* * * * * INDIAN NOTES. —Are the Indians dying out? Major S. N. Clark, of the Bureau of Education, has compiled these various estimates of their population as follows: 1789—Estimate of Secretary of War 76,000 1790-91—Estimate of Gilbert Imlay 60,000 1820—Report of Morse on Indian Affairs 471,036 1825—Report of the Secretary of War 129,366 1829—Report of the Secretary of War 312,930 1834—Report of the Secretary of War 312,610 1836—Report of Superintendent Indian Affairs 253,464 1837—Report of Superintendent Indian Affairs 302,498 1850—Report of H. R. Schoolcraft 388,229 1853—Report of United States Census of 1850 400,764 1855—Report of Indian Office 314,622 1857—Report of H. R. Schoolcraft 379,264 1860—Report of Indian Office 254,300 1865—Report of Indian Office 294,574 1870—Report of United States Census 313,712 1870—Report of Indian Office 313,371 1875—Report of Indian Office 305,068 1876—Report of Indian Office 291,882 These figures are, however, in part conjectural, and all based upon varying data, and limited by varying boundaries. They do not show any constant movement of increase or decrease. In regard to particular tribes, the Cherokees, since 1809, notwithstanding the depressing influences of removal, and loss by civil war, have increased from 12,395 to 21,072. The Seminoles have, since 1870, increased from 2,638 to 3,000. The Iroquois, 100 years ago numbering about 11,500, are now 13,668. Within forty years the Sioux are computed to have increased from 25,000 to 40,000. A comparison of births and deaths for the last three years has been made, but it is too incomplete to be the basis of any conclusions. Major Clark says, in summing up, that several years of study have convinced him that the usual theory that the Indian population is destined to decline and finally disappear, as a result of contact with white civilization, must be greatly modified—probably abandoned altogether. —Missionaries Riggs and Williamson substantially agree that (1) the Indians, in their wild state, increase quite rapidly, unless disturbed by some violent agent, as war, famine, or pestilence; (2) the first effect of a change to civilized life is to diminish their numbers; (3) the final effect, however, is to a recovery and more rapid growth, even, than in their former state.