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Show COMMISSIONER O\F INDIAN AFFAIRS. 15 vated ; and at the latter, two hundred acres. The Indians have made considerable progress in building houses, and making other improve-ments, and have advanced in their moral and social condition. Whis-key has, by great vigilance on the part of the agents and the military and State authorities, been kept entirely away ; and in every point of view the enterprise, in its present state and future prospects, is more encouraging than its most sanguine friends had anticipated. The forays and depredations occurring last spring on the confines of Texas, were not, it is said, to he traced to the indigenous tribes of that State, but were committed entirely by Indians that had not any connexion with the reserves. The chastisement of some of these pre-datory bands has hauuil"v been succeeded b.y a ueriod of unusual A quiet"and peace. The flattering success in Texas, gives promise that, by a similar policy, thesouthern Comanches, Wichetaws and other wanderingbauds near the northern frontier of that State, may be successfully colonized on the western end of the Choctaw countrv. for which urovision was made by the treaty of ~ u n 2e2 , 1855, between the ~ n i i e dSt ates and the Choctaws and Chickasaws. It will be expedient to take early steps to set off the western end of the Choctaw country, and an ap-propriation will be necessary to consummate the arrangement for the location and colonization of these Indians after the survey is com-pleted. An amount deemed adequate has been estimated for, and will no doubt be placed by Congress st the disposal of the department. The depredations committed by the Indians of New Mexico have been less serious this than for any one of several preceding years. The Dlimbres Apaches have remained peaceable and are cnltivatlng the soil. The Mescalero Apaches are charged with committing depre-dations, and it is not deemed practicable to work a change in their habits withont the advantages of a permanent home. The Gila Apaches have not made any improvement. They live chiefly by the chase, and occasionally commit robberies. The Jicarilla Apaches have been furnished with provisions and agricultural implements, which have enabled them to live in comparative comfort. They de-sire to be located in permanent homes. These Indians have been charged with robberies and murders, but the soperintendent expresses the opinion that they are not guilty. The Utahs are quietly awaiting the ratification of the treaties concluded with them, and will com-mence farming whenever permanens homes are assigned them. The Navajoes cultivate the soil and are improving in their condition. This tribe has made partial reparation for the thefts and murders committed by a few bad men among them, by remunerating, accord-ing to their ability, the owners for the property stolen, and a promise to make good the remainder. The pueblo Indians maintain their character as peaceable, industrious communities. Some of them have lost the title-papers for the grants of land obtained by them from Spain and Mexico. In such cases their agent has taken testimony in their behalf. They deserve the fostering care of the government, and Congress will no doubt confirm their titles. About five thousand Indians are embraced within the Gadsden purchase. They are mostly pueblos and reside in six different villages. They have houses and |