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Show UTAH. 311 It is hard to make an lndian believe that the whites are their friends, and the Great Father wishes to do them good, when, perhaps, the very next party which crosses their path shoots them down like wolves. This trouble with the Indians only exists along the line of travel west, and beyond the influence of our settlements. The Shoshones are not hostile to travellers, so far as they inhabit this Territory, except perhaps a few called '' snake diggers," who in-habit, as before stated, along the line of travel west of the settlements. There have, however, been more or less depredations the present season north, and more within the vicinity of the settlements, owing to the causes above mentioned, and I find it of the utmost difficulty to restrain them. The sound of war quickens the blood and nerves of sn Indian. . The report that troops were wending their way to this Territory has also had its influence upon them. In one or two instances this was the reason assigned why they made the attacks which they did upon some herds of cattle ; they seemed to think if it was lo be war, they might as well commence, and begin to lay in a supply of food when they had a chance. If I am to have the direction of the Indian affairs of this Territory, and am expected to maintain friendly relations with the Indians, there are a few things that I would most respectfully suggest to be done. First. That travellers omit their infamous practiceof shooting them down when they happen to see one. Whenever the citizens of this Ter- ' ritory travel the roads, they are in the habit of giving the Indians food, tobacco, and a few other presents; and the Indians expect some such trifling favor ; and they are emboldened by this practice to come up to the road with a view of receiving such presents. When, therefore, travellers from the States make their appearance they throw themselves in sight with the same view, and when they are shot at, and some of their numbers killed, as has frequently been the case, we cannot but expect them to wreak their vengeance upon the next train. Second. That the government should make more liberal appro-priations to be expended in presents. 1 have proven that it is far cheaper to feed and clothe the Indians than to fight them. I find, moreover, that, after all, when the fighting is over, it is al-ways followed by extensive presents, which, if properly distributed in the first instance, might have averted the fight. In this case, then, the expense of presents are the same ; and it is true in nine-tenths of the cases that have happened. Third. The troops must be kept away, for it is a prevalent fact that wherever there are the most of these, we may expect to find the greab est amount of hostile Indians, and the least security to persons an& property. If these three items could be complied with, I have no hesitation in saying that, so far as Utah is concerned, travellers could go to and from, pass and repass, and no Indian would disturb or moleet them or their property. In regard to my drafts, it appears that the department is indisposed to pay them, for what reason I am at aloss to conjecture: I am aware |