bèrsv'àges, sçx, condition, and classification of the remnants
of, this interesting race. You will find, on running through
and examining the blanks, for these returns, full scope'for all
the information that canAte pf any practical -use. ' ‘
I desire that you will be very particular and 'minute- 'ihf
your inquiries in respect to every matter which related to agricultural
and statistical information, "as well as of all other
information palled for by the returns; which will be furnished
to you.
It is believed, from the information which has been received
at this office, that there may be found,-at the different
reservations, Indians who Were not originally of the tr,ibd:or
stock to which they now prefers, perhaps, to belong.' You
will, as far as may bé in your power, and without exôiting
the jealousy and distrust of the Indians, endeavor to ascertain
the number of their peoplé, now living-, at the different reservations,
who are pot p f the original stock or tribe with
whom they are now sojourning..
- ft is important that-you-do not consolidate^^ bring into
ope return, any more than the inhabitants of ,one Veservatipp,
and a sufficient number of blank returns will be furnished to
enable you to/aceompHsh this object without any difficulty,
and ypu can use Some one of thé ^columns which wiirother-
wise be found useless, .to dénote or mark-the number who
derivç jtheir subsistenee-from therchaser
It is expected'that you-wjll .çorhplfe.tèrthe enumeration and
file the several returns in the Secretary’s office by the first
day pf September next, that J may be able tp prepare abstracts
and copies-to be submitted, ta the legislature at the
nbxt sessiop.
You will no doubt experience some difficulties in the per—
formante 'of ihe duties devolved upon. yo.ü? owing to the jqâ-
lpfisy of the Indians, and the novelty of .these proceedings;
this, it is believed, being the first effort;- of the kind ever attempted
by the state. You will assure .our red brethren that,
in taking this enumeration of them, and making the .inquiries
into their present condition and situation, the legislature, the
'governor of. -the state,, or any of the officers, have no other
■objects In view but.their welfare and happiness.
The Indians within pur state are under its guardian care
and -protection, and it is a high duty that is now to be per-
»Ipfmed of sending a competent and well-qualified citizen to
Visit thém, end inquire particularly into their situation. We
shave no conpettihn with the, government of the United
:§tates,, or any land company, which prompts to these inqui-’
-rfes into their présent social condition.
VWey/ will'be'at liberty to extend your inquiries to the early
History and antiquarian remains of the Indians in the central
add .western parts ofifhe state,-buf it is -desired that these may
-•'bérîâs brief as the “naturfe of these inquiries will allow.
-''With thésfe:Àdé%si’1ôf 'the pubjèèVkeroimmit this important
•'trust-do yo'ur hands, confidently’expecting and anticipating, a
very-satisfactory result. •
• }- f hayedhe hohor to.be, with great respect, :
Your ob’t sertt,
N, S. BENTON.
INDIAN RESERVATIONS IN NEW YORK,
Cattaraugus county.’-—Reservation&)nthe Alleghany river;
Oil Spring reservation (one mile square, no Indians).
y -Erie xeunty.-^Buffalo creek reservation (sold to Og. co.) ;
part of Cattaraugus* reservation. *
' Alleghany county,—Part of Oil Spring reservation in this
. bounty. '
Genesee cmnty.—The Tonawanda reservation is principally
in this county (sold, yet in litigation).
, Onondaga cqtmty—Onondaga reservation.
Niagara county.—Tuscarora Indian reservation,
c Oneida county.—Oneida reservation (dwindled away now,
to a few individual rights).'-;