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Show December 21, 1885, in the special session of Congress, he introduced Senate Bill Number 769 which provided for the removal of the Southern Ute Indians from Colorado. 7 As was the usual procedure, the bill was read twice then referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. 8 Three other pieces of legislation asking for Ute removal were introduced in Congress. Senate Bill Number 1916, submitted by T. M. Bower on the 19th of March, asked that the Southern Utes be removed to the Territory of Utah. 9 The first placed before that group, House Resolution Number 3869, submitted on the 18th of January, 1886, by G. G. Symes, simply asked that the Utes be moved from the State of Colorado. io House Resolution Number 9315, also introduced by Representative Symes, asked that the Utes be removed to Utah. All bills failed to gain support. However, Congress was responding to pressures from a new source, Ignacio and the Weeminuche people. This band of Southern Utes was most often involved in the continual conflicts with the cattlemen. They decided that they wanted to be moved to an area where they would not be bothered by the Anglos. A letter from the Agent, Charles Stollsteimer, to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs stated lgnacios desire to be removed: I have the honor to report as follows: Ignacio, principal Chief of the Southern Ute Indians, informed me that his people are dissatisfied with their present location and desire to select a new reservation in Utah; they will not consent to being consolidated with other tribes of Utes. His reasons for the disaffection among the Utes are: the ill shaped reserve upon which they are situated and the constant difficulties arising with the white settlers. Each new year is but a repetition of the old and his Indians are tired of the everlasting turmoil and wish to emigrate; Ignacio is firm in his desire and requested me to at once inform the Honorable Commissioner." This addition of Ignacio's voice to those of the Colorado people and the rattle-men prompted Senator Bowen to write the Commissioner, J. D. C. Atkins, suggesting that a delegation of Utes be brought to Washington for the purposes of negotiating a new removal agreement. His letter read: The removal of the Southern Utes from their present reservation in Southwestern Colorado seems- to all who understand the situation- an actual and present necessity. In view of the facts which you understand I suggest that the Agent, Mr. C. F. Stollsteimer whose P O address is Ignacio, Colorado be directed by your Department to come to Washington at once and to bring several ( say three) of the headmen of that tribe with him to the end that such removal may be made without unnecessary friction. 12 7. U. S., Congress, Senate, " Bills Introduced," Congressional Record, Vol. XVII, Part 1, 49th Cong., 1st Sess., December 21, 1885, p. 347. Hereafter cited as Congressional Record, Vol. XVII. . . . 8. Ibid. 9. U. S., Congress, Senate, " Bills Introduced," Congressional Record, Vol. XVII, Part 3, 49th Cong., 1st Sess., March 10, 1886, p. 2521. 10. Congressional Record, Vol. XVII, op. cit., House, " Southern Ute Indians," p. 718. 11. Charles Stollsteimer to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, December 28, 1885, National Archives, Indian Records, Record Group 75, Washington, D. C. 12. Thomas M. Bowen to J. D. C. Atkins, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, January 14, 1886, National Archives, Indian Records, Record Group 75, Washington, D. C. - 32- - - |