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Show COM~KISSIONER OF INDUN AFFAIRS. 23 tnrage, ample for grazing large herds of cattle and sheep, it is regarded as possessing superior advantages, and would soon become self-sns-- taining'. It borklers upon the white settlements, which, as well as the reservation, would seem t o require military protection against the Snake Indians, who inhabit the adjacent country beyond the ' I Blue Mountains." The Nez Percbs are located upon a reservation of immense area and ; great natural resources, embracing extensive pastures and agricultural tracts, abundance of game and fish, while forests of pine, cedm, and Iarch, found along the cburse of the '<Clear Water" river, with the timber of the mountains, would yield a permanent income tothe tribe, the stream being adapted to rafting, and navigable for batteaux. i The Nez.Perc6s are reported as having generally adopted civilized dress, and a considerable number profesa Christianity and are expplsry I in their conduct, although for thirteen years they have been withoub any white teaclier of religion. The various tribes confederated under the name of the Yakima netien are on a reservation east of the Cascade mountains, having BU area af about eight hundred square miles, of which the Simcoe valley is the chief habitable part, snd where, the. Indians are located. , , These Indians, parties to the treaty of June 9,1855, were all among ,the hostiles during the late Indian war. The survivors are said to be fully sensible of their folly, and appreciate the advantages of peace. They are considered ss entirely subdued, and aresubservient. Al.thougk infefior to other interior tribes in their physioal and mental powers, it is believed that marked success will attend the efforts to w r y out the policy of the government in relation to them. The continual incursions of the Indians residing beyond our terri-torial limits are referred to by the superintendent, who report8 that. .mns&nt collisions occur between them and the Indians of the reserve- %ions, and that the lives and property of the white settlers are jeopar-dized. The employment of a small, swift war steamer is again recommend& for service against these " outside barbarians" of Puget's Sound. In consequence of the failure of Congress to provide for the employ-ment of additional agents in Washington Territory, the different tribes with whom.we have treaty stipulations, and for whom the additional ' '1 awgiethn tost hweerr be ainndtse nndoetd e, mhbarvaec ebde ienn atnrayn tsrfeeartrye.d fo another reservation, It is important that, all the Indians in Oregon and Washington- Territory, not provided for by existing treaties, should be negotiated. with at an early day, and confederated with those bands and tribes already removed to and supported upon the raewations now estab- ! iished ; and appropfiations shonld be made by Congreau to meet the expenses incident to such negotiations. Theactmaking appropriationsfor the ourrent andeontingentexpenses of the Indian d-partment, and for fulfillinfi treaty stipulations with various Indian .tribes, for the year. ending June 30,1861, approved June 19, 1860, appropriated $35,000 "for the purchase and trans-portation of provisions and presents, and to meet expenses necessery in holding a council with the 'Arrapahoe and Cheyenne Indian8 |
