26th Congress, Doc. No. 178. Ho. of REPs.
1st Session. Eacecutive.
INDIANS ON NORTHWEST FRONTIER,
MESSAGE
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
TRANSMITTING
Information of the assemblage of Indians on the northwestern frontier, &c.
APRIL 10, 1840.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
To the House of Representatives of the United States:
I transmit, here with, communications from the Secretary of War and
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, giving the information “in possession of
the Government respecting the assemblage of Indians on the northwestern
frontier, and especially as to the interference of the officers or agents of
any foreign power with the Indians of the United States in the vicinity of
the great lakes,” which I was requested to communicate by the resolution
of the House of Representatives, of the 9th ultimo.
M. WAN BUREN.
WASHINGToN, April, 1840.
WAR DEPARTMENT, April 8, 1840.
SIR. In reply to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the
9th ultimo, which was referred by you to this department, I have the honor
to transmit, herewith, a report from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
which contains the information “in possession of the Government respect-
ing the assemblage of Indians on the northwestern frontier, and especially
as to the interference of the officers or agents of any foreign power with
the Indians of the United States in the vicinity of the great lakes.”
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
J. R. POINSETT.
The PRESIDENT of the United States,
Blair & Rives, printers.

2 Doc. No. 178.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Office Indian Affairs, April 7, 1840.
SIR. I have the honor to report on the resolution of the House of Rep.
resentatives of the United States, of the 9th of March, “That the President
of the United States be requested, if, in his opinion, compatible with the
public interest, to communicate to this House any information in possession
of the Government respecting the assemblage of Indians on the northwest-
ern frontier, and especially as to the interference of the officers or agents
of any foreign power with the Indians of the United States in the vicinity
of the great lakes,” which was referred to this office:
It has long been the practice of the British provincial agents, in Upper
Canada, to distribute presents of goods, arms, ammunition, and other sup-
plies, to the Indians resident in the United States, at various points—Drum-
mond's island, Malden, Amherstburg, and the Great Manitoulin island, in
Lake Huron. I had reason to think, when I made a report on the 15th of
January, 1839, to you, on a similar resolution, that the issues had commen-
ced about the year 1830 to visiting Indians on the latter island, and been
since confined exclusively to that point; but my previous information on
that subject is at variance with a despatch of Sir Francis Bond Head, late
lieutenant governor of Upper Canada, in which he speaks of Amherstburg
being a place of distribution in 1836, and of the first issue to such Indians
at the Manitoulin being made in that year. There can be no doubt that
they were long encouraged to make annual visits to the province, with a
view to what the successive governors may have thought a fulfilment of
the obligations of the British Government, arising out of their alliance with
the Indians during our Revolution war, and that of 1812, with England,
and probably to conciliation and aid in the event of a future conflict. But
it is singular that, while this course was directed by Sir John Colborne and
his successor, and the distribution of these presents was actually attended
by the latter, the minister at the head of the Colonial Office, in England,
appears to have been ignorant of the practice up to the year 1835, so far as
official advice of the subject is concerned.
The number of Indians from the United States, who annually attended
these distributions, has greatly surpassed what has been generally supposed,
and actually amounted to 3,270, as the average for 1836 and a series of
years preceding; and I have reason to believe that there has not been a
great, if any, diminution of the number since. This practice, however, as
we shall presently see, is at an end—it having been officially recommended
by the lieutenant governor of Upper Canada to the British minister to pub-
lish, at the distribution at the Great Manitoulin, in 1837, that there would
be only two more annual distributions to Indians living in the United
States, viz, in 1838 and 1839; but that if they removed to Canada, they
would be continued. This was done; and the policy is now to colonize
the Indians of the United States on the Great Manitoulin, or elsewhere
along our northern frontier, to which they have been invited. The Great
Manitoulin island (which, with one or two near it, is said to be fertile) is
the chosen residence of the Indians, notwithstanding the great body of Up-
per Canada is yet a wild waste. There are upon it several Government
edifices, some Indian settlements of cleared land and log-cabins, and at least
three religious establishments under the Catholics and Methodists. The
chief island is ninety-three miles long, but quite narrow, while inroads are
made upon it by numerous gulfs and bays. Especial pains and anxiety were

Doc. No. 178. 3
manifested in regard of the making of these presents in 1836, and the an-
nunciation of their intended discontinuance, in connexion with the invita-
tions to the Indians to place themselves under the British flag, in 1837.
The lieutenant-governor attended the distribution in the former year, and
intended to communicate, in person, the plan for the future, and the wish
that was warmly expressed to continue the donations on the condition of a
permanent residence in Canada, but was prevented by intelligence of the
demise of William the 4th, which required his presence at Toronto.
The only direct official acts of the British Government, European and
provincial, that I am aware of, toward colonizing United States Indians
in Canada, do not date farther back than 1836; but there is no doubt that
the same efforts had been put forth, in one form or other, for many years
before, though, I incline to think, up to that time by the colonial offi-
cers, without any direct sanction of their mother-country, and, so far as
one may judge from the despatch of the late head of the proper department
in England, perhaps, without its knowledge.
In the report of last year, I referred to the despatch from Lord Glenelg
to the Earl of Gosford and Sir Francis B. Head, of the 14th of January,
1836, and quoted it; but, as I now can communicate the reply made to it
by the latter, as the head of the Upper Canadian Government, it may be
proper again, for the sake of the connexion, to place it in this paper. The
minister appears to have been prompted to his communication by a resolu-
tion of the Committee of the House of Commons on Military Expenditures
in the Colonies, and seeks information in regard of Indian affairs, acknowl-
edging, however, that the practice of distributing presents arose out of the
military aid which the British Government “anxiously sought” and obtain-
ed from the Indians, particularly in 1777 and 1812. He speaks of the
number of United States Indians, reported to him to be resident in Canada,
as amounting to 4,000; what pledges have been given to them; and
whether any bad consequences might be apprehended from a discontinuance
of their supplies. The despatch follows:
“The annual expenditure incurred by this country on account of Indians
in Upper and Lower Canada has been limited, since the year 1830, to
£20,000; of this sum, £15,850 have been considered applicable to the
purchase of presents, and £4,150 to the pay and pensions of the Indian
Department. -
“Deferring, for the present, any observation on this latter branch of the
expenditure, I feel bound, after much consideration, to express my opinon,
that the time is not yet arrived at which it would be possible, consistently
with good faith, altogether to discontinue the annual presents to the In-
dians. It appears that, although no formal obligations can be cited for
such issues, there is yet ample evidence that, on every occasion, when this
country has been engaged in war on the North American continent, the co-
operation of the Indian tribes has been anxiously sought and has been ob-
tained. This was particularly the case in the years 1777 and 1812; and I am
inclined to believe that it is from these periods, respectively, that the pres-
ent annual supplies date their commencement. But without attempting to
pursue that inquiry, it is sufficient to observe that the custom has now
existed during a long series of years; that, even in the absence of any
original obligation, a prescriptive title thus has been created; that this title
has been practically admitted by all who have been officially cognizant of
the matter, and that all agree in stating that its sudden abrogation would

