These annual conferences of the Board of Commissioners and the representatives of the different religious denominations, unofficial as they are, have been of great benefit to the official administration of Indian affairs, and, at some critical periods, have helped to save the peace policy from disaster. The Conference this year has been unusually interesting, in view of the disposition lately manifested to transfer the control of Indian affairs to the War Department, and of a new class of questions respecting the Indians themselves, which assume practical importance in view of their rapid progress toward civilization. It appears that the religious sentiment of the country, as represented by those who control and direct its efforts to civilize and Christianize the Indians, is unanimously opposed to a change in the present general policy toward the Indian, in the mode of its administration; and many weighty facts and reasons are brought to the support of this opposition. The new questions brought into view, affecting the Indians themselves, are specified in the following address to the Board of Indian Commissioners, adopted by the representatives of the religious societies, and presented this morning: “This Convention would respectfully express its deep interest in certain recommendations, in relation to the welfare of the Indians, which received the approval of similar conventions held in former years, but which have not yet gained their rightful place in the action of the Government. Among these are: “_First_—The extension of law over all the Indians, so as to provide for the safety of property and of human life. “_Second_—Legal provision for the common-school education of Indian children by the General Government, until such education shall be provided by the several States in which they reside. “_Third_—Definite regulations to secure to Indians the possession of land in fee and in severalty in all practicable cases by titles properly guarded. “The Convention regards these three things as of the greatest importance, indeed, as essential to the civilization of the Indians, and as calling for the action of Congress without longer delay. Further, the Convention would express grave doubts as to the wisdom of removing Indian tribes to the Indian Territory, or to larger reservations, in cases in which the Indians are in a good measure prepared to abandon their tribal relationship, and to enter on civilized life. They should, at the least, have the option of remaining where they are subject to the conditions of citizenship, before they are compelled to remove to distant places, at the great hardship and suffering, and loss of health and life, which such enforced removal always involves. At the same time, this Convention is deeply impressed with the importance of all wise measures that look to early self-support of the Indians as citizens of our common country.