860 THE GEORGE CATLLtt INDIAN GALLERY. 



ficial. The opening up to settlement of this western portion of the Territory would, 

 of course, involve the Cherokee outlet, 57 miles wide, stretching along the southern 

 boundary of Kansas. This strip of land is held by the Cherokees on the same condi- 

 tion on which the United States hold Oklahoma (except in the matter of compensa- 

 tion) — that the United States might settle friendly Indians upon it. 



It can hardly be doubted that the intelligent Cherokees will see the general benefit 

 to themselves and their kindred of the concentration of the Indians of the Territory 

 in a region ample for their progress, growth, and development, removing the con- 

 stantly growing irritation which the presence of a large body of unoccupied land tends 

 to create in our landless people, and at the same securing to them the reasonable 

 value of the land surrendered. 



The committee do not say that views favorable to the policy of surrendering to 

 white settlement any part of the Indian Territory were expressed by the chiefs at 

 that conference, but, on the contrary, it was manifest that the leading men of the five 

 nations are earnest in adhering^to the present engagements of the Government as the 

 only safe policy for their tribes, and are fearful of the result of any modification or 

 change. But still it is believed that, with the good faith of the Government assured, 

 these tribes will readily see the benefits which would result to them from their greater 

 concentration in the eastern section of the Territory. It is proper to remark that the 

 leading men of this Territory seem to be exceedingly well informed as to the treaties, 

 agreements, laws, and patents under which the lands of the Territory are held by the 

 tribes. 



The American people are not only bound to maintain untarnished their faith and 

 honor in dealing with these remnants of the once powerful tribes which in former ages 

 ruled this vast country, and have gone down in a brave but hopeless struggle with 

 our advancing civilization, but can afford to act with justice, magnanimity, and for- 

 bearance towards them. No clamor of greedy avarice should tempt the American 

 people to deal unjustly with these people, now completely at their mercy, in this final 

 adjustment of their territorial possessions and their relations to Government. 



THE FUTURE POLICY. 



But in relation to the Indian question in general it can now be clearly seen that the 

 period for this final adjustment of tfieir landed possessio ns and the extent to which 

 their support shall be a charge upon the national Treasury or upon their own resources 

 has been reached. Every reservation is surrounded with an agressive and growing 

 white population. No further removals can take place except by the consolidation of 

 the tribes. No lands except the waste and barren lands south and east of the pastoral 

 Navajoes can be added to their possessions. The wild herds and flocks that so long 

 furnished the race clothing and food are gone, and they must at least in some degree 

 accept the methods and conditions of the civilization hitherto so fatal to the race or 

 disappear. The philanthropy of our people will in the early future be put to a severe 

 test in deciding whether^they shall on just conditions be permitted to work out their 

 own advancement in civilization and government and survive as a part of the nation, 

 or disappear as a people under the benevolent but Utopian theories that the force of 

 education and law will elevate them at once to the plane of the white race. 



In view of the facts above presented, the committee are of the opinion that the 

 final location of the tribes and the landed estates which shall be held by them with 

 a view to their permanent settlement and improvement should be determined at an 

 early period, and that in consideration of the magnitude of the subject, both as to 

 Indian tribes and to the Government, and the solicitude that must be felt by the 

 whole people that this adjustment should be made on principles of justice and a high 

 regard for national honor, the committee recommend the creation of a commission of 

 six eminent citizens, three detailed from the Army and three appointed by the Pres- 

 ident from civil life by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, who shall 

 perform the duties and exercise the powers touching the subject mentioned in this 

 report, specified in the draft of a bill which is herewith respectfully submitted to 

 the House. 