4. Doc. No. 178.
lead to great discontent among the Indians, and, perhaps, to consequences
of a very serious nature.
“Of the sum expended in presents, there is, however, a portion which
would appear to be placed under peculiar circumstances. It has often been
represented, and lately on official authority, that, of the Indians who re-
ceive presents from the British Government, a considerable number reside
within the United States, and only resort to Canada at the periods of issue.
“The number of these Indians in Upper Canada, is said to be 4,000, or
about one-fourth of the whole. I have to request that you will direct an
immediate inquiry to be made into the truth of the statement, and that you
will ascertain and report to me under what arrangements or conditions such
persons have hitherto received presents; at what period their change of
domicil took place; how far the faith of this country is pledged to them;
and whether any bad consequences are to be apprehended from the discon-
tinuance of their supplies.
“While, however, my present information leads me to believe that the im:
mediate or early discontinuance of the annual presents to the Indian tribes re-
siding within the British provinces, without a commutation, would be unjust
and impolitic, I am by no means prepared to admit that they should be in-
definitely perpetuated; and I have to request that you will direct your
early attention to a consideration how far it may be practicable, consistently
with good faith and sound policy, gradually to diminish their amount, with
a view to the ultimate abrogation of the existing custom.”
To this a full answer was given, dated at Toronto, 20th November, 1836,
by Sir Francis Bond Head (which will be found in “Sir F. B. Head's Nar-
rative,” appendix A, No. 95), in which some philanthropic remarks are
indulged, a melancholy picture drawn of the past, and gloomy anticipations
made for the future. He asserts that all attempts in Canada at changing
the Indians from hunters to farmers have completely failed; that the ef-
forts at civilizing them have made them still more vicious; and that the
greatest kindness will consist in shutting them out from all white intercourse.
He speaks of various negotiations he has held for the purchase of land from
them, and of the valuable acquisitions he has so made for his Government
of numerous islands and very rich tracts of land. The number of visiting
Indians (that is, from the United States) is stated at 3,270 as the average,
being about half as many as reside in Upper Canada, and the average
cost of presents issued to both is put at £8,500, which he regards as an ex-
penditure not to be regretted. He recommends that, after three years, the
presents should be discontinued except to Indians residing in Canada, and
thinks it certain that, although “a few would at first immigrate to Canada,
they would not long remain there.” This opinion is founded on the great
severity of the northern climate, and is proved to be correct by a fact which
came to my knowledge since the resolution was passed, that forty families
or about 200 individuals of the Pottawatomie tribe removed to the Mani-
toulin, or some other Canadian point, in the fall of 1838; they were deter-
red from remaining there by the depth of the snow in the succeeding win-
ter, returned to the United States, and were found in Wiskonsin in the sum-
mer of 1839, with a regular establishment of lodges, near Fond du Lac,
and about the head waters of the Milwaukie and Rock rivers. Sir Francis
recommends that the distribution of presents for the three years, shall be con-
fined to the Great Manitoulin, by which, although the expense of transport-
ing goods is greater than to Amherstburg, or Penetanguishene, he thinks

Doc. No. 178. 5
a saving will be effected, as only those Indians will attend who are really in
want. This anticipation was not, I imagine, realized; a small amount in
presents will tempt these poor creatures to go a great distance. Although
the governor found but about 1,500 Indians at the Great Manitoulin in
1836, there were about 3,700 in 1837; the difference being made up, per-
haps, in part, of increased removals from other places in Canada, but chiefly
from the discontinuance of distributions elsewhere, which drew those accus-
tomed to receive at Amherstburg to the distant Manitoulin. It is likely, I
think, from the whole tenor of Sir Francis's despatch, that the idea sug-
gested in my report of last year, that a discrimination was made between
United States and Canadian Indians, was founded in mistake. This state
paper is creditable in spirit and manner to its author, and, as it discloses
the line of policy on which the British Government is now acting, I give it
entire :
* Memorandum on the aborigines of North America.
“Toronto, UPPER CANADA, November 20, 1836.
“My LoRD : As the object of this communication is to endeavor to stip-
ply your lordship with the information respecting the Indians and the In-
dian department, required by your lordship's despatch No. —, I feel it may
be satisfactory that I should commence by explaining what opportunities I
have had of forming the opinion I am about to offer on the subject.
“I have, therefore, the honor to state to your lordship that I attended
the annual delivery of presents to the visiting Indians at Amherstburg, as
also that which took place, for the first time, at the Great Manitoulin island,
in Lake Huron.
“During my inspectional tour of the province, I also visited, with one or
two trifling exceptions, the whole of the Indian settlements in Upper Canada,
and, in doing so, made it my duty to enter every shanty or cottage, being
desirous to judge with my own eyes of the actual situation of that portion of
the Indian population which is undergoing the operation of being civilized.
I have had a slight opportunity of making myself acquainted with the
Indian character in South America, and, from the above data, I have now
the honor to transmit to your lordship the following observations on the
subject:
* MEMORANDUM.
“The fate of the red inhabitants of America, the real proprietors of its
soil, is, without any exception, the most sinful story recorded in the history
of the human race; and when one reflects upon the anguish they have
suffered from our hands, and the cruelties and injustice they have endured,
the mind, accustomed to its own vices, is lost in utter astonishment at finding
that in the red man's heart there exists no sentiment of animosity against us,
no feeling of revenge; on the contrary, that our appearance at the humble
portal of his wigwam is, to this hour, a subject of unusual joy. If the white
man be lost in the forest, his cry of distress will call the most eager hunter
from his game; and among the tribe there is not only pleasure but pride
in º with each other who shall be the first to render him assistance
and iOOO!.

