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Show KEPORT OF THE BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. 119 last year that he had a letter from Washington that said in a year the Indians would be like the white man, that they would learn everything 1 . You see for yourself that we have not pot started ; we have no one to whip us up ; we are like a lazy horse with no one to start him. PAINOST, ( Wascoe tribe.) You can see, as we are sitting about here, that half of us are almost naked. You can't expect much from us ; we are Indians. We have not sense enough to do much. It is true the President has given us the reservation to live on. We have been waiting a long while to hear from Washington; we want to know when they are going to fix us off like white people. You see all about are little houses, or little ranches ; all of them would only make one good farm. We do not have any wagons, plows, or harness that we can use every day as our own. We have nothing. Some of these people may have had the use of these things belonging to the agency more than I have, but I don't think they have. Many of the men know that there is good laud out a little way from the agency, but they can't go and live on it ; all must stay here to have the use of the plows and harness; that is how it is. We have cut logs, but they rot in the timber ; we have nothing to haul them away with. How, then, can we build houses ? I suppose they have sent harness, or money that bought it, but we can only use it a couple of days, and others then get it. So we can-not work all the time. You see the poor Indians live here miserably, and you know how it is. There are many people working on the reservation, ( carpenters, blacksmiths, & c.,) but we cannot talk plainly to them and ask for what we want ; or they will say we bother them. The Government has put us here, that we might live comfortably. We have but poor ranches, and cannot make a living on this poor land. The Government has tried to do something for us, but the ground will not raise anything. So we must go outside and hunt deer on which to live. Then the news goes to the President that the Indians are wandering off their reservations, troubling everybody. If we would live we must go outside, for this land is poor and will not raise anything. You can see we have no hogs, cows, sheep, or cattle on the reservation. We have nothing that the President has sent us. We have neglected nothing that he has given us. The seed he sent would not grow, and we had to go outside for food on which to live. Ever since we have been here we have been growing poorer and poorer. The Government was to give us something, and we would be glad to receive it. You see our saw- mill ? We have no lumber ; we have no oxen to haul timber, and we cannot pack it on our backs. HOAT, ( Warm Spring, or Upper Deschutes band.) All these men have listened to what you have said, and you have told us that you are sent to see how we are getting along. These are the children of the Great Father ; he has our hearts on his books. These Indians have been for a long time waiting to hear good news from him. They want the promises of the treaty carried out, and the goods that were promised us. We were to be all one, the white man and the Indian. I heard all you said, and believe it, and it- is the same as if the Great Father had said it. I keep it in my heart, just as if you had written it in a book. My people are afraid of Sunday ; it is a great day with them ; they do no mischief, but try to think of God. If we did not do this we would not expect God to be our friend after wo are dead. That is why I try to do right while I am on the earth. I want God, niy Father, to be pleased with me, and kind to me, for He made us, and we are His children. I never was taught anything. All I know I have picked up myself. I say nothing about my farm or house. I see what they are. They told me I would have a house, and many things. I will not tell you how I'live or how I have been treated, for others have told you all I could say. MACK, ( the chief.) These Snake Indians who are here are below me, as I am below a white man. They have as much right to speak as I have ; they should be equal with me in priv-ileges. The President said we should be equal. We are talking like civilized people to- day. The Government said if the Indians tried the teaching, some day he would see the benefit of it. Look upon us! I wish I could learn the white man's ways, although I am a red man. I want all these white men to listen to what we say, and they must not teach the Indian that the Government is bad. The President shall never hear of me going back to my old ways. I thought, after I gave up my country, it was all right. I never sold one- half of it ; I sold all of it. I know the funds are almost all gone now. You do not say you will give us any more money. I know there is but little more for us. If the President has pity on a sick man, let him have pity on us, and give us something. These Indians are ignorant, and cannot do anything for themselves. If he gives us anything to help us, and to better our condition, I would be very thankful. You have come almost too late to help us. We wish you would come often. If one lays anything out in the weather, it becomes worthless ; if they take care of it, it does not become bad so soon. This the Indian has to learn. I am glad to- day that you have come and talked to these people. I did not lie to the Government when I made the treaty, and I would not go back on the white man. If, when you go home, the Government has a mind to give us anything, it will be all right. If you give us anything more than the treaty calls for, it will be very kind. Since Meacham has been superintendent, we received four wagons last year and four this year. I would not ask Cap-tain Smith to give me a wagon to keep. If the superintendent has not given us such things as we ought to have, I would not blame Captain Smith for it. If I could, I would buy a wagon myself. The wagons and plows are here, but there are not enough for all the Indians, |