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Show 148 UTAH SUPERINTENDENCY. In this connexion I would respectfully refer you to my letter of the 7th of last December, my observatiou and experience for the year having con-firmed me in the views therein set forth, as to the proper plan for the con-centration and settlement of the Indians of Utah. As to the detail of the progress of the improvements made on the reser-vation, the report of Agent Kinney, when it is received, will probably give the desired information. The expedition for Uintah valley under his charge met with many obstacles in reaching the point of destination, for want of a suitable road. When I reached the Uintah, on the 18th of August, I found them encamped at the point where I advised them to make the location of the agency. It is a beautiful valley, near the centre of the reservation, containing, np and down the river, enough arable land for all the Indiirns in Otah-easily i r r i~a t eda, warm and genial climate, surrounded by bills covered with cedars, and having an abundance of grass. The only thing wanting was sawed timber, which cannot, however, he obtained in any, place combining the other advantages of soil, climate, grazing, &c. On the 29th of June I reported my progress in carrying out the instruc-tions of the department in making treaties with the Utah Indians. I expect to start on a tour through the southern portion of the Territory on Monday next, the 11th instant, to visit the different hands of Indians in that section for the purpose of submitting to them the Spanish Fork treaty, and procur-ing their assent to its provisions. On my return to the office, which I expect will he by the 10th of October, I can make such further report as may be required for your information. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 0. H. IRISH, S"p"'ntendent ofhdian Afairs. Eon. D. N. COOLEY, Commissionw of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. No. 29. DEPAE~CEOFX TTEE INTERIOR, O-f ice of Indian A-ff airs, March 28, 1865. SIR: I herewith transmit a copy of an act of Congress appmved February 23d ultimo, entitled "An act to extinguieh the Indian title to lands in the Territory of Utah suitable for agricultural and mineral purposes." In regard to the oontemplated treaties, while the law requires that all Indian treaties shall be negotiated by officers and agents of the department, I deem it very desirable that you should avail yourself of the information in possession of Governor Doty, ex-Governor Young, and other o5cers of the Territory, and citizens of long residence tberein. The territorial officers will doubtless take pleasure in co-operating with you unofficially. In view of the fact that Congress has already, by act approved May 5, 1864, designated the Uintah valley as a reservation for the Iudians of Utah, (instructions in regard to carrying that lawinto effect haviugalready been forwarded to you,) it is deemed proper that in the negotiations now contemplated, reference should be had tu the policy of establishing the various tribes upon the Uintah reservation, and to the expenditure in that locality of whatever sums for their benefit the stipulations may provide for ; and that, so far as is practicable, the policy indicated in that law may be kept steadily in view. It is not iutended, however, to restrict you to that locality, should it he found wholly impracticable, in the case of any of the tribes, to place them upon it, or incompatible with the real interests of the Iudians or the government to do so. |