they were away hunting, so that I had no opportunity of attend – ing them or knowing the nature of their disease. To Major N. MCLEAN, Indian Sub-Agent. THOMAS S. WILLIAMSON, M. D. No. 23. SAINT PETER's, September 23, 1850. SIR: As superintendent of farming for the Medawakanton Sioux, it becomes my duty to report to you all the facts in relation to our operations for the past year, which is respectfully submitted. Mr. A. Robertson, farmer for Little Crow's band, reports sixty-five acres of land ploughed-the yield estimated at about thirty bushels per acre, although not more than one-third of the crop has been put in sack. The Indians were short of provisions, and lived on green corn for nearly two months, in which time they consumed about two-thirds of the entire crop. Last winter Mr. Robertson cut rail timber to fence the corn-field, but before he could get the rails hauled, a flood came and swept away all the timber and his own garden and fence. He has made from thirty-fiveto forty tons of hay for the Indian horses and his own cattle used on the farm. He assisted the chief to build a log-house twenty-two by seventeen feet, for which you furnished a cooking-stove, and has assisted the In dians in making a temporary fence round the corn field, a pasture for the horses, and several small storehouses. Mr. John Bush, for Red Wing's band, reports fifty-five acres ploughed, yielding full thirty bushels per acre. He has assisted to build five logcabins, made three hundred rails to repair fence, and four hundred for scaffolding; has cut fifteen tons of hay for the Indian horses. Much of his time has been employed in hauling wood, rails, poles, and hay. Mr. H. Mooers, for Black Dog's band, reports forty acres ploughed, and thinks it has yielded thirty bushels per acre. He has cut and hauled twelve hundred rails and six hundred stakes, and thoroughly repaired the fence. He assisted in building five log cabins, and repaired four more; hauled twenty-five loads of poles and forks for scaffolds for drying corn, and has stacked forty tons of hay. The other farmers have not made any report for the past year. Lake Calhoun band, for whom Mr. M. S. Titus is farmer, and Good Road'sband, for whom Mr. P. Quinn is farmer, have lost their entire crops of corn, owing to the obstinacy of the Indians in persisting to plant in the valley of the St. Peter's, on land subject to inundation. Little Six's, the largest band, lost about one-half of their crop by the flood. Wabashaw's hand have raised some coru, but not enough for their winter supply. The farmer, Mr. Brunel, was dismissed for intemperance, and Mr. Francis Lapoint appointed in his place. It is to be hoped that this band will be able to raise as much corn as they want next year, as a new field some distance from the river bottom has been broken up. The blacksmiths have reported a list of implements for the use of the Indians interested in the treaty of 29th September, 1837. Mr. Victor Chatel reports having made new articles of rat and fish spears, axes, door-latches, and fixtures, &c., to the number in the whole. of 2,896, and guns, &c., repaired to the number of 2,360. Mr. Oliver Rassicot reports, for six months' work, new articles to the number of 902, and repairs to the number of 578. Supposing the following six months to be equal, something over 8,000 pieces have been made and mended by the two smiths in one year. The farming has been carried on much the same as last year. I cannot perceive any more industry among them than formerly. In fact, the men appear more inclined to play the gentleman. I have seen several walking about with umbrellas, or ladies' parasols, over their heads, while their wives were hoeing corn under the burning rays of the sun, without any protection. Ask the man why he does not assist to work, the answer generally is," Will you pay me for it?" One of the farmers furrowed some ground, but some of the Indians forbad him, called him a fool, and told him it was a waste of land and time in making furrows. It is very difficult to get them to thin out their corn when it stands too thick, and they abuse us when we attempt to do so. Scattered as they are, it is almost impossible to make their farming very profitable with only one farmer for a band. The Indians expect him to do most of their work, and are always complaining because he cannot satisfy them all. Nothing permanent or profitable can be done for them until each family has a field, and is protected from the abuses of bad and indolent fellows, who steal half the produce of the farms. The farmers were all furnished with good new ploughs last spring, and the land was well ploughed. The Indians would have raised much more corn this year than formerly, had it not been for the high water, which destroyed probably one third of the crop. The Indians are straining to imitate the customs of the white people around them. They will not eat corn unless they are starving, and often sell all their corn for flour and pork or fresh beef. I