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Show . REPORT OF TUlE COMXISBIONER OF I N D I N AFFAIRS. 9 The Yakama reservation, nnder charge of Agent Wilbur, is an illnshation of what may be done under favorable circumslances by an etlicient agent, to-wards the real, permanent benefit of the Indians. The early history of this re-servation does not iudicate on the part of former employ68 of the government such conduct as would entitle them to a diploma for honesty and integrity, if the facts are as stated in Agent Wilbur's report; but at present tlre Indians appear to be making rapid progress in every essential element of civilization nnder the system adopted, by which every employ6 is conscientiously devoted to his work. The reservation is favorably situated in the southern part of the Ter~itory, on the east side of the Cascade range of mountains, and isquite ex-tensive, fertile, and enjoys a mild and healthy climate. Bnildings of thevarious kinds necessary for agency purposes are provided, of good character, and the mills are kept in good repair. On the agency farm 100 acres were under cnl-tivation, though with fears of a light crop on account of drought. Only one white Sirhler is employed, the compensation providy3 for the other being used in hiring Indian labor. The school farm has eigBty acres nnder fence, and thirty acres cultivated by the Indian boys and young men of the school; the total average attendance at the school being twenty-nine, male and female. Par-ticular attention is paid to teaching the boys trades, and the girls the arts of housewifer.v. and to such advantam that the results of their labor in the mann- ~ facture of shoes, harness, clothing, &c., and in the sale of farm produce, has amounted to over $1,500, besides their own subsistence. Besides this, the Indiana themselves cultivate over two thousand acres of land, and are becomine inde-pendent in every respect. It is as gratifying as it is uncommon to be ible to rscord thus the complete success of an Indian agency, where every feature of its annual report is favorable, no complaints are made, and no changes asked for. In reference to the remaining Indians of the Tenitory who have heretofore been under the general charge of the commanding officer at Fort Oolville, in the northeast, but to whom Mr. George Paige was sent as special agent, some gene-ral information is given in Mr. Paige's report. The Spokanes are the most im-portant tribe, as well in number as in character. Their cbiefs speak English well, and the people raise very fair crope here and there, but spend much of their time in fisbing. They are 8 self-sustaining people, jealous of their rights, and for the most part disinclined to any treaty involving a relinquishment of territorial rights. Their country, however, is being traversed by the inevitable gold-seekers, and unpleasant collisions, arising from the reckless and unscrupu- Ions manner in which the property aud rights of Indians are trampled upon by the whites will doubtless compel a resort to the usual plan of reservation and concentration. The Indians about Fort Colville are well disposed and quite intelligent, and there is a good account also of the Fend d'oreilles, west of the Bitter Root mountains; but the Okinakanes are re resented as a vagabond, thieving raee, living partly across the British line, an! making much trouble by robbing settlers or travellers, and then escaping acroes the border with their plunder. ORBOON. The annual summary from this important superintendency did not reach this office until the moment of closing this report, and too late to allow of any digest being made of its contents. I t will be found, with the reports of the several 'agents, in an appendix to the accompanying docnments. We have at hand no accurate statistics of the present population of the In-dians of Oregon. There are four agents and two sub-agents in service in the State, having charge of the Indians gathered upon several reservations, to wit: Umatilla reservation, in northeast Oregon; agent, Barnhart; the Cayuses, Walla.wallas, and other small tribe@;t otal number on and near the reservation, |
