UNITED
STATES CHIPPEWA COMMISSION
St. Paul, Minn., December 18,
1889
SIR: We have forwarded to your Department by express,
December 16, 17, and 18, one copy of the census taken by the Commission
of the
Chippewa Indians of the State of Minnesota; two copies of the
stenographic
record of proceedings in the councils held with the, by the Commission;
one
copy of the agreements with the bands in the State, with the original
signatures of the Indians attached; and inclose herewith one copy of a
summarization of the census, and one copy of a summary showing the
number of
male adults in the various bands and the number of those who signed the
agreements.
I shall be obliged if the receipt of the various papers is acknowledged.
Respectfully,
HENRY M. RICE
Chairman
Hon. T.J. MORGAN
Commissioner
of Indian Affairs
Interior Department,
Washington, D.C.
-----
UNITED STATES CHIPPEWA COMMISSION
St. Paul, Minn., December 26,
1889
SIR: In
obedience to instructions from your office, dated May 24, 1889,
accompanied by
"an act for the relief and civilization of the Chippewa Indians in the
State of Minnesota," approved January 14, 1889, this Commission met in
this city June 11, 1889. After several
meetings, it was deemed proper, owing to the deep interest in the Right
Reverend Bishop Whipple, and his grace Archbishop John Ireland, had
taken in
the welfare of the Chippewas, that they should be consulted. A copy of the following note was addressed
to each, dated June 15, 1889:
DEAR SIR:
Your church has missions established among the Chippewa Indians in the
State of
Minnesota, with whom we are instructed to negotiate.
On account
of the intimate knowledge you have, and the deep interest you have
manifested
in the elevation of this race, we deem it proper you should be
represented, and
it will be a pleasure to the members of this Commission to have with us
some
one delegated by you who may explain to the Indians any matters
affected their
interests, which may be presented to them.
In response
to this invitation, Bishop Whipple selected Rev. E.S. Peake, who had
long
resided with these Indians, and Archbishop Ireland selected the Rev.
Father
Aloysius, O.S.B., a resident priest among them, both of whom
accompanied us to
Red Lake.
That
nothing should be omitted that could enlighten the Indians as to the
intent of
the Government, we had printed 500 copies of the act of January 14,
1889, and
several hundred of the "Act to provide for the allotment of lands I
severalty
to Indians," approved February 8, 1887. These
we caused to be distributed among the missionaries,
teachers, and
other employés of the Government, as well as traders, mixed
bloods, and Indians
who read the English language.
Owing to
their destitute condition, the Indians were scattered in search of
food, their
crops having failed the previous season, and much time was taken in
collecting
them.
The first
council was held at Red Lake, June 29, where we remained until July 8. We found them intelligent, dignified and
courteous, but
