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Show REPORT OF THE BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. 67 of the Indians referred to, and whether, or not, they wore in the hn. bit of making predatory excursions during the time they were at this post. First, in regard to the character of the Indians, it has heen my fortune at various periods of my life to be brought in contact with several tribes of friendly Indians, and, as a natural con-sequence, I have compared the character of the Apaches with that of others. Speaking generally of these Indians, I have considered them superior in intelligence to any triba 1 have met with. The general reputation for honesty of the Apache tribe is poor; but these people, as I have before stated, gave no cause of complaint until their final outbreak, the causes of which it would, perhaps, be well to consider before condemning all. Of these causes I understand you will be informed, so that it is unnecessary for me to mention them here. As regards any acts of hostility committed by these Indians from the time they came upon the reservation up to their final outbreak, June 8; 1871, at which time they killed Charles McKenuey, I submit the following: From the time. they came in, these Indians were counted and their numbers recorded every three days* I kept no journal at that time, but very frequently went with Lieutenant Whitman and counted the various hands; those counts, of course, were recorded, as the issues were made accordingly, and the records, I believe, are preserved. Comparing, then, the date of any depredation in Southern Arizona, or elsewhere, with the records, will show whether or not any of these Indians could have been engaged therein* In this, however, there is one difficulty, viz : At various times small parties were permitted to go out for mescal, as the allowance was not sufficient; during these periods I am unable to vouch for their acts, and can only say that usually those who went out were mostly women and children, it being the custom among the Indians of this tribe, as of others, to require their women to do the greater portion of their work.. For the reasons stated, it is impossible for me to say positively that no Indians upon the reservation engaged in hostilities, but my conviction was that they did not, and I shall continue so to believe until I have seen some evidence to the contrary. I do not consider the statements of a few citizens that some of these Indians had committed depredations a sufficient proof to warrant the indiscriminate murder of a whole band, and it is certain that it was impossible for any large number to have been engaged in hostilities during the time the bands were here; moreover, I do now doubt the ability of any person or persons to prove that any one Indian of these bands committed a single hostile act from the time of their arrival here, about the middle of February, 1871. It has been asserted that this fact can be proved. By proof, I mean sufficient proof to convict before a properly constituted tribunal. I have not arrived at the con-clusions I have formed on account of any especial love for the Apache tribe, nor from any prejudice against the citizens of this Territory, among whom 1 have found tine gen-tlemen and warm friends. On the contrary, I was strongly opposed to the peace policy with these Indians when they first came in, and was not convinced of their sincerity until I received evidence by watching their actions carefully. Moreover, as I was in nowise responsible in the Indian matter, I consider myself an impartial spectator from the middle of February up to the llth of April, at which time I left the post on leave of absence, and from May 21 to June 8. In closing, I deem it my duty, sir, to mention a subject in connection with the Indian question which relates to the acts of an officer of the Army, viz : Lieutenant Royal E. Whitman, Third Cavalry. Attempt/ shave been made, principally through the columns of the Arizona Citizen, a journal published in Tucson, Arizona Territory, to make it appear that this officer was a debauched scoun-drel and a slave to vice. Among other things, he has been accused of associating with Indian women, and of being a confirmed drunkard. I know little of this officer's his-tory previous to his assuming command of this post, Daeember last, but from the time the Indians came in up to the llth of April, and from May 21 to the time thay left, to the best, of my knowledge he touched not a drop of liquor. The other statement given iii the Arizona Citizen had not the slightest foundation in truth. Of his official acts, if I had a right to speak, I could speak only in his praise ; but the records of this post are his sufficient vouchers. I have taken this liberty to correct the abuse that has been hurled at Lieutenant Whitman, for the reason that I have been a groat portion of the time the only officer serving with him, and I have not corrected it before for the reason that no proper opportunity presented itself. The statements I have sot forth in the foregoing I certify on my honor aro correct* and have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. W. ROBINSON, JR., Second Licutenart ' Ihird United Mates Cavalry, Hon. VINCENT COLYKR, Indian Commissioner. |