have known dishes of boiled corn handed to Indian children, when they knocked the dish into the fire and cried for bread. The men, as soon as the annuity provisions are eaten, go about from house to house begging and borrowing flour and pork, and eat but little corn. Six out of the seven bands have been furnished with lumber to make roofs for their houses as an experiment. Some of them, at first, said they would not have any lumber, but now they are all clamorous, and want ten times more than can be purchased. The two cookingstoves you purchased for two of the chiefs will be used, I think, to advantage. I cannot suggest any change in the farming. It is expected and hoped that the government will make a treaty to purchase these lands and settle the Indians permanently, when the farming and mechanical operations for all the tribe can be carried on together. The 100 horses purchased the last spring have more than one half of them died since they got into the Indians' hands, and I fear there will not be ten of them alive next spring. It was a useless expenditure of $6,000. They could not all get a horse apiece, and those that did not get any are dissatisfied, and every few days a complaint is entered against some one killing a horse. I suppose they will keep on killing as long as they have a horse left. The rice crop is a total failure this year. There are but few cranberries. These added considerably to their support; but as the government has ordered provisions to be purchased, all the losses and failures will be remedied, and they cannot suffer this winter. The greater part of the corn, I fear, will be sold, as heretofore, as soon as received. To close my report, I must say the Indians have behaved remarkably well in the temperance cause. Instances of drunkenness are rare. Much praise is due to his Excellency, Governor Ramsey, and yourself, for the earnest temperance advice which has been given them, and all the friends of humanity rejoice at the change in the habits of these Indians. Your most obedient servant, To Major N. M'LEAN, P. PRESCOTT, Superintendent of Farming for Sioux. Indian Sub-Agent, St. Peter's. No. 24. SANDY LAKE SUB-AGENCY, Minnesota Territory, October 14, 1850. SIR: According to the regulations and requirements of the Indian department, I have the honor to submit to you this, my first annual report. Although I have been connected with this sub-agency but a short time, yet I trust my statements and suggestions will not be without use to your excellency, the department, and of benefit to the Chippewa Indians. The short time since I entered upon the duties of my office, together with the failure of my predecessor to turn over any papers or documents (with the exception of a copy of the revised regulations) belonging to the office, has placed it out of my power to be as well informed as I could wish and hope to become in future. In compliance with orders of July last from your excellency, I have removed this sub-agency from La Pointe, in the State of Wisconsin, and temporarily located it at Sandy lake, Minnesota Territory, and have succeeded in the erection and completion of all necessary buildings pertaining thereto. The expenses incurred about these buildings have been much more than they would have been, could I have procured teams to aid in the work; but, owing to the extraordinary high water, and its long continuance upon the Mississippi and its tributaries in this region, it was impossible to procure any. The expense that will be necessarily incurred. in erecting the permanent buildings for this agency, would seem to require great care in its location and selection; not alone in a pecuniary point, but for the benefit and satisfaction of the Indians, who are so apt to become dissatisfied and troublesome at frequent removals. The mineral wealth on the north western shore of Lake Superior has already attracted considerable attention from the enterprising pioneers of our country, and the time is not far distant when government will be called upon to treat for these and other portions in the vicinity of lands well adapted to agricultural purposes, not yet ceded to the government by the Chippewa Indians; which, with other causes (a statement of which would render this report too lengthy for the time I have allotted for its completion,) would seem to render it advisable to purchase all their lands east of the Mississippi river, and locate the agency west of the river, and as near the Sioux lands as practicable, which would have a great influence in preventing the frequent, fatal and disagreeable hostile attacks made by these respective tribes upon each other (of some of which of recent occurrence I have already informed you,) as the influence of the agent might effectually prevent their occurrence at a time most needed, and when distance might render his efforts unavailing.. I understand that an order issued by the President, and transmitted through the usual channels to my predecessor, directing him to inform