The Report of the Secretary of the Interior, Mr. Caleb
B. Smith, to the President of the United States, up to the 29th of November last, deals with the usual topics. With respect to the Indian tribes, Mr. Smith considers that the Government has pursued a mistaken policy in treat- ing with them for the purchase of their lands. "They have none of the elements of nationality ; they are within the limit of the recog- nized authority of the United States, and tnust be subject to its control." Indeed, as he adds, the Government always has taken their lands when they were wanted, and the Indians have only sold under compulsion. The consequence of admitting their rights has been that they have "a feeling of independence" and "are exacting in their demands for the fulfilment of treaty stipulations." This is, probably, the beginning of the end. Of course, the Government is to take the tribes under its protec- tion, supply them with what they want at prime cost, and assign them "suitable" districts of country until they are can bo taught to earn their subsistence by their labour. We observe that the dome of the Capitol is tube completed for 900,000 dollars, being less than the original estimate. Would that architects in this country would imitate their American brethren
Previous page
