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Show REPORT OF THE BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. 77 HEADQUARTERS, CAMP GOODWIN, Arizona Territory, May ,1871. [ Extract. I SIR : There being no grain on hand here, and no hay fit for feeding, I was iu con-siderable trouble as to how to subsist the animals of the post, until I thought the hay might be furnished by the Indians, and I at once tried the experiment, directing the acting assistant quartermaster to pay them $ 1 per one hundred pounds, either in cur-rency or quartermasters or commissary stores, charging cost and transportation for the two latter ; and it was really interesting to see with what spirit they went to work, and what nice, clean hay they brought in, much superior to any I have seen furnished by contractors in Arizona. Yesterday, upwards of four thousand pounds were brought. Even the children went to work with great alacrity; one little child, that could scarcely more than walk, brought in nine pounds, for which he received three- quarters of a pound of flour, and was highly delighted with his success. I pro-pose to supply the new post with hay in the same way, which will be much cheaper than if done by contract. As we have to feed these Indians more or less, I would even recommend that wood for fuel be received from them, paying, say, $ 5 per cord, and thus show them that labor is valuable and brings its own reward. While the Indian will be a gainer the Govern-ment will not be a loser, as I propose to make them pay cost and transportation for what is issued to them. I was sorry that the supply of grain at this post did not admit of my complying fully with the general's wishes in giving them corn for seed. I could illy spare a very small amount, so that their planting will not be as extensive this year as I had hoped. I am in hopes that by next year I will be able to furnish them sufficient seed, and would also respectfully* recommend that the department commander urge the necessity of furnishing the ruder implements of agriculture, as at present their only means of farming are sharpened sticks, and it is wonderful to see with what advantage they use them. They frequently ask for other seed than corn, particularly pumpkins, beans, squashes, and melons. It would, probably, be well for the Indian Bureau to send an agent to look after the interests of these people. I know the War Department is very close in regard to the issue of rations to Indians; it believes they should be fed out of the Indian appropriations; but can I see them starve before rny eyes and not give them relief? I ask them, " Why are you so poorf " and the answer invariably is, " How can wo be otherwise? We had not much originally, and now we can get nothing; we do not steal. We cannot go to the mescal country, as we are liable to be met and killed by scouting parties." I know myself this to be the case, hence they have either to starve or steal, or we must feed them until they can raise enough for themselves. I would also recommend that if they really turn out faithful they be furnished with stock cattle, which can be very cheaply purchased iu Texas by the herd ; also soiuo sheep, which can be as cheaply bought in New Mexico; thus in a few years they will not only be self- sustaining, but have material for sale. Here I would state that the above propositions would of course be only an experiment, but one I think well worth try-ing. The Final Indians have sent me word that they are desirous to come in and be a- t peace, but they are afraid we will either confine or kill them. I suppose they are influenced by guilty consciences. I have sent them messengers to say if they want to have a talk, I will guarantee their safety and report their words to my superior offi-cers. I expect them back in a few days, when I will report the result of their mission. I gave the messenger particularly to understand we did not care \ vhoMier they cauio in or not, but if they did they might do so with perfect safety. I am, sir, very respectfully, JOHN GREEN, f Major First Cavalry, Brevet Lieut. Colonel U, S. A., Commanding Post. ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL, Department of California. HEADQUARTERS CAMP ORD, ARIZONA TERRITORY, August 13, 1870. SIR : I " have the honor to report that the Indian chief, Cochise, sent a message to me, saying that he wanted to make peace with the whites, and was tired of war, and that he would like to make arrangements to come and see mo himself, but, as he is such an old offender, I thought it b< st to ask instructions from the department commander in regard to his case. All the Indians seem to think that if they come here and talk with me they are all right, notwithstanding I have been endeavoring to explain to them, at all times, that I have no authority to make any arrangement with them, except that whilu they were not marauding, but remained in this part of the country, they would |