6 Doc. No. 178.
“So long as we were obtaining possession of their country by open vio-
lence, the fatal result of the unequal contest was but too clearly understood;
but now, that we have succeeded in exterminating their race from vast re-
gions of land, where nothing in the present day remains of the poor ſudian
but the unnoticed bones of his ancestors, it seems inexplicable how it
should happen that, even where their race barely lingers in existence, it
should still continue to wither, droop, and vanish, before us like grass on
the progress of the forest in flames. ‘The red men, lately exlaimed a cel-
ebrated Miami cacique, are melting like snow before the sun.’
“Whenever, and wherever, the two races come into contact with each
other, it is sure to prove fatal to the red man.
“However bravely, for a short time, he may resist our bayonets and our
fire-arms, sooner or later he is called upon by death to submit to his de-
cree. If we stretch forth the hand of friendship, the liquid fire it offers
him to drink proves still more destructive than our wrath. And, lastly, if
we attempt to Christianize the Indians, and for that sacred object congregate
them in villages of substantial log-houses, lovely and beautiful as such a
theory appears, it is an undeniable fact, to which, unhesitatingly, I add my
humble testimony, that, as soon as the hunting season commences, the men
(from warm clothes and warmhousing, having lost their hardihood) perish,
or rather rot, in numbers by consumption ; while, as regards their women,
it is impossible for any accurate observer to refrain from remarking, that
civilization, in spite of the pure, honest, and unremitting zeal of our mis-
sionaries, by some accursed process has blanched their babies' faces. In
short, our philanthropy, like our friendship, has failed in its professions;
producing deaths by consumption, it has more than decimated its followers;
and, under the pretence of eradicating from the female heart the errors of a
pagan's breed, it has implanted in their stead the germes of Christian guilt.
“What is the reason of all this? Why the simple virtues of the red
aborigines of America should, under all circumstances, fade before the vices
and cruelty of the old world, is a problem which no one among us is com-
petent to solve; the dispensation is as mysterious as its object is inscruta-
ble. I have merely mentioned the facts, because I feel that before the
subject of the Indians in Upper Canada can be fairly considered, it is
necessary to refute the idea, which so generally exists in England, about
the success which has attended the Christianizing and civilizing of the In-
dians—whereas, I firmly believe every person of sound mind in this coun-
try, who is disinterested in their conversion, and who is acquainted with
the Indian character, will agree—
* 1st. That an attempt to make farmers of the red man has been, gener-
ally speaking, a complete failure.
tº 2d. That congregating them, for the purpose of civilization, has im-
planted many more vices than it has eradicated; and, consequently, -
* 3d. That the greatest kindness we can perform toward these intelli-
gent, simple minded people, is to remove and fortify them as much as
possible from all communication with the whites.
* Having concluded the few preparatory observations I was desirous tº
make, I will now proceed to state what negotiations I have already entered
into with the Indians, and what is my humble opinion of the course we
should adopt, as regards their presents, and the expenses of the Indian de-
partment.

Doc. No. 178. 7.
“At the great Manitoulin island, in Lake Huron, where I found about
1,500 Indians, of various tribes, assembled for their presents, the Chippewas
and the Ottowas, at a great council held expressly for the purpose, formally
made over to me 23,000 islands. The Saugeen Indians also voluntarily
surrendered to me a million and a half acres of the very richest land in
Upper Canada. (For the details attending these surrenders, see my de-
spatch to your lordship, No. 70.)
“On proceeding to Amherstburg, I assembled the Hurons, who occupy
in that neighborhood a hunting-ground of rich land of six miles square;
two thirds of which they surrendered to me, on condition that one of the
said two thirds should be sold, and the proceeds thereof invested for their
benefit.
“The Moravian Indians, with whom I had also an interview, have like-
wise agreed, for an annuity of £150, to surrender to me about six miles
square of black rich land situated on the banks of the Thames river.
“I need hardly observe, that I have thus obtained for herº Majesty's
Government from the Indians, an immense portion of most valuable land,
which will undoubtedly produce, at no remote period, more than sufficient
to defray the whole of the expenses of the Indians and Indian department
in this province.
“On the other hand, as regards their interests, my despatch No. 70 will
explain the arguments I used in advising them to retire, or fall back upon
the Manitoulin and other islands in Lake Huron; the locality being admi-
rably adapted for supporting them, but not for white men. Still it may
appear that the arrangement was not advantageous to the Indians, because
it was of such benefit to us; but it must always be kept in mind, that how-
ever useful rich land may be to us, yet its only value to an Indian consists
in the game it contains; he is, in fact, lord of the manor, but it is against
his nature to cultivate the soil; he has neither right nor power to sell it.
As soon, therefore, as his game is frightened away, or its influx of immi-
gration cut off by the surrounding settlements of the whites, his land, how-
ever rich it may be, becomes a rudis indigestaque moles, of little value
or importance; and in this state much of the Indian property in Upper
Canada at present exists.
* For instance: I found sixteen or eighteen families of Moravian Indians
living on a vast tract of rich land, yet, from absence of game, almost desti-
tute of every thing ; several of the men drunk; nearly all their children
half-castes; the high-road through their territory almost impassable; the
white population execrating their indolence, and entreating to be relieved
from the stagnation of a block of rich land, which separated them from
their markets as completely as if it had been a desert.
“The above picture (which is a very common one) will, I think, suffi-
ciently show, that however desirous one may be to protect the Indians (and
I hope no one feels for them more deeply than myself), yet, practically speak-
ing, that the greatest kindness we can do them is to induce them, as I have
done, to retreat before what they may justly term the accursed progress of
civilization; for, as I have stated, the instant they are surrounded by the
white population ‘the age of their chivalry has fled.’
“The lieutenant-governor of the province may protect them from open
violence, but neither he, nor any other authority on earth, can prevent the
* Should be his.

