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Show 184 THE ASSINABOINES. I herewith resign my office of Indian agent in New Mexico, to take effect upon the receipt of this report. I am, sir, very truly, your obedient servant, E. A. GRAVES, Indian Agent. GEO. W. MANYPENNY, Com~nissimero,f Indian Affairs, Wwhington, D. C. No. 86. WASHINQTCOITNY , D. C., September 16, 1854. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report in relation to the Indians on my route of exploration from the head of navigation of the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean, and in the Territory of Washington. The Indians on the line of the route of the exploration are the Chippewas, Winnebagoes, Sioux, Assinahoines, Crees, Gros Ventres, Bloods, Piegans, Blackfeet, and Crows; and west of the mountains, the Flatheads, Kootenays, Pend d'oreilles, C ~ udr'A lenes, Spokanes, Nez Perces, Palouses, Cayuses, Walla-Wallas, Dalles, Cascades, Klikatats, Yakamas, Pisquouse, Okinakaues, Colvilles, and some forty tribes west of the Cascade mountains. The only white inhabit-ants are the traders and employ& of the fur companies, licensed traders in the unorganized portion of the Territory; east of the Cas-cades, the employ8s of the Hudson's Bay Company and the Red river half-breeds liring near the boundary-line and near Red river, a por-tion in American and a portion in English territory. THE ASSINABOINES. The first Indians whom I met in numbers on our route were the Assinaboines, who range west of the Sioux Indians. On the 25th of July I sent off an express company, consisting of Messrs. Osgood, Boutineau, Henry Beanbien, and Grey, to the Yellowstone, for the purpose of procuring supplies for the expedition. The same night they reached an encampment of Assinaboine Indians numbering about one hundred and fifty lodges, and containing some twelve hundred persons. The Indians built for them a lodge in the centre of their camp, and treated them with great hospitality. They had a few days before been met by Lieutenant Grover, in charge of one of my detached parties, who mas likewise treated by them wlth equal hospi-tality. Both Lieut. Grover and Mr. Osgood informed these Indians that on my arrival I would have a talk with them and make them some presents. -On the 27th, a little after noon, we came to a spot where we concluded to encamp, about a quarter of a mile from the Assinaboine camp, from which many Indians rode out to meet and welcome us. An Indian in advance of the party gave us the signal |