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Show INDIAN AFFAIRS. 37$ One cncourn-' in.' feature among the unpleasant ones connected with this people is the fact that venereal diseases are almost unknown, and prostitution . with outsiders isverv unusual, especially among the Mcscaleros. _ . • In regard to the school located at this agency, it is my opinion that the buildings are rather small and need some slight changes in order that sufficient ventilation for the sleep,!)"- rooms mav be secured. It is my opinion that some kind of a hospital should be constructed here, if only a good large tent. With a reservation m which the climate is almost unequaled for hcaltbfulness, and on which there is an abun-dauce of pure water, this people still remain a long way removed from good sanitary '" Respectfully, HOWARD THOMPSON, M. D., Agency Physician. W. H. II. LLEWELLYN, United States Indian Agent. CONCLUDING REMARKS. From mv experience and personal knowledge of these Indians, I am firmly satisfied that notwithstanding the rapid progress they have made in the direction of civilization'and self- support during the past few years, they require a still firmer and stronger management. It should not be, as some sentimental people think, what the Indian-wants" but should be what is best for him. I am in favor of the entire disarmament of all wild Indian tribes, and immediate abolishment of the present agency system, the patenting of their lands to them, compulsory education andlabor, and full citizenship at an early date. It is, however, useless to take their arms from them until Congress has passed a law making it a penal offense, puuishable by a long term of - years' imprisonment, to sell or give them arms. The Apaches, from the very nature of things, and from their years of warfare with the Spaniards and their descendants,, are a" restless and wily people. Their mode of warfare is the most treacherous known. to the civilized world. Their rapidity of movement and cunning in warfare, is without an equal, and yet it is my experience that when you have once gained their confidence and friendship their loyalty and fidelity is unsurpassed. . . • I have the honor to he, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. H. II. LLEWELLYN, United States Indian Agent* The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. NAVAJO AGENCY, August 31, 1885. SIR- In compliance with instructions from your office, I have the honor to submit herewith mv second annual report of affairs at this agency. Having now been here Ion"- enough to familiarize myself to some extent with the ways aud customs ot this-tribe as well as with their reservation and surroundings, I am able to render you a more.' intelligible and complete report than the one I submitted to you last year. The year past has been a prosperous and eventful one to this tribe. They have been as a rule healthy ; have been wholly exempt from any epidemic diseases. Their Hocks and herds have increased as much as could havo been expected. They gathered a fair crop of corn last fall, and havo nothing in particular to complain ot. It is true that the grasshoppers have dono some damage to the crops now growing, but still few- of them will suffer for food on this account. They will divide around, and those that havo will share with those less fortunate. Notwithstanding the disreputable conduct of their neighbors on either side- the Apaches on the south and the Utes on tho north- the Navajocs have remained quiet and peaceable during the year. It is notovon claimed by anyone that a single one of them has participated in any of these acts of lawlessness. I know that they have been informed of these outbreaks, havo been importuned to join in thein, and 1 am frank to admit that good reasons could be given them for doing so but these Indians had all the war they wanted several years ago and got too thoroughly whipped to want anv more very soon. Besides, they have too much at stake. It is hard for one who has but recently become acquainted with this tribe to realize that thev are the same Indians Who only a few years ago terrorized and annually rounded up the whole valley of the Rio Grande from old Mexico to its bed, carried oft its settlers into slavery, and took stock wholesale. The same tribo furnished much ot the nehtiue employment for Kit Carson and his colleagues. Of course there aro a few desperate men among them, who, if unrestrained by the others, would be ready tor almost any enterprise ; but tho average Navajo of to- day is about as peaceable and non-combatLve as the sheep which they herd ( goats not included), and about as unlikely |
