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Show has not drawn rations or clothing, and are very destitute. Their poverty has evidently convinced them that they must commence farming and support themselves. This band has been sometimes designated as Pi- Utes; they are not Pi- Lltes but are Pah- Utes - which signifies Runaway or Renegade Utes. They are in fact a part of the Southern Utes, of Colorado, and are entitled to be enrolled, rationed and clothed, and enjoy all the rights of Southern LItes in the reservation, and under the treaties. At least this is my conclusion from all the facts I have been able to gather. These Indians should be cared for and attached to some tribe, and I am not able to learn that they have any rights with any other tribe. In common humanity they ought to receive the aid of the Government, and unless there are facts and conditions, of which I am ignorant, they ought to be incorporated into the Southern Lite Tribe and treated as a part of the Weeminuche band, and this the Weeminuches are anxious shall be done. All the men present, to the number of twenty, and whose names did not appear on the census rolls, signed the acceptance of the provisions of the act of Congress. There were about forty Weeminuche men, who were not present, and whose signatures were not procured, but I am told they are in accord in their wishes with the rest of the band, and that their signatures may be procured hereafter. If their names are added to the paper with the others, they will constitute a majority of the male adult Utes. Following the precedent of the Childs' Commission, I have treated as adults all over the age of eighteen years . . . . . . . At the first conference with the Mohuaches Lsicl and Capotes, they agreed to meet me on the 22nd inst.. I accordingly met them yesterday, and had a protracted inter Lsicl with them, again repeating the provisions of the Act of Congress in detail, he chiefs and head men declared themselves opposed to anv change, tho' I am told many of the common Indians desire to accept the proposition of the Government and sign the paper. 1 did not press the matter upon them, believing it wise to give them time for discussion and deliberation. At this point in writing my letter I received a telegram for the Agency, saying two prominent Indians desired me to come there and have a talk. I accordingly went and met about forty of them. Buckskin Charlie and Washington are opposed to their taking anv action, and insist on their remaining in their present condition, but the great majority of them are anxious to take their lands and commence farming, - the Capotes are especially so, and it is believed they will override the resistance of Buckskin Charlie among the Mohuaches tsicL From checks presented by Charlie at the trading store, Mr. Day thinks he has been paid' to make opposition, by those who wish to retain the reservation as a grazing ground, and the meadows for hay. Many of them asked me to return on Monday and they would vote for acceptance at that time. If it should appear that a majority have voted for a change, I will present and have signed the paper, of which the enclosed is a copy, and as they now view the matter, I think we can safely count on nearly all of these bands accepting ds Ian in severaltv; the Weeminuches are so fully determined on - 53- |
