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Show I COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 11 I longer desirable for the purposes for which they were established. Were it pos-sible to rid them of the presence of white settlers, I should still favor theiraban-donment, for the reason that the country immediately adjaceut is occupied by whites. The constant collisions that have occurred between the two races since the settlement of the State by the whites, and the measures of retaliation adopted by each, have engendered such a feeling of hostility and vindictiveness as to render it in the highest degree improbable that the Indians,would be per-mitted to live in peace upon these reservations, however much they might he disposed so to do. In obedience to a resolution passed at the second session of the thirty-seventh Congress, inquiries were instituted as to the propriety of reducing the number of Indian reservations within this State, the proper locations for such as might be retained, kc. The result of tbis investigation was such as to induce me in making my last annnal report to strongly recommend the enlargement of the Round Valley reservation, and the establishment of another at Smith's river. The reservation at Round Valley, could it be enlarge4 in the manner then re-commended, and all the white settlers removed therefrom, would in my opinion become by far the most eligible location for Indian purposes within the limits of the northorn district. It is in the interior of the State; it is not adjacent to the mineral regions. Enlarged in the manner proposed, it would he so completely shut in by mountains as to be almost inaccessible; its area would be ample for the accommodation of all the Indiaus in the interior and northern portions of the State. Its climate is delightful and healthy. I t has some six or eight thousand acres of arable laud; is well watered and timbered. The three forks of Eel river would supply an abundance of fish, and the adjaceut mountainous regions would furnish the ('hunting grounds" so essential to the wants of the Indian while uncivilized. The only objection to the immediate enlargement of this reservation and its occupation by the Indians is the presence of white settlers, many of whom have doubtless just and equitable titles to the homes they have acquired. From information derived through late Superintending AgentHanson, I have no doubt that snchof the settlers as have just titles to their claims could be indnced to sell the same to the government upon fair terms ; nor have I any doubts that the purchase of these claims, the enlargement of this reservation as suggested, and the removal therefrom of all whites, except such as are required to conduct the official business of the government with the Indians, is a part of the only feasible plan which has yet been suggested for reducing our relations with the Indians of California to an economical and satisfactory system. I regard it as essential to a proper location of the Indians of the northem district that there should be two reservations, one to be located in the interior, and the other upon the Pacific coast. I t is said to be a fact, notorious to allob-servers, that Indians reared in the interior, and accustomed from childhood to its products, cannot be induced to remain upon the coast; and that those raised on the coast, and accustolqed to sea-fish and weed, cannot be induced to remain in the interior. For the former, Round Valley is a suitable home; and for the latter, Smith River valleg, or some other location, should be had. Smith River valley is in the extreme northwest corner of the State ; on its |
