OCR Text |
Show I 2a REPORT OF THE contain information in detail respecting the managemenf of Indian atfairs on the Coast reservation the past year. The Warm Springs reservation, selected for then& of the Indians of Wddle Oregon, parties to the treaty of June 25, 1855, has been I occupied since 1856. Buildings have been erected and other improve- ! ments made, and success has rewarded the efforts of the Indiana to nrltivate the soil. They were embarrassed by delay in the ratification of their treaty, and their failure to receive the protection of the.troops tha* had been frequently applied for. The Snake Indians, their hereditary enemies, are continually depre-dating upon them, and by their frequent incursions they are kept in constant apprehension. During the absence of thereserve Indians, on ! a hunt, thesnakes .made a descent upon the agency, drove off the cat- ; tle and horses belonging to the government and the Indians ; killed ,i of captu~edth e few women and children ~emaininga t home ; plun-dered the agency, and compelled the.ageht and employ& to flee for safety. Directions were aubeeqnently given the agent to establish his head-qaartera at this reserve. This hejng done, the Indians were induced te retnrn and resume their work in the cultivationof the fields. Their confidence was pa~tiallyre stored, but the Snakes continuing their an-noyances, the superintendent, in June last, attempted to discover their rendetvoua, and, if possible, hold. a, council with them, with a view to induce them to cease their 'continual warfare u on the tribes who are in smity with the United States. He was una! le to find them after mnnoitering nineteen days with a military force,and returned home, leaving the military in the field engaged in opening an emigrant wapn road through the Willamette valley. Two d a p after the su-per~ ntendentle ft the military were attacked by a large body of Sua\res, who, owing to the rugged character of the country, were enabled to escape with little punishment. . Following close upon the returning troops, these adroit and daring savages made asudden attackupon the Warm Gpripgs reservation, and drove off all the stock found there. The snper~ntendent reports that these repeated disasters on this remrvation leave no alternative to its abandonment but the establish-meat of a permanent military post for its protection. These Indians, though known as. 'I Snakes," must not beconfounded with the'f Sho-sho-nees" and " Bannacks," or I' Snakes of t h e l h k y -Mountains." The latter are well mounted, and procure a subsistence by huntmg the buffdo on the headw&ers of the Yellowstone ; while the former are a miserable race, who subsist upon roots and insects, except when snccessful thieving expeditions furnish them better food. The Indians with whom the treaty of June 15, 1855, was concluded are reported as being very tractable in their disposition. The remote distance at which they are located from evil influence$, and the apti-tude evinced by them in the adoption of the dress and forms of civilized life, encourage the hope that they .will make rapid improvement. The protection of the government should not longer be withheld from them. The Umatilla reservation is described as being most admirably adapted to the purposes for which it was selected. Being well watered, containing timber and much fertile. land, and excellent natural pas- |