OCR Text |
Show 8 REPORT OF THE gion, and the causes of them, with the action of the agent in the premises. With reference to depredations, I have only to repeat the remarks made in a former report, and to suggest that it would be much better and safer if the law was regarded as the rule of action in all such cases. The Poncas inhabit the country adjacent to the valley of the 1'Eau qui Court. They plant corn. The whites are beginning to settle the country which these Indians claim. The Pawnees, who were formerly compelled by their hostilities with the Sioux to leave their own country north of the Platte and seek a home south of that river, have now been compelled to abandon the latter. The whites are now encroaching upon them north of that stream ; and while these Indians also cultivate land to a limited ex-tent, yet they and the Poncas, from the uncertainty of reaping the fruit of their labors, seem to be depressed, and many have given them-selves up to indolence and vice. They infest the highways, are inso-lent to travellers, and seek to procure a livelihood by begging and stealing. It is exceedingly important that arrangements, heretofore suggested with respect to these bands, be consummated without delay, which will settle them down on fixed and permanent homes, and thus wromote their comfort and relieve the settlers and emi-e rants from iheir annoyance. In speaking of the face of the country, streams, &c., in the upper portion of the central superintendency, the superintendent remarks, that "the Missouri river is navigable, for boats drawing thirty-four inches, from a point twenty-five milesJelow its falls to its mouth-s distance of more than twenty-nine hundred miles. Thirty-five miles below the Judith begins the first of three inconsiderable ranids. none of which present any important obstacle to navigation. l ~ h k tnh e character of the navigation of this river becomes more generally known, it will be the thoroughfare to Utah, Oregon, and Washington Territories. In ascending this river beyond Fort Benton, the first fall is eighty-nine feet in perpendicular height. The upper fall, seven miles beyond this, is thirty-five feet in height; the intermediate space presents minor falls, and a succession of rapids. Above the falls there is uninterrupted navigation for small boats for three hun-dred miles, in a southerly direction." He also states that the Yellow Stone is navieable for small boats a distance of six hundred miles from its moutg. The Omahas are represented as improving in their condition. They are contented, and have ample provisions for the approaching winter. Their reservation is highly spoken of by their agent ; and when the necessary governmentand mission buildings, now in course of con-struction, are finished, and all the other improvements contemplated are made upon it, the home of the Omahas, at the Blackbird Hills, will be a very desirable one. A good crop of corn, potatoes, and pumpkinrr was produced on their reserve ; and, in addition thereto, the Indians have had a very successful hunt. Some prairie land has been broken and planted for the Ottoes and Missourias, at their new reserve on the Big Blue ; but their interests have suffered for the want of an agent to attend to them. It is to be |