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Show LXVlII REPORT OF THE COMXISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. thaL such surveys have been completed, steps will be taken to locate these Indians under the provisions of the general allotment act, which are regarded as more favorable to them than are the provisions of the homestead laws. During the summer a party of Northern Cheyennes left the Pine Ridge agency and went to Tongue river with the arowed intention of remaining there. The agent reported that it would be useless to at. tempt to effect their return without tbe aid of troops. M4litary assist-ance was accordingly invoked, and under dateof August 1G,1887,Agen0 Upshaw reported that 199 Indians had started for Pine Ridge agency under on escort of eavalry. These Indians were very reluctant to re-turn, and only consented to go without resistance, after a two-days1 wuncil, in which piwmises were made that the returning Pine Ridge Cherennes would he protected from any mistreatment by the Sionx, and t.hat strong statements of the great desire of the Northern Chey-ennes to be united at one place woula be made to the President. There is no doubt that most of the Cheyennes at'Pine Ridge are greatly dissatisfied with their-location, whether justly so or not, and that it would be best to gratify their desire to remove to Montana if it were practicable to do so. With the present information as to the char-acter of the lanrls on Tongue and Rosebud riyers, I do not think, how. ever,that it.would be wise to permit any more Indians to locate there. After those who are now there haye had lands allotted them, it can be ascertained whether or not there are any surplus lands available, and the dispositioii of theCheyennes at PineRidge can then be determined upon.. WINNEBAGO BESERVATION IN NEBRASKA. Congress having adjoiimed without favorable action on the bill for the sale of a portion of the Winnebago reservation, steps have been taken to allot the lands under the provisions of the general allotment act, and ~ i sAali ce 0. Fletcher is now engaged in the work. When the allotments are completed and patents issued these Indians will be subject to the laws both civil and criminal of the State of Nebraska. Should there be any surplus lands remiining, negotiations can be had for their sa.le. Thus the ends desired by the bill referred to can be at-tained without further enabling legislation. THE NAVAJO INDIANS IN NEW MEXICO AND ARIZONA. Under date of April G, 1887, I took occasion to call the attention of the Department to the constantly recurring troubles betwcen the non-resewation Navajos and white settlers on the borders of .the Navajo reservation in New Mexico and Arizona, and to present for your con-sideration a plan of action looking to the ultimate removal and settle. ment of all these non-reservation Indians upon the Navajo reserve. As the result of this correspondence a special agent of this office has been ordered to the Navajo country, witb ariew to effecting that much desire& object. . . |