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Show I 4 REPORT OF THE 1 the hostile and bloody collisions between them, heretofore of so fer-qnent occurrence. The agent appointed for the Blackfeet and other wild tribes in their region of countrv accom~aniedth e exuedition sent UD the Mis-souri rGer to hold a: councif with those 'Indians, and, Lt the last accounts, had reached his destination at Fort Benton. The Indians of the Upper Missouri agency consist of eight different bands of the Sioux or Dacotah tribe ; the Gros Ventres of the Mis-souri; the Mandans; the Arickarees; the Assinaboines, and the Crows. They claim, and partially occupy, an immense region of country between the Platte and Missonri rivers, which is said to be generally of a desert and sterile character. Some of them cultivate small patches of arable land, where they can find it; but their sub-sistence is derived chiefly from the chase and from roots, and a few species of wild fruits and berries found in that region. The supplies thus obtained are so scanty that they are frequently reduced to ex-treme destitution, and even starvation; and it is difficult to perceive how they are to exist, ilnless some arrangement can be made by which resources of sustenance can he developed for them, or it is supplied to them directly by the government. In regard to the Indians within the Upper Platte agency, and the judicious plans proposed to be adopted by the agent, to separate and sever the friendly from the hostile bands, as well as the disposition of the Indians in that region toward the United States-almost all of whom ikis re resented desire the good will of the government--I refer for detai? s' t o the accompanying reports of Agent Twiss. The country above the Ayoway not being satisfactory to the Omaha Indians, and in the judgment of the department, under the circum-stances, not suitable for them, they were assigned a reservation for a permanent home at the "Blackbird Hills," in Nebranka Territory, to which they removed in the month of May laat. While on their way to the plains on the summer hunt, a party of Sioux attacked them, and, among others, killed Fontenelle, the principal chief. The Omahas fled towards the Missouri, and have since been unwilling to return to their reservation. In view of all the circumstances, their agent has been instructed to permit them to remain in a suitable loca-tion, west of Bellvue, until next spring ; but to impress upon them the absolute necessity of a return at that time to their reservation. Arrangements have been made for the erection of school buildings, the breaking of land, and other improvements, on their reserve ; and a saw-mill will be erected thereon next season, and all needful steps taken to place within the reach of these Indians the advantages of all the liberal p.ro visions made by treaty for their improvement and wm-fort. The Ottoes and Missourias, although satisfi'ed with the tribal home provided for them on the Big Blue, have manifested, nevertheless, an unwillingness to abandon their old haunts on the Missouri river. They have, however, partially emigrated to their reserve, and the necessary steps have been taken to erect school buildings theteon, and to make all the improvements provided to be made by the recent treaty with those Indians. The educational interests of these bands, |