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Show 38 REPORT OF THE BOARD OP INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. [ Second letter.] THE APACHE INDIANS AT CANADA ALAMOSA, NEW MEXICO. FORT CRAIG, NEW MEXICO, August 22, 1871. Before leaving Santa F6 I received a letter from Agent Arny, of the Pueblos, writ-ten by C. E. Cooley, esq., dated " Camp Apache, ArizonaTerritory, July 26, 1871," marked A &, 10, giving an account of the good conduct and poverty of a band of Coyotero Apaches at that place, who, for several years past, under their chief Miguel, have been living peaceably and using their best endeavors to induce the other portion of their band under Cochise, who is a Coyotero, to do the same. Remembering that the records of the Department amply testified to the general truth of this letter, immediately on its receipt I wrote to N. Pope, esq., superintendent of Indian affairs for New Mexico, requesting him to see that these Indians, 400 in number, be promptly supplied with beef, corn, and clothing to an amount not exceeding two thousand dollars ; and as Agent Arny had been previously instructed to go to the Pueblo Village at Zuni to send out Indian runners to inform the roving Apaches that, if they wish for peace, they must come in upon the reservations either at Camp Grant or Canada Alamosa, and, as Zuui was but 100 miles from Camp Apache, I requested Superintendent Pope to employ Mr. Arny to execute that order, ( Appendix A 6, No. 11.) Superintendent Pope immedi-ately gave the necessary instructions, and I am in hopes that Agent Arny is on his way to Camp Apache before this with the supplies and order to purchase the beef. Before leaving Santa Fe" I telegraphed to you briefly the situation of Indian affairs in New Mexico, ( Appendix A I, No. 12.) The discontent of the Utes referred to in that telegram demands our serious consideration. By the reports of the agents for the last three years, and reports of our board, 1870, page 105, you will find full information on the subject. On my way through Cimmaron, Agent C. F. Roedel earnestly called my attention to their situation, and begged us most earnestly not to overlook them any longer. Both whites and Indians disregard the treaty and consider it a fraud. In company with Superintendent Pope, and John Ward, esq., as interpreter, I left Santa Fe on the 14th instant for Fort Craig, where we arrived on the 16th instant after a hot and fatiguing ride night and day. Major Buffum, commanding Fort Craig, with great kindness fitted us out with a team and ambulance, and the next day, 17th instant, we started for Canada Alamosa, distant forty- two miles southwest. On our arrival at the agency at Canada Alamosa, we found all the Apaches had left the place, ( as I telegraphed to you that day,) frightened away by the threats from the rsiedents at Rio Mimbres, New Mexico, as contained in the resolutions quoted above. ( See Appendix A &, No. 8.) Agent Piper, who is a discreet and able officer, on receiving a copy of those, resolu-tions, together with Judge Hudson's letter, sent to Fort McRae for a detachment of soldiers, who were sent up to the reservation that day. Immediately on the arrival of the soldiers, the Apaches, who are the most scary In-dians I have seen, called upon Agent Piper to know the reason for their coming. It was necessary to tell them, as they have a great dread of the soldiers, having met them for the past eight years only as enemies ; and as soon as Mr. Piper informed them that they came as friends, they were satisfied ; but the news that the people of Rio Mim-bres threatened to attack them, as their friends had been killed at Camp Grant, they were afraid to remain, and that night, Thursday, a week ago, they stampeded to the mountains, where they have remained ever since. The day after our arrival I rode up the valley, and could see hundreds of their wicker wigwams standing, but not an In-dian was to be seen. We sent out runners, and toward night some twenty or thirty came in ; and the day following being Saturday, when the rations are issued, seventy-five or eighty out of twelve hundred were all that could be gathered. Is it not a shame that a few lawless white men can thus be allowed to overturn all the good work of the Government, costing thousands of dollars, and, by their unrestrained conduct, risk the bringing about of a costly war, and jeopardize the lives of hundreds of innocent people ? However, we are not discouraged. All the Apaches who came in were, physically, of a slighter build than any Indians I have seen, but in other respects equal to any. I had a talk with the headmen, and told them of the friendly intentions of the Gov-ernment toward them so long as they remained at peace. None of the chiefs being present, the headmen declined to say anything until their return. The valley of Canada Alamosa ( Cottonwood Valley) is beautiful. A stream of pure spring water, eight feet wide by one foot deep, flowing rapidly through it. Every acre of it is occupied by the Mexicans, who have a town of over three hundred inhabitants in the midst of it. The Indians claim the valley as their own, and will be reluctant to go far from the neighborhood. To attempt to buy out the Mexicans, as has been proposed by some, when there are millions of acres of unoccupied land in the immedi-ate neighborhood, I feel would be preposterous. As the Indians are now in a state of transition, not unlike a swarm of bees seeking for a hive, I shall endeavor, as quickly as possible, to find them another place as near to Canada Alamosa as practicable. For |