8 Doc. No. 178.
combination of petty vices, which, as I have already explained, are as fatal
in their operation as the bayonet itself.
“It is impossible to teach the Indian to beware of the white man; for it
seems to be the instinct of his untutored nature to look upon him as his
friend; in short, his simplicity is his ruin, and though he can entrap and
conquer every wild beast in his forest, yet invariably he becomes himself
the prey of his white brother -
“For the foregoing reasons, I am decidedly of opinion that her Majesty's
Government should continue to advise the few remaining Indians, who are
lingering in Upper Canada, to retire upon the Manitoulin and other islands
in Lake Huron, or elsewhere toward the northwest.”
“Your lordship has informed me, that the committee of the House of
Commons on military expenditures in the colonies, are of opinion that
the Indian Department may he greatly reduced, if not altogether abolished;
and they therefore call the attention of the House to the same, and also to
the expense of articles annually distributed to the Indians, and whether
any arrangement may not be made to dispense with such distributions in
future, or to commute the presents for money.
“As it is your lordship's desire that I should afford you as much in-
formation as possible on the above suggestions, I will now respectfully en-
deavor to do so.
“The presents which the British Government has been in the habit of
granting to the Indians in Upper Canada, have been delivered to two classes,
termed the “resident' and the ‘visiting, whose numbers this year were as
follows: -
“Number of Indians resident in Upper Canada - - - 6,507
“Average number of Indians who, in order to receive presents
from the British Government, annually visit Upper Canada
from the United States - - - - - 3,270
“Total average annual cost of presents issued as above - - £8,500
“It certainly appears to me very desirable, indeed, that we should, if pos-
sible, discontinue the practice of giving presents to that portion of the visit-
ing Indians who reside in the Territory of the neighboring States; but
what is desirable is not always just, and it is therefore necessary, before the
project be carried into effect, that we should consider what arguments exist
for as well as against it.
“In its favor it may be stated—
* 1st. That we should save an annual expenditure of, say, £4,000.
“2d. That, according to common laws among nations, there appears to
be no reason why, having lost all dominion over and interest in the United
States, we should continue to make annual payments to any portion of its
inhabitants.
“3d. That it amounts almost to an act of hostility for the British Gov-
ernment to continue to give guns, powder, and ball, to the Indians of the
United States, with whom that people are at this moment engaged in civil
War.
“4th. That a considerable portion of the presents which we give to the
Indians, are shortly after their delivery to be seen displayed by the shop-
keepers of the United States, who often obtain them almost for nothing.
* This measure was strongly recommended by Sir John Colborne to her Majesty's Govern-
ment.

Doc. No. 178. 9
“In reply to the first objection, namely, “that by withholding the presents
we should save an annual expenditure of £4,000, it may be stated, that, of
all the money which has been ever expended by the British Government,
there is, perhaps, no sum which ought to be less regretted than that which
we have hitherto bestowed on the aborigines of America. It has purchased
for us the blessings of their race; they love us; they have shed their blood
for us; they would do so again; they look upon us as the only just and
merciful inhabitants of the old world—and, impressed with these feelings,
their attachment to our sovereign amounts almost to veneration. “When we
see the sun rise in the east,” said a warrior to me at the great council at the
Manitoulin island, “it is our custom to say to our young men, There is our
great father; he warms us; he clothes us; he gives us all we desire.”
“There can be no doubt that, up to the present page in the history of the
British empire, we have acted well toward the Indians. What that re-
flection may intrinsically be worth, it is not so easy to determine, as every
man will perhaps estimate it differently; however, its moral value, what-
ever it may be, should be deducted from the expense of which we complain,
for we cannot enjoy both advantages; if we save the latter, we must lose
the former. -
“In reply to the second objection, namely, “that, according to common
laws among nations, there appears to be no reason why, having lost all
dominion over and interest in the United States, we should continue to
make annual payments to any portion of its inhabitants, it must be recol-
lected that, in our wars with the Americans, we gladly availed ourselves of
the services of the Indians, whom invariably we promised we would never
desert. In these promises we made no restriction whatever as to domicil;
when the tribes joined us, we never waited to ask whence they came ; at
the close of the war, when their surviving warriors left us, we never pre-
scribed to them where they should go.
“It will be asked, in what way were these our promises made 2 It is dif-
ficult to reply to this question, as it involves the character of the Indian
race.
“An Indian's word, when it is formally pledged, is one of the strongest
moral securities on earth; like the rainbow, it beams unbroken when all
beneath is threatened with annihilation.
“The most solemn form in which an Indian pledges his word, is by the
delivery of a warmpum belt of shells; and when the purport of this symbol
is once declared, it is remembered and handed down, from father to son,
with an accuracy and retention of meaning which is quite extraordinary.
“Whenever the belt is produced, every minute circumstance which at-
tended its delivery seems instantly to be brought to life; and such is the
singular effect produced on the Indian's mind by this talisman, that it is
common for him, whom we term ‘the savage, to shed tears at the sight of
a warmpum which has accompanied a message from his friend.
“I have mentioned these facts, because they will explain the confident re-
liance the Indians place on the promises which, accompanied by the deliv-
ery of wampum, were made to them by our generals, during and at the
conclusion of the American wars.
“These rude ceremonies had probably little effect upon our officers, but
they sunk deep in the minds of the Indians. The wanpums thus given
have been preserved, and are now intrusted to the keeping of the great
orator Sigonah, who was present at the council I attended on the Manitou-