them that they would be called upon at an early day to remove, was duly imparted to them in March last, which created much excitement and dissatisfaction. They claim that at the time the treaty was concluded, the understanding was that they would not be required to remove until the present generation should pass away. This dissatisfaction has gradually subsided; and I doubt not, that if this information had been imparted to them at a much earlier time, the removal could have been effected without difficulty; while, at the same time, I am of opinion that those in Michigan, and upon the Wisconsin, Chippewa, and St. Croix rivers would have obstinately remained behind. These Indians are infested with persons who make the sale of intoxicating drinks their business. As the Indians suffer greatly from this baneful traffic, their removal is greatly retarded thereby. I would respectfully call the attention of the department, through your excellency, to the present arrangement for the employment of blacksmiths for the Indians at my sub-agency. During a portion of the year these blacksmiths are without employment. I would, therefore, respectfully suggest that the services of the assistant blacksmiths be dispensed with, and the amount of their salaries be appropriated to the purchase of iron and other necessary materials. I believe the remaining employés would be able to perform all the labor required. Owing to the removal of this sub-agency, our farmers have not been able to raise as large crops as could be desired. This is more particularly to be regretted, as the extraordinarily high water of the season has spoiled the crop of wild rice, upon which the Indians depend to a great extent for subsistence. The subject of agriculture will require great attention in future, as the Indians must depend on that resource the more as their hunting grounds decrease in extent. I do not transmit copies of reports from the various missions under my sub-agency, as reports have not been received from the missionary stations. with one exception. They will be transmitted when received. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. S. WATROUS, United States Indian Sub-Agent. His Excellency ALEX. RAMSEY, and Governor of Minnesota Territory. No. 25. GRAND RAPIDS, November, 1850. The undersigned, in presenting another annual statement of the condition of the colony of Ottowa Indians at the Griswold mission, in the State of Michigan, is much gratified in being able to say the establishment continues to furnish evidence that it is promotive of good. The number of families and individuals connected with it has increased to about two hundred and sixteen, several of the Pottawatomies having recently joined themselves to our band. It is still difficult to keep the children confined much, or with any regularity, to school. As many as twenty, however, have attended during the last year, and have made very perceptible improvement in the rudiments of learning; and not only many of these, but the adults also, now unite in the responsive parts of the services of the church. Two children and two adults have been baptized within the year by the resident teacher and missionary, the Rev. Janies Selkrig. The services of this gentleman have been in various ways very beneficial to the colony. Four have died, two adults and two children. The old colonists are evidently becoming more and more favorably disposed to the habits, pursuits and customs of civilized life; have permanent dwellings, instead of temporary tents; use chairs, tables and beds, and conduct themselves in most particulars like their white neighbors. The most notorious drunkards among them have been reformed. The good example of the Ottowas has not been without its influence on those who more recently have come among them, the latter having discontinued in part their Pagan practices, and frequently attending Christian worship. Good crops of corn, potatoes, beans, oats and vegetables, have been raised by the members of the mission during the past year, aud the expectation is reasonably indulged that every year will find them more and more usefully identified with the community with which they are at present associated. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith so much of the language of the Indians of California as I have been able to procure. My greatest dif ficulty has been in obtaining proficient interpreters. None, of the many who profess to know the language of the Indians, understand more of it than enough to trade with them, or to transact the most ordinary business. Even those who have spent years among them are greatly at fault when they attempt to interpret the language beyond common business transactions. Since the third day of June last I have traversed more than eight hundred miles through the great valley of the Sacramento, and along the tributaries of that river which take their rise in mountains of the Sierra Nevada. In my route I visited ten distinct tribes of Indians, besides |