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Show REPORT OF THE BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. 59 belonged to the band which usually reported to Liin, to feed them under the President's order. At Ehreulu- rg I met Dr. J. A. Tonner, agent for the Mohave Apaches, on the Colorado River, who reported everything peaceable and progressing hopefully at his agency. Ife said lie would take care of the Indians at Ceilings ranch, and remonstrate with Iraytabe at his inhospitality. He earnestly asks for help in the establishing of schools, and reported the children eager to learn. Arriving at Los Angeles on the 13th of October, I regretted that my time would: not allow me the pleasure of calling npon General Stouemau, at Wilmington, as his position as former commander of the department of Arizona would enable him to give mo much information on Indian affairs. I addressed him a note, however, and on my arrival at San Francisco, October 19, I received a very kind reply from the general, accompanied with a copy of his final report on Arizona. AT SAX FKANCISCO. General Schofield was glad to see me. The many exaggerated reports in the newspa-pers of the " cross- purposes between General Crook and the peace commissioner," had made him desirous to learn the truth. When he ascertained that instead of placing the Indians on the reservation - which I had selected, " under the care of the proper officers of the Indian Department," as I had been directed to do in my instructions from the Secretary of the Interior, I had availed myself of the clause which allowed me " fall power to use my best discretion," and I had left the whole business under the supervision of General Crook and the officers of the Army. I believe he was satisfied that the " cross- purposes" only existed in the imagination of a few worthy people in Arizona, and those whom they have misled. ( Appendix A &, No. 25.) I arrived in Washington on October 27, and made my verbal report to the Presi-dent in the presence of the Secretary of the Interior and' Secretary of War, on the Oth of November. By direction of the President, on the following day I made a brief report, in writing, to the Hon. Secretary of the Interior, giving a description of the reserva-tions selected in New Mexico and Arizona, ( see Appendix A fc, No. 15,) which was inclosed to the President by the Secretary of the Interior, with an indorsement recommending that " in pursuance of the understanding arrived at in our conversation with the Secre-tary of War on the 6th instant, that the President issue an order authorizing said tracts of country described in Mr. Coder's letter to be regarded as reservations for the settle-ment of the Indians until it is otherwise ordered. I have the honor also to suggest that proper officers of the War Department be directed to notify the various bands of roving Apaches that they are required to locate upon the reservations immediately, and that upon so doing they will be fully protected and provided for by the Government so long as they remain on said reservations, and preserve peaceable relations with the Government, each other, and the white people, and that unless they comply with the request they will not be thus provided for and protected." ( See Appendix A &, No. 26.) These recommendations were approved by the President, transmitted to the Secre-tary of War, and, under General Sherman's orders, were directed to be carried into execution by Lieutenant General Sheridan and Major General Schofield, commanding the division" of the Missouri and Pacific. ( See Appendix A &, No. 27.) APACHE INDIANS COMING IN. Late advices from the agents and Army officers in charge of the Apache Indiap reservations established in New Mexico and Arizona, under the President's order, state that the roving Apaches have come in in large numbers. There are now reported to beat Canada Alamosa nineteen hundred ; Camp Apache, Arizona Territory, thirteen hundred ; Camp Grant, Arizona Territory, nine hundred ; Camp Verde. Arizona Ter-ritory, five hundred ; Camp McDowell, Arizona Territory, one hundred total four thousand seven hundred. No reports have been received at this office from the feeding stations temporarily established until the reservations can bo selected, at Camp HuaJapas and Camp Date Creek, where there are probably one thousand more. Without counting these there are more than one- half of all the roving Apaches of these Territories now at peace and within call, reaping the benefit of the " peace policy." Of the complaints made by the officials and editors of Arizoua of my want of courtesy in not accepting their generous hospitalities, as well as of the threats so freely made to " mob," " lynch me," " Jiang me in effigy," " stone me to death" as a " thief," " robber," " murderer,"'" red- handed assassin," & o.", and abuse generally of the press of Arizona and elsewhere, I have taken little notice, as the business upon which I was sent to Arizona and New Mexico was successfully accomplished, has received the approbation: of the administration and I trust to time" and the good results which I believe will follow as my vindication. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, VINCENT COLYER. |