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MICHIGAN AGENCY. 
due. In regard to this the Indians are very tenacious, and claim, 
not without good reason, that it should receive the immediate atten- 
tion of the department. I earnestly recommend that their accounts 
with the government be investigated without delay, and the amount 
due them paid, so that this last source of annoyance may be removed. 
The first annuity payment to the Ottawas and Chippewas of the 
Lower Peninsula under the treaty of July 31, 1855, will be made 
during the next month. I anticipate a rapid improvement of these 
Indians as the result of this treaty. The lists of Indians entitled to 
land have been nearly completed, and many of them have already 
niade their locations. 
A large substantial building has been erected at Little Traverse, in- 
tended for a school-house and teacher's residence, and the blacksmith's 
shop has been removed to that place from Mackinac. A good school- 
house has also been built at Garden island for the Beaver island 
bands, and a teacher employed there since July last. I have also 
directed the removal of the blacksmith's shop, hitherto located at 
Grande Traverse, to the reservation selected by these Indians. All 
the other arrangements necessary to carry out the provision of the 
treaty will be made at the approaching annuity payments. 
Nothing has yet been done under the treaty of August 2, 1855, 
with the Chippewas of Saginaw, and of Swan creek and Black river. 
I shall make the payment under this treaty immediately after com- 
pleting the Mackinac payments. Many of these Indians are preparing 
to remove to the lands assigned them by the treaty. They have an 
excellent location, and, with the assistance they will derive from the 
treaty stipulations, ought, in a few years, to become a prosperous 
thriving community. 
The number of Indians in the agency does not vary materially from 
that stated in my last year's report. They continue to increase slowly 
from year to year. Some additions are made by the return of emi- 
grant Indians, but there is also a constant increase from the excess of 
births over deaths. From present indications, it is reasonable to hope 
that the rising generation will attain a much higher state of civiliza- 
tion than their fathers, and that very many of them will become 
worthy and useful citizens. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
HENRY C. GILBERT, 
*               Indian Agent. 
Hon. GEO. W. MANYPENNY, 
Commissioner Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. 
No. 4. 
OFFIcE NORTHERN SUPERINTENDENCY. 
St. Paul, October 15, 1856. 
SIR: In obedience to the regulations of the Indian Department, I 
submit my annual report. 
In addition to the Indian tribes under the care of the northern 
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