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Show WASHINGTON SUPERINTENDENCY. The annual reports of the superintendent and agints of this superintendency have not been received; hence I am unable to $resent in detail the condition of the Indians within its limits. It is believed, however, that while many of the tribes are friendly, there is more reason to apprehend difficulties with some of those &thin this Territory than from any others upon the Paciiie coast. The appropAation of the last session of Congress for the purpose of nego-tiating a treaty with the Nee Perch was made so late in the season that, not. withstanding the fact that commissioners were promptly appointed and the ne-cesamy funds forwarded for the purpose of such negot.iation, I am informed by Superintendent Hale that the commissioners may not be able to enter upon the discharge of their duties uutil next spring, when we have reason to hope that a treaty will be negotiated which will secure peace between the Nez Perces and the crowds of whites who have gone upon their reservation in search of the gold which there abounds. I t will ,be obsemed, by a perusal of some of the papera accompanying this report, that complaints are made with regard to the large arremagea of the Indian service in Oregon and Washington, and the delay attending their settlement. I submit a few facts, the simple statement of which, it is hoped, will be regarded as a sufficient answer to these complaints. The outstanding liabilities for the Indian service ill Oregon and Washington, ao far as can be determined from the very imperfect returns furnished this office, amount to $201,186 57, of which nearly four-fifths accrued during'the last ad- . , ministration. The delay in the settlement of these liabilities may be attribGted to varioue causes, aaide from the impoztant fact that less than one-half of the aboveamount has been forwarded to this office for examination and settlement. The changes consequent upon the going out of the late administration in-duced many holders of certified vouihers to forward them to the department for akttlement. In many instances but one of a'triplicate or quadruplicate set of I vouchers are forwarded, and papers, such as bills of lading, contracts, &c., m-ferred to on the face of the voucher, are withheld. An error of this kind involves delay, it being the rule of the office that all papers belonging to or re; latimg to claims or accounts should he submitted before settlement can be had. h e neglect on the part of some of theagents to transmit a statement of their outstanding liabilities, for the information of the department, contributes to the delay in their settlement. In many instances the first intimation that the office receivea of the indebtedness is the appearance of the agent's certified voucher for the amount, without explanation of any kind touching the transaction creating the liability. .Many vouchers were and are transmitted to this office in advance of the agent's accou~~ftopr the quarter in which they were issued. . , , The delay on the part of some and the neglect of other agents to render and |