10 Doc. No. 178.
lin island, in Lake Huron; and, in every sense, these hieroglyphics are
moral affidavits of the bygone transactions to which they relate.
“On our part, little or nothing documentary exists; the promises which
were made, whatever they might have been, were almost invariably verbal;
those who expressed them are now mouldering in their graves. However,
the regular delivery of the presents proves and corroborates the testimony
of the wanpums; and, by whatever sophistry we might deceive ourselves,
we could never succeed in explaining to the Indians of the United States
that their Great Father was justified in deserting them.
“To the third and fourth objections, I have nothing to reply; for I must
say I think the Americans have reason for the jealousy they express at the
British Government interfering, by positively arming their own Indians,
with whom they are at war, with English guns, powder, and ball. I also
cannot deny that a great proportion of the presents we give to the American
Indians, form a tribute which we annually pay to the shopkeepers of the
United States.
“Having endeavored, as fairly as possible, to explain the arguments on
both sides, I now beg leave to state that, after having given the subject con-
siderable reflection, I am of opinion that to the visiting Indians of the Uni-
ted States we cannot, without a breach of faith, directly refuse to continue
the presents which, by the word of our generals, we have promised, and
which, by long custom, we have sanctioned; but observing that the minds
of these people were wide open to reasonable conviction, it occurred to me
that it would not be difficult to explain to them that their Great Father was
still willing to continue presents to such of his red children as lived in his
own land, but that in justice to the Americans, who are now our allies, he
could not arm against them those Indians who could [should] continue to
reside in the territory of the United States; and consequently that, after the
expiration of three years, presents would be given only to those of our red
children who actually shall inhabit the Canadas. I did not formally make
this declaration at the great council at the Manitoulin islands, but it was
sufficiently hinted to them to be clearly understood; and as far as I could
learn, and have since learned, it was received without disapprobation.
“I would, therefore, recommend that this declaration should be formally
announced at the next delivery of presents. The Indians in the United
States would thus have plenty of time to prepare for the change, which, I
feel quite confident, would end by our being released honorably and alto:
gether from an engagement, which I certainly think we have maintained
long enough, to reward liberally the United States Indians for the services
they rendered us during the war. Indeed, there can be no doubt that we
have treated their warriors infinitely better than we have behaved to our
own veterans, who, blind, wounded, mutilated, helpless, and miserable, are
at this moment wandering in the great bush or wilderness of Canada, re-
gretting the hour that they ever improvidently commuted with the British
Government their hard-earned pensions.
“I do not think the Indians of the United States could or would complain
of the above arrangement; and I feel certain that though a few would at
first immigrate to Canada, they would not long remain there.
* For many reasons, which it would be tedious to your lordship that I
should detail, I would recommend that the presents to the visiting Indians
should, for the three years, be delivered at the Manitoulin island only.

Doc. No. 178. 11
* The expense of forwarding the presents to that spot, though less than
to the old place of delivery (Drummond island), is greater than at Penetan:
guishene and Amherstburg; but as only those who are really in want of
their presents would come to Manitoulin, we should gain, as indeed we did
gain this year, by that arrangement infinitely more than the difference of
expense of transport.
“ In a memorandum I received on the 16th of July last from Mr. Com-
missary General Routh, many of whose suggestions I have effected, that
gentleman, not anticipating the recommendation I have now made for the
ultimate discontinuance of presents to the American Indians, proposed to
diminish their expense by substituting strouds instead of cloth, and by
withholding powder, ball, and shot.
“Every person with whom I have consulted, is of opinion that the latter
privation would be most severely felt by the Indian hunter, who lives by his
gun; however, I feel confident that Mr. Routh himself will agree with me
in opinion, that, if the presents to all Indians residing in the United States,
are, as I propose to be, totally discontinued at so early a period as the expi-
ration of three years, it would be unnecessary, unadvisable, and ungenerous,
to make any deduction from the pittance or gratuity, which is so shortly to
be withheld.
“Your lordship is aware that considerable expenses for building, &c., were
incurred at the Manitoulin island this year; but the arrangement was made
by Sir John Colborne, before I arrived here, and it was too late for me to
alter it; however, as soon as I got there, I put a stop to all that was doing,
and discharged every person who had been engaged.
Having disposed of at least one-third part of the Indian presents, and
the expense of their delivery, I certainly respectfully recommend that we
should continue to deliver them to those few Indians who continue to in-
habit Upper Canada. I have already stated that this expense will shortly
be defrayed altogether by the sale of the lands they have this year liberally
surrendered to me; and even if that were not to be the case, I do think
that, enjoying, as we do, possession of this noble province, it is our bounden
duty to consider as heir looms, the wreck of that simple-minded, ill-fated
race, which as I have already stated, is daily and yearly fading before the
progress of civilization.
“We have only to bear patiently with them for a short time, and with a
few exceptions, principally half castes, their unhappy race, beyond our
power of redemption, will be extinct.
“I am not prepared to recommend that money should at present be sub-
stituted for presents to the resident Indians in this province.
“Ist. Because I think, unless good arrangements were previously made,
the Indians, from their improvident habits, would in many places be left
destitute ; and
“2d. Without due precaution, a money delivery to so many men, women,
and children, might possibly be attended by very great impositions.
“Another year's experience and reflection will, I make no doubt, enable
me to offer to your lordship a decided opinion on this subject, as I am quite
alive to the advantage which we should gain by the substitution of money,
if it could be properly effected.
“In the expenses of the Indian department, which at present amount to
£1,610 17s. 10d. per annum, I am of opinion that a reduction might at
once be made to the following extent (subject to moderate pensions, the

