| OCR Text |
Show REPORT OF THE COMMIBBIONEE OF INDIAN AFF4IR8. 91 civilization which were directly traceable to the permission granted the Indians to sell their surplus tlmber ; that their best land, indeed almost all thatis fit for cultivation, is still, orhas been until very lately, covered with timber; that they had cleared ingood faith about 600 awes, whieh was all being cultivated, some promising a good eropfor this season, the balance being cleared from brush, etc., and prepared as fast as possible for seeding this fall; and he expressed the hope that the Indians would be allowed to continue this work until they should have cleared of tim-ber as much of this arable land as they can cultivate. All reports agree that the Indians make fnlly as good use of the proceeds of tbeir logs as would any white community. After paying for their supplies they expend the greater part of what is left in the pnr-chase of wagons, harness, stock, seeds, and agricultural implements, and in the repair, improvement, and erection of dwelling-honses. In compliance with their request, the President, under date of Sep-tember 20,1889, authorized the Menomonees to bank, for sale, dead and down timber during the coming season. f i e Oneida Indians, who are under the care of the same agency as the Menomonees, have asked to be allowed to market dead and down timber from their reservation this winter, but the agent advises against it for several reasons, the principal reason being that it might compli-cate the work now in progress of allotting to them their land in sever-alty. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. J. NOEG-AN, Commissionm. The SEOEETAEY OF TEE INTERIOR. |
