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Show 149 Mr. Berry, agent of the Uncompahgres, Chiefs Sapavanaro and Guero, with three of their headmen, were to go with us; but the first night out three of the Indians lost their horses and the two chiefs above named were the only Indians who remained with us. We found the Gunnison and Grand Rivers too high for fording, and another delay of several days occurred before ferry boats could be made ready for our crossing. We examined the land on the Grand River near the mouth of the Gunnison, and found it to be, in our opinion, unsuitable for the Indians for agricultural or grazing purposes. Nothing could be accomplished here in agriculture without irrigation, and the water for that purpose would have to be taken from the Grand River. The banks on the south side of this stream are from 75 to 100 feet in height, and while an irrigating ditch could be made it would be very expensive and of such a character as to require the most experienced labor to use it with any degree of success. The land on the north side of the river could be more easily irrigated and cultivated, but there is not a sufficient quantity which could be made useful by these Indians to give them the amount required by law. Much of the soil between the Grand River and the Roan Plateau is very sandy and could never by made useful for grazing or cultivation. There is no other land suitable for agricultural purposes within a reasonable distance which could be used in connection with that near the mouth of the Gunnison, and give the Indians the quantity contemplated. The land in this locality which could be made useful for grazing, and especially winter grazing, is altogether too limited in quantity to comply with the provisions of the law or supply the wants of this band of Indians. The two chiefs who were with us and many others of their tribe who had been^-in this locality, were very decided in their opposition to the selection of the lands in this valley. Our examination here having satisfied us that there was not enough land in that vicinity |