12 Doc. No. 178.
greater part of which might be in grants out of land which has lately been
ceded to me by the Indians):
“Three superintendents at £206 1.4s. 4d. - - - £620 3s.
“One interpreter at £62 - - - - - 62
“I also think that a considerable reduction might be made in the contingen-
cies which at present amount to £2,000. With respect to the pensions which
amount to £462, I conceive that, as they have already been sanctioned, they
could not in justice be repealed.
“In conclusion I now beg leave to refer to my despatch No. 31, respect-
ing the age and services of Colonel Givens; I conscientiously concur with
Sir John Colborne and Sir P. Maitland, in recommending that, in the even-
ing of his long and well spent life, this officer may not be neglected by her
Majesty's Government, to whose service he has been more than half a cen-
tury unremittingly and devotedly attached.
“His name is so identified with the Indian history of this country, that I
earnestly hope he may be allowed to retire on his full pay; he has a large
family, and his advanced age must prevent his long receiving the remunera-
tion so strongly recommended by Sir John Colborne, by Sir P. Maitland, and
by myself.
“To replace Colonel Givens, who would continue to assist as an inter-
preter, I have already recommended, in my despatch No. 31, the appoint-
ment of Mr. Hepburn, who last year has, without salary, been performing
the duties of chief superintendent.” -
“I am decidedly of opinion that at the expiration of three years a still
further reduction may be made in the Indian department, and that its ex-
penses of every description will ere long be completely defrayed by the lands
which I have lately obtained from the Indians.
“I have the honor to be, &c.,
“F. B. HEAD.
“The Lord GLENELG.”
A reply must have proceeded from the British ministry, approving and
adopting the views for the future communicated in the foregoing document,
for they have been in part carried out, and are still in a course of execution.
The subject is so grave, and the responsibility was so great, that, I take it
for granted, it would not have been assumed by the colonial officers without
ministerial sanction, especially as the matter had been moved in Parliament.
But after a very diligent search, I can find no trace of it, except what after
acts in Canada enable me with certainty to infer.
At the distribution of 1837, on the Great Manitoulin, the lieutenant-gov-
ernor (whose absence was made necessary by information of the accession
of the present Queen of Great Britain) was represented by Jarvis,
Esq., chief superintendent of Indian affairs, and a talk delivered, announ-
cing distinctly that the distribution would cease at the end of three years,
inclusive of 1837, except to those Indians of the United States who should,
before the expiration of the time mentioned, become residents of Canada. I
have no official copy of this address, but am indebted for it to a popular
work of the day. There is no doubt, however, of its correctness, as it har-
monizes with what preceded it, and was heard by the author of the work
referred to, who was on such a footing with the authorities of the province
that the publication is, without question, what it purports to be—a literal
copy of the official document. The invitation to remove, which was suffi.

Doc. No. 178. 13
ciently pressing, appears to have been well-received by many of the chiefs.
The talk was thus:
* Children | When your great father, the lieutenant-governor, parted
with his red children last year, at this place, he promised again to meet
them here at the council-fire, and witness in person the grand delivery of
presents now just finished. - -
“To fulfil this engagement, your great father left his residence at Toronto,
and proceeded on his way to the Great Manitoulin island as far as Lake
Simcoe. At this place, a messenger, who had been despatched from To-
ronto, overtook him, and informed him of the death of our great father on
the other side of the great salt lake, and the accession of Queen Victoria.
It consequently became necessary for your great father, the lieutenant-gov-
ernor, to return to the seat of his government and hold a council with his
chief men. -
tº Children Your great father, the lieutenant-governor, has deputed
me to express to you his regret and disappointment at being thus unexpect-
edly deprived of the pleasure which he had promised to himself in again
seeing all his red children, and in taking by the hand the chiefs and war-
riors of the numerous tribes now here assembled.
“Children I am now to communicate to you a matter in which many
of you are deeply interested. Listen with attention, and bear well in mind
what I say to you.
“Children' Your great father, the King, had determined, that presents
should be continued to be given to all Indians resident in the Canadas.
“But presents will be given to Indians residing in the United States only
for three years, including the present delivery.
“Children The reasons why presents will not be continued to the In-
dians residing in the United States I will explain to you.
* First : All our countrymen who resided in the United States forfeited
their claim to protection from the British Government from the moment
their great father, the King, lost possession of that country. Consequently,
the Indians have no right to expect that their great father will continue to
them what he does not continue to his own white children.
* Secondly : The Indians of the United States, who served in the late
war, have already received from the British Government mere than has
been received by the soldiers of their great father, who have fought for him
for twenty years.
“Thirdly : Among the rules which civilized nations are bound to attend
to, there is one which forbids your great father to give arms and ammuni-
tion to Indians of the United States, who are fighting against the Govern-
ment under which they live.
* Fourthly: The people of England have, through their representatives
in the great council of the nation, uttered great complaints at the expense
attendant upon a continuation of the expenditure of so large a sum of money
upon Indian presents. 1
“But, children let it be distinctly understood that the British Govern-
ment has not come to a determination to cease to give presents to the In-
dians of the United States. On the contrary, the Government of your great
father will be most happy to do so, provided they live in the British empire.
Therefore, although your great father is willing that his red children should
all become permanent settlers in the island, it matters not in what part of
the British empire they reside. They may go across the great salt lake to

