Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs: To the Secretary of the Interior for the Year 1879 (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs: To the Secretary of the Interior for the Year 1879

Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith the Annual Report of the Indian Bureau for the year 1879.

During the year there has been a steady and manifest progress in civilization which has had no parallel in any previous year in the history of Indian civilization under this government. The spirit of progress cannot be said to have pervaded all tribes alike, or with equal force; but, as a whole, the Indians of the country have taken a long stride in the right direction toward complete civilization and eventual self-support. The most decided advance in civilization has been made by the Ogalala and Brulé Sioux, and their progress during the last year and a half has been simply marvelous. They have manifested an excellent disposition and shown commendable zeal in carrying out the plans of the government for their benefit.

It is no longer a question whether Indians will work. They are steadily asking for opportunities to do so, and the Indians who to-day are willing and anxious to engage in civilized labor are largely in the majority. There is an almost universal call for lands in severalty, and it is remarkable that this request should come from nearly every tribe except the five civilized tribes in the Indian Territory. There is also a growing desire among Indians to live in houses, and more houses have been built, and are now in course of erection, than have been put up during any previous year. The demand for agricultural implements and appliances, and for wagons and harness for farming and freighting purposes is constantly increasing, and an unusual readiness to wear citizens clothing is also manifest.

The loss of the buffalo, which is looked upon by Indians as disastrous, has really been to them a blessing in disguise. They now see clearly that they must get their living out of the soil by their own labor, and a few years perseverance in the beneficial policy now pursued will render three-fourths of our Indians self-supporting. Already very many tribes have a surplus of products for sale.

The only exception to the general improvement for the year is shown in the bad conduct of the White River Utea and the marauders in New Mexico, which will be referred to hereafter.

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