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Show XXVI REPORT OF THE COMMISSlONER OF INDIAN AFl%AIRS. I I have traveled all through the country referred to since the 1st of July, and am satided that had any riolenos been committed by the Indians, I should have heard I of it. Very reapeotfully, Xaj. T. T. TEORNBURGH, Commanding Oficer, Fort Fved Steele, Wyo. [Fonrth indorsement.] HEADQUARTEMRISU T~RYDI VISIONO P TEE MIS80UR1. Ci~ioagoA, ugust 6, 1879. Respectfully forwarded to the Adjotant-General of the Army, inviting attention to the indorsement of General Crook, and report of Major Thornburgh. P. H. SHERIDAN, JhulmntGsneraZ Commanding. On the 15th of July, in reply to office telegram of the 7th, the'hgent reported that the mission of Chief Donglass and the employ6 had been successful; that Middle Park had been vacated by the Indians ; and that they were returning to the agency. He also stated that the Indians had no appreciation of the value of forests, and in order to obtain dry fuel for winter use, or to drive the deer to one place where they might be easily killed, fires were lighted, by which large tracts of valuable timber were burned over, to the great exasperation of settlers. TO this communication the otace replied as follow8 : DepanTarsrrr OP THE .INT&RIoR, OFrrce INDIAANra mq Wmhingtom, Adtcgust 15, le79. SIR: I am in m i p t of your letter, dated 15th ultimo, relative to the departare of the Indians from the Middle Perk, their destruction of grass, timber, ke., and refer-ring to my telegram to you of the 236 ultimo, directing you to "take a decided stand with your Indians to prevent further depredations," have to atste in addition that camplsints of a serious c h s ~ c t e rh ave been made to the oface in regard to the fires which have bean set by the Indiana, sB yon have been advised by 0500 lettar of the 12th instant, and these headleas and lanleas acts, anleas checked, will lead to collis-ions between the whites and the Indians. Yon will, therefore, if possible, ascertain what Indians committedthe depredations to which yon refer, and have them arreated nnd subjected to soma sdeqnate punishment. Egsmples must be made of some of t.hem in order to deter others from similar outrages. In closing your letter you state incidentally that after the Indians have received-their yearly distribution of annuity goods "they will depart and roam over a eountrJ as large as New England, where settlers are s t ~ g g l i n gto make new homes, and the Indians think it all right because they are, as they boast, peaceable Indians." In reply, yon are direded to adopt, without delay, decisive measnres to put a stop t,o these roaming habite of your Indimus. Office instructions embraced in the oircnlar of December 23, 1678, in regad to their being treatad sa hostile Indiansand lilisble to arrest, if they are found outside of their reservation withont passes, should be en-forced, and yon ahonld also give them to understand that their annuities will be withheld from them if they do not oomplg. with the iwquiremente of the o5ce. Ysry respectfully, 33. A. HBYT, Commiaaioner. N. C. MEEKERE, sq., United 8tQkS In&ieias Agent, White Rive. Agency, Col., cia RamZins Station, JVyom<ng. |
