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Show 76 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. D. Camp Verde reservation: CAMP VERDE, ARIZONA TERRITORY, October 3, 1871. MoGhEaNvEeRAInLd: iaHnasvoinntghpeeVresrodnaelRliyvienrsapebcotveedtthhies pcoosutn, tarryidafnidndtihneg tchoendIintdiioannosfttohbeeAipnacchoen*- siderable numbers sick, destitute, and in a starving condition ; having no boundaries defining their home; their country overrun by hunters who kill their game, and not un-frequently kill the Indians gold prospectors and others, none of whom locate in this section of the country agreeably to the powers conferred upon me by the President, and communicated to me in the letter of the Secretary of the Interior dated July 21, 1871, and the orders of the Secretary of War of July 18 and 31, 1871, and in harmony with the humane action of Congress in providing funds for this purpose, I have con-cluded to declare all that portion of country adjoining on the northwest side of and above the military reservation of this post, on the Verde River, for a distance of ten miles on both sides of the river to the point where the old wagon- road to New Mexico crosses the Verde, supposed to be a distance up the river of about forty- five miles, to be - an Indian reservation, within the limits of which all peaceably disposed Apache Mo-have Indians are to be protected, fed, and otherwise cared for, and the laws of Congress and Executive orders relating to the government of Indian reservations shall have full power and force within the boundaries of the same unless otherwise ordered by Con-gress or the President. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, VINCENT COLTER, Commissioned. Brevet Major General C. GROVER, Commanding Camp Verde, Arizona Territory. APPENDIX A b, No. 16. Industry of the Apaches. Testimony of Colonel Green. HEADQUARTERS CAMP THOMAS, ARIZONA TERRITORY, December 31, 1870. [ Extract.] SIR: I have the honor to inclose orders Nos. 65 and 67, current series, and would respectfully ask their approval by the department commander. The Indians furnished one hundred and thirty tons of hay, at $ 30 per ton, for which they were paid in flour, charging cost and transportation, 16Jr cents per pound. After they delivered this amount of hay, I ordered the acting assistant quartermaster to pur-chase sixty additional tons, and pay them in corn ; but the weather became so bad they could not furnish it at that time, and as they had nothing to eat but the beef issued, I directed the acting commissary of subsistence to purchase six thousand pounds of corn from the quartermaster's department and issue it to them. I afterward concluded it would be better to keep them employed, and therefore directed the purchase of the wood from them. My whole aim is to keep them employed this winter if possible, as I think it will induce them to plant more next season than if they were fed for nothing ; but the diffi-culty is, they furnish the wood so fast that in a few days we shall have enough for the winter ; they bring at the rate of thirty cords per day. When they furnish d hay, they brought as high as fifteen tons in one day; and ifc must be remembered that the former is broken off by hand or cut with worn- out axes, and the latter cut by knives, and all carried in on their backs. It is wonderful with what alacrity they go to work. It is true, nearly all is done by women and children, but a few men also work more than at first; but this is the custom of the Indian, and cannot be eradicated at once. If the weather continues good we shall commence receiving the sixty additional tons of hay in a few days not that the hay is of the best quality at this late season, but in order to give the Indians employment, which I believe will meet the views of the de-partment commander, from what he said when at this post. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN GREEN, Major First Cavalry, Commanding Post. Department of Arizona. |