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Show The precise objects of your negotiations are set forth in the bill which is as follows: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized and empowered to enter into negotiations with the Ute Indians in the State of Colorado, for the consolidation of all the bands into one agency, for the extinguishment of their right to the southern portion of their reservation in said state, and to report his proceedings under this act to Congress for its consideration and approval. It is the desire of the department to allow you the largest latitude in conducting your negotiations. You will therefore take the act as your guide, and make such an agreement with the Utes as you may be able and may consider to the best interest of the government and the Indians. Any arrangement of agreement entered into with said Indians for the cession of any portion of their reservation, should be executed and signed by at least three- fourths of the adult male Indians occupying or interested in the same; and in every instance the assent and concurrence of at least a majority of each and every band of said Ute Indians, is requisite to give validity to the results attained through your negotiation. To avoid any possible difficulty or misunderstanding in the future, you are instructed to make every effort and use every reasonable inducement to secure unanimity on the part of the Indians in the approval of any cession for agreement that may be made. Particular care will be exercised in selecting a location for the future settlement of these Indians, to secure a sufficient quantity of arable land to enable them to become, by agricultural pursuits, a self- supporting people. You are instructed to thoroughly impress upon the minds of the Indians the fact that any agreement entered into by them, will be binding only upon its ratification by Congress. 26 With this set of rather complete instructions, the commission organized itself on July 30, 1878, at Manitou, Colorado. Edward Hatch was designated chairman with William I. Stickney, secretary. Before the negotiations could be held, it became necessary to replace Stickney with Lot M. Morrill after Stickney became ill with " indisposition" and it was deemed best he not make the tour of the three Ute agencies. 27 From Manitou the commission proceeded to Alamosa, Colorado, by Denver and Rio Grande railroad and on to the Southern Ute Agency. Shortly after crossing the continental divide the party met the Muache LItes who were just being moved from the Cimarron Agency. The person in charge, Col. E. C. Watkins, agreed to join the commission and act as a guide to the Southern Lite Agency. The commission considered the addition of Watkins important since he knew the San Juan area well and could direct them to the agency. In addition, the commission secured the services of Col. Albert II. Pfeiffer as interpreter. This too was considered a valuable aid to the commission, for Pfeiffer was well known by the Ute people, could speak their language, and would be well received and trusted by their leaders. 28 Both men were of immediate service to the commission, as it was necessary to convince the Muache people that they should join the scheduled conference at the 26. U. S., Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Affairs, Report of the Commission Appointed under Act Dated May j. 1878. National Archives, Indian Record, Record Group 75, Special Case No. 105. p. 1- 5 27. Ibid., p. 6. 28 Ibid . pp. 6- 7 - 11- |