Indian agent

As Indian Agent ( Engl: Indian Agent ) of the Administration of Indian Affairs ( Engl: Indian affairs ) was and the trade with the indigenous population competent, local representatives of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (English for Bureau of Indian Affairs BIA - ) referred to. Originally the war under the Ministry BIA is since 1849 a department of the Ministry of the Interior of the United States. The agents employed by the BIA served especially as a mouthpiece for the government, observers of Native American activities and communication between Indians and white settlers. They were used mainly in the border region of the expanding United States and should by will of the government among the Indians live their acculturation advance. However, the agents could be appointed for special tasks, such as " Removal Agents" (English for resettlement agents), who led the relocation of the Indians during the Trail of Tears.

The contract was awarded on the basis of the "Act to Regulate Trade and Intercourse with the Indian Tribes, and to Preserve Peace on the Frontiers. " (English for Law regulating the trade and relations with the Indians and for peace on the frontier preserve ) of 3 March 1799 the extension of 30 March 1802. often this task by officers of the U.S. military was perceived and was in many cases also the springboard to a political career. At the beginning of the 20th century the office of Indian agent was abolished.

Known Indian agents

• Pierce Mason Butler (1798 - 1847)
• Christopher Houston " Kit" Carson (1809 - 1868)
• William Clark (1770 - 1838)
• Robert Wilkinson Furnas (1824 - 1905)
• David Brydie Mitchell (1766 - 1837)
• Thomas Posey (1750 - 1818)
• Henry Rowe Schoolcraft (1793 - 1864)