14 - Doc. No. 178.
the country of their great father, the King, and there reside, and there re-
ceive their presents; or, they may remove to any part of the provinces of
Upper or Lower Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, or any other Brit-
ish colony, and yet receive them. But they cannot and must not expect to
receive them after the end of three years, if they continue to reside within
the limits of the United States.
“Children The Long-knives have complained (and with justice, too,
that your great father, while he is at peace with them, has supplied his red
children residing in their country, with whom the Long-knives are at war,
with guns, and powder, and ball.
“Children This, I repeat to you, is against the rules of civilized nations;
and, iſ continued, will bring on war between your great father and the Long-
knives.
“Children' You must therefore come and live under the protection of
your great father, or lose the advantage which you have so long enjoyed of
annually receiving valuable presents from him.
“Children I have one thing more to observe to you. There are many
clergymen constantly visiting you for the avowed purpose of instructing
you in religious principles. Listen to them with attention when they talk
to you on that subject; but at the same time keep always in view, and bear
it well in your minds, that they have nothing whatever to do with your
temporal affairs. Your great father, who lives across the great salt lake,
is your guardian and protector, and he only. He has relinquished his
claim to this large and beautiful island on which we are assembled, in order
that you may have a home of your own quite separate from his white chil-
dren. The soil is good, and the waters which surround the shores of this
island are abundantly supplied with the finest fish. If you cultivate the
soil with only moderate industry, and exert yourselves to obtain fish, you
can never want; and your great father will continue to bestow, annually,
on all those who permanently reside here, or in any part of his dominions,
valuable presents, and will, from time to time, visit you at this island, to
behold your improvements.
* Children Your great father, the lieutenant-governor, as a token of
the above declaration, transmits to the Indians a silk British flag, which
represents the British empire. Within this flag, and immediately under
the symbol of the British crown, are delineated a British lion and a beaver;
by which is designated the British people and the Indians, the former be-
ing represented by the lion, and the latter by the beaver, are, and will be,
alike regarded by their sovereign, so long as their figures are imprinted on
the British flag, or, in other words, so long as they continue to inhabit the
British empire.
“Children This flag is now yours. But it is necessary that some one
tribe should take charge of it, in order that it may be exhibited in this island
on all occasions when your Great Father either visits or bestows presents
on his red children. Choose, therefore, from among you, the tribe to which
you are willing to intrust it for safekeeping; and remember to have it
with you when we next meet again at this place.
* Children I bid you farewell. But before we part, let me express to
you the high satisfaction I feel at witnessing the quiet, sober, and orderly
conduct which has prevailed in the camp since my arrival. There are
assembled here upward of three thousand persons, composed of different
tribes. I have not seen or heard of any wrangling or quarrelling among

Doc. No. 178. 15
you. I have not seen even one man, woman, or child, in a state of intoxi-
cation. - -
& Children | Let me entreat you to abstain from indulging in the use of
fire-water. Let me entreat you to return immediately to your respective
homes, with the presents now in your possession. Let me warn you against
attempts that may be made by traders, or other persons, to induce you to
part with your presents in exchange for articles of little value. Farewell.”
I am not aware of any further official acts by the British or colonial au.
thorities, though, doubtless, they have been of annual recurrence, but are
not within my reach. The preceding references have been to political
movements; but it may not be amiss to notice the fact, that good and benev-
olent men, in communication with the Indians, advise them to a course in
accordance with the state views noticed. The letters, from which I shall
furnish extracts, breathe a spirit of kindness and good-will, and they were
doubtless written from pure motives; but I think it probable that their au-
thors, having learned the views of their Government, have been somewhat
biased by them, to which there would naturally be great readiness, from
the strong disinclination which such men invariably manifest to the removal
of those in whose behalf they have a good feeling, to a greater distance,
although at present placed beyond their actual inspection or personal inter-
ference. The desire to benefit them is strong; the idea that their own Gov-
ernment is better than ours, probably not weak; and the increased distance
has united with those other considerations, to induce Dr. Thomas Hodgkin
and Sir Augustus d’Este to think, that a removal from the cold and inhos-
pitable climate of our northern frontier to the still more cheerless one of
Upper Canada, was for Indian benefit, and that the exchange of either for
the more genial region southwest of Missouri, would be disadvantageous.
These philanthropists, for such I take them to be, write, the latter from
London, the 17th September, 1838, and the former without date, but the
letter bearing the Toronto postmark of 7th November, 1838, to Eshtona-
quot, chief of a band of Chippewas, of St. Clair lake, in Michigan. The
Doctor says: “We have been much grieved to learn, that badly disposed
people have been trying to get your land, and remove you to a distance
from your pleasant reservations; and, also, that they have changed the
place of your council fire, and made it difficult for you to have your pay-
ments or presents. We have formed ourselves into a society to endeavor
to help you, and have, again and again, pleaded for you with the Govern-
ment here; and we hope that Lord Glenelg, who helped thee and thy
friends to return to your homes from England, will also be your friend now,
and stop the attempt to take your land from you.
“The best advice which we can now give you, is, that you should be all
of one mind, and try to remain in your present places of residence, using
all the diligence in your power to improve the land and increase your stock
of corn, cattle, and other goods.
“I am much interested in learning that you have been visiting the In-
dians whom the Americans have sent away beyond the Mississippi, and
among those who live south of the Missouri. If thou couldst get any
body to write for thee, it would be a good thing to keep an account of that
journey. Having seen the condition of the Indians in so great a space of
country, thou cans tell thy countrymen how much they lose by not be.
coming quite settled, and how much more they will lose if they do not make
haste and till the ground and settle the country themselves.

16 Doc. No. 178.
“When any Indians are obliged to leave their land, they should go to
the nearest good place they can find, and lose no time in becoming settled
again ; but it will be much better for them not to move if they can possibly
help it. They must not be tempted by the promises and pretences of our
young men.” -
The following is a quotation from the letter of Sir Augustus d'Este;
“When you were in London, you marked out, in my map of Upper Canada,
two different reserves of lands which were yours, upon the Canada side of
the waters of St. Clair. Assemble in council, and make a petition to Sir
George Arthur (the governor of Upper Canada), praying him to give you
TITLE-DEEDs for both your reserves; and if he will do so, that youe ngage
to come over to his side of the water, and to clear them (the reserves) of
wood—to cultivate them, and to build comfortable houses upon them, with
the money which you shall receive from the sale of the lands which you
now possess upon the United States side of the waters of St. Clair. As soon
as the petition is prepared, and signed by yourself, and by the elders of
your people, take it over to the Wesleyan missionary, who is stationed at
St. Clair—his name is the Reverend John Douse—beg of him to counter-
sign it, and to forward it for you to Toronto.
“Before you visit him (Mr. Douse) he will have received instructions
from home how to act. My brother, it gives me great pleasure to learn
that your brother-in-law, We-we-naush, and his people, HAVE BEcoME
CHRISTIANs; it would give me still more pleasure to know that You,
yours FLF, sometimes, listen to the Wesleyan minister at St. Clair. I
wAs son Ry to read in your letter that you have been making so long a
journey to the regions beyond the Mississippi. Cannot my brother find
occupation at home 2 Has he no trees to cut down, so as to make his
clearings greater 2 Could not his house, by the work of his hands, be
made more comfortable Why does my brother lose his time in unprofit-
able ramblings? My brother, you can NoT THINK of going far, far away
from your reserves in Canada; why then, have you made that long jour-
ney to countries beyond the Mississippi!” -
These efforts of the good men who are named, unite remarkably with
the policy of their Government; and, although they have evidently con-
ferred with the ministers about Indian relations, I, by no means, attribute
any other motives than such as might commendably actuate them, which
we may see daily at work in all countries.
The Indian emigration to Canada had been encouraged for years before
the policy was recommend officially, in 1836, and adopted in action in 1837.
It is impossible to speak, with any accuracy, of the number who have
passed into the colony from the United States. But it is known that a
numerous body of the Pottawatomies and Ottowas of Southern Michigan
have become residents of the Manitoulin islands; and it has been reported
to the department that, in the year 1838, one hundred and thirty-seven in-
dividuals had so expatriated themselves. I have also learned that, about
two hundred of the Saganaw tribe of Indians had registered themselves in
the summer of 1838, for emigration to Upper Canada. In May last, I was
informed, by the acting superintendent of Indian affairs, “that a consider;
able number of the Ottowa and Chippewa Indians of Lakes Michigan and
Huron are about to make their long contemplated movement to the Mani-
toulin islands, in Upper Canada. Thirty canoes had passed that place ºn
the 18th instant, and a greater number was daily expected. It is also
stated, on verbal authority, that numbers of the Saganaws had crossed

