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Show 15: in the valley of the White River from its junction with the Green as far east as the boundary lines between Utah and Colorado, and also the lands along the Duchesne River from its junction with the Green up to a point eight miles above the mouth of the Uintah River. After our return to the agency we had a consultation with the chiefs and headmen in reference to their removal. It was difficult to obtain from them an expression of their wishes, except that they were opposed to going to Grand River, and that they were very anxious to be allowed to remain at Ouray's place, near the agency. They were again assured that this was impossible. We informed them that we had decided, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, to locate them in the valleys of the White, Green, and Duchesne Rivers, and requested them to make preparations to move as soon as we could make the necessary arrangements. " It would have been impossible for the commissioners to have spent more than a few days at best in looking for a place for so large a group! Hardly a spot could have been more jarringly different from the high mountain home they were forced to give up. When time Vame to move them, the Uncompahgres were most reluctant; Captain James Parker of the Fourth Cavalry reported: The negotiations dragged on all summer without success. Finally in September the Commission found that their efforts were useless, and notified the Government to that effect. The matter was turned over to the War Department to settle, and Mackenzie was ordered to take such steps as were in his opinion necessary and proper... 19 Ibid., p. 327, |