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Show 10 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. able and deplorable, as to render its acquisition a inisfo1'tune, and its poc session a reproach to the Government. To remedy these evils, liberal ap-propriations of money, and a more vigorous and untrammelled exercise of aiithority by the civil officers of the Territory, are indispensable. The usefulness of the agents in New Mexico has been seriously im-paired by their failure to obtain from the military the usual facilities. Without the means of transportation, and the escorte necessary to enable them to penetrate the Indian country with safety, it has been impossible for them to go nrhere their presence \\.a3 tun31 nerded, and thp goo(i of the service reqtnred. It is alwavs to br dr3ired that the utmost hnrmonv ;uid concert of -action should preGail among the various officers and agints of the Government in any way entrusted with the management of our Indian affairs; and to this end it has been enjoined on the officers of the army, and the agents of this Department in New Mexico, to consult together and co-operate in all their movements. Unhappily, however, this desirable object has not been fnlly secured; nor can it be, 1 apprehend, until the Governor of the Territory shall be in fact, what he is in name, Superin-dent of Indian Affairs. Pursuant to the provisions of a late act of Congress, an agent has been appointed for the Indians in Utah; and that full justice should be done to the people of that Territory, and our Indian relations therein he placed upon a proper footing, the discretionary power vested by law in the De-partment has been exercised by the appointillent, also; of two sub-agents for said Indians. A delegation of the Shoshonees, or Snake Indians, a disaffected and mischievous tribe, infesting one of the principal routes of - travel to Oregon and California, was conducted by the agent to the Grand Council, recently held at Fort Larainie, with the mild tribes of the prai-ries. These Indians were not considered by the superintendent as em-braced in his instructions, and were, consequently, not parties to the treaty negotiated with the other tribes. The delegation, however, were kindly received, suitable presents were bestowed upon them, and they returned to their people with more friendly feelings towards the Government and the whites. No other information of any importance has been received at this office concerning the Indians in Utah. The treaties recently concluded by Superintendent Ramsey with the Chippewas, at Pembina, and by Superintendent Mitchell and Agent Fitz-patrick with the wild tribes of the prairies at Fort Laramie, came to hand at so late a period as to afford but little time for considering their provi-sions; but they are fully explained in the accompanying reports of the commissioners, who, doubtless, have discharged with fidelity and ability the arduous and important duties imposed upon them. No material change bas taken place in our relations with the Indians in I Texas. They remain in the same embarrassed and perplexed condition I that has characterized them for several years past; and they must continue so, until the anomalous position in which the Government is placed in 1 regard to them be essentially changed. In the last annual report it was recommended that cominissioners be anminted to confer with the urouer A , atrthoritics of 'l'exna on this subject, with a view to nu nrrangem;ntior ... 1 placinz the indianr- in ihat State under tlie exclusive control #,ftlle General I GoveGment. The recommendation is now earnestly renewed; for, until this measure is effected, it is vain to expect that Indian affairs m that State can be placed on a wtisfaotory footing. The nnmber of these Indians, |
