Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs Accompanying the Annual Report of the Secretary of the Interior for the Year 1857

Excerpts concerning Utah from the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs - Courtesy of the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections. The Commissioner of Indian Affairs expresses his disapproval for the per capita system of payment, claiming it reduces the significance of the role of the chief and threatens to destroy the Indians' sense of respect for organized government. Reports from the Utah Superintendency claim that the Mormon missionaries in Utah are purposefully attempting to prejudice the Indians against the U.S. government. Agent George Armstrong reports significant improvements in farming. Brigham Young reports conflict with the Shoshone and suggests to the federal government, "...it is cheaper to feed the Indians than to fight them"