Doc. No. 178. 17
-
over for the same purpose, near Fort Gratiot.” He writes further, from
Michilimackinac, under date of 26th June last: “ Information and obser-
vation, since my arrival here, indicate that a considerable number of the
lake indians have transferred their residence from the United States terri-
tories to the Manitoulin islands during the season. They embrace emi-
grants from the Saganaws, Pottawatomies, Menomonies, Chippewas, and
Ottowas. A recent statement from a neighboring chief informs me that
the Drummond Island band, with Kokosh, their chief, have gone off en
masse, together with the chief and leading men of Cheboigan, and of the
Rain's bands.” He took pains to express to the Indians the disapprobation
of the Government of this project, and to inform them that all who perma-
nently and understandingly expatriated themselves, will forfeit their shares
of the annuities, together with the benefits of the mechanics' shops, &c.;
and he thinks that it is already observable that the effect of this communi-
eation has been to produce reflection, and induce numbers to pause and
relinquish the idea of a removal. He adds: “Something like a panic was
created among the bands along Lakes Huron and Michigan, by a report,
which is to be traced across the lines, that the United States intended this
season to send steamboats, and take them off by force, to the west of the
Mississippi.”
In collecting the Swan Creek and Black River Chippewas for emigration
during the last summer, every obstacle was thrown in the way of their
removal, as the agent employed on the occasion reported, by Canada Indians,
“who daily urge their friends to come over and locate among them;” and
that these persuasions had been successful with many. In another report
he remarks, “an agent of the British Government near us has been indu-
cing the Indians to locate themselves upon lands in Canada, immediately
upon the frontier, on the St. Clair river; and I find it impossible to prevent
them from going over to hear him, and hear British counsel.”
The Honorable James D. Doty, of the House of Representatives, in a
communication of 20th February, 1840, to you, says: “It is stated in the
papers that several Winnebago and Pottawatomie Indians have removed to
the British side of the line, where they are fed and clothed by the British
Government; and I am informed, by a letter from chiefs of the Oneidas,
at Tolungowon, near Green Bay, dated the 23d January last, that there are
several disaffected members of that nation who design to remove to Canada.”
In this communication was enclosed an extract of a letter to Mr. Doty,
dated Detroit, February 3, “from a highly respectable citizen of that
town,” from which I take so much as concerns the resolution of the
House: “At Port Sarnia, opposite Black river, some two thousand
American Indians are collected, living in new huts, clothed with new
blankets, and receiving daily rations from the British Government. In
addition to all this, large, very large, contracts for flour and other provisions
are being made daily by merchants and army contractors for these articles,
to be delivered there forthwith.” This place I do not find on the map, but
suppose it to be near Point Edward, and the entrance into Lake Huron.
The number of Indians who have been stated in the public prints to
have encamped themselves near the St. Clair river, it is believed, have been
greatly exaggerated. They have been put at 500; but a letter from General
Brady to General Scott, of 10th ultimo, transmitted by the latter to the War
Department, furnishes information from the best sources open to the former.
They are * high as 300 by one account; but another, which is deem-
18 Doc. No. 178.
ed the best, places them as low as 60, and supposes them to be Swan Creek
and Black River Chippewas, who declined to emigrate last fall, and who
are now at their old residence, where, it is said, they have been joined by a
small party of more northern Indians. It is thought probable they will all
go to Canada, rather than remove to the southwest. General Brady, not-
withstanding frequent inquiries, has learned nothing more positive as to
the number or intentions of these Indians; nor have I received further
official information. -
I have thus detailed (as more convenient in point of form than an appen-
dix) all the information possessed here on the important subject to which
it relates.
It is not likely that the inclement and protracted winters of the neigh-
boring province will allow the Indians to continue there permanently. It
is true most of them have been accustomed to the rigors of the north ; but
the increase of cold upon ill-clad and badly-housed human beings, must be
very severe. Their known improvidence will multiply their sufferings;
and the probability is, that those now in Canada, or who shall go there,
will soon return into the United States territories. All the Indians resident
in Upper Canada, in 1836, amounted only to 6,507;" and, I presume, that
the smallness of the number can only be accounted for by the facts that,
when the whole country was free for them to choose, many must have
retired southwardly before the northern blasts, and the increase of those
that remained been kept down by the exposures incident to their precarious
modes of obtaining a livelihood in wastes of ice and snow.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
- T. H.A.R.T.L.E.Y CRAWFORI).
Hon. J. R. PoſNSETT,
- Secretary of War.
* This number received presents, as stated by Sir F. B. Head; and it is probable that the
entire number, or nearly all, would attend at one or other place of distribution.
-
D - -
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