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Show COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 17 The condition of onr relations with the Indians of Colorado Qrritory, as represented by my latest advices from its supe~iutendent,G overnor Gilpiu, is not as favorable as is to be desired. The session of Congress creating this Territory, and establishing therein a new superintendency, failed to make the necessmy appro riations to defray the expenses incident to its altered condition, and owing to &is fact, and to the further facts that communications with the Temtory have been very uncertain and the distribution of the gratuities has been thereby impeded, the emissaries of the rebels, as well as the disaffected resident whites, have been enabled to make a strong impression upon the minds of the Indians, and at last advices it would seem that, although no acts of hos-tility on their part have been committed, they were beginning to waver in their loyalty, and it will require, and I doubt not receive, on the part of the govern-ment and its representatives, the exercise of prudence and good management to avert the calamities which would $tend an alliance of the Indians with the rebels. As the usual supplies have now gone forward, I feel sanguine that the dangers so much apprehended by Governor Gilpin are passed, and that be will be enabled to preserve friendly relations with the tribes of the Territory. A treaty was concluded with the Cheyennes and Arapahoes in February last, by which their title to a large extent of country, including Denver City and the surrounding regions, was extinguished. This treaty was ratified at the late session of the Senate, with an amendment, to which the assent of the Indians was necessary before its promulgation as the law of the land. Measures were accordingly taken to procure their assent, which waa readily given. So soon as appropriations are made so that its stipulations may be fulfilled, I have no doubt it will be attended with highly favorable res111ts. The time has now fully arr~vedw hen the formidable tribes between the Upper Arkansas and Texas should be brought within the scope of our Indian. policy. For two years the Comanches and Kiowas have rendered the passage of the plains perilous to emigrants, hut recently they have manifested a disposition to assume friendly relations with the government, and to be restored to its confi-dence, and have entered into a preliminary treaty to effect that object. For this reason the presents of goods, which for two years have been withheld from them, have been distributed this year. Thus the travel upon the great plains between the frontier and New Mexico has again been made secure and its worst dangers averted. The recent discovery of gold within this Territory has drawn thither a rapid tide of emigration, which being precipitated amongst the tribes occupying the gold bearing regions of the Territory, thus mingling the white and red races, without any treaties contemplating so radical a change in their relations, has greatly increased the diBculties in the way of a successful administration of its Indian affairs. It will be necessary to negotiate treaties with many of the tribes, and as the inteiior of the country is being so rapidly filled with our people, the demands of justice to the Indians, as well as good policy, require that great care should be exercised in order to secure for them suitable and ample reservations upon which to locate their future homes. The change from savage to civilized life is very great, and is, at best, beset with difficulties and perplexities. As the ultimate object of all our operations among the Indians sshoud be to better their condition, it will &-my-duty, as well as of all other employes of the government, to endearor to secure for them reservations of such dimensions, and pos3essing such natural facilities in climate, soil, and all other desirable qualities, as will, so far as possible, remove the obstacles in the way of their advancement, nd present to them the greatest inducements to abandon savage and a d ~ pcti vilized modes of life. On the 31st of July last Governor Nye held a talk with the Indians located on the spacious and suitable reservation on Walker river, which is occupied by 2 I |