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Show them, containing 872 scholars-a larger proportion of scholars to the total popn-lation than obtains in most white communities. The health of the people has generally been good du~inxth e pnst year, and in spite of the ravages of small-pox among the Tonawandas, by which 44 ' persons d i d , the aggregate number of births in the agency bas esceeded the deaths. The Tonawandas are very anxious for the estahliqhment of a ~nanonl labor hoarding school, and have asked the State of New York for aid fnr the purpose, promising, upon their part, to provide fifty acres of 1d11d and 93,000 fiom their funds for such a school. I t is to he h o ~ e dt hat the"v may, be successful in their efforts. The agent returns the individual wealth of the NemYork Indians at $310,000, hut I doubt, whether the whites could bay their stock, personal property, and improvements to-day for a much greater sum. The New York Indians have been, from time to time, pressing npon the gov-ernment the settlement of a claim to a large amonheaboul 500,000 acres-of land in Kansas, which was secured to them npon the ce-sion to the United State8 of tl~eirr ights to land in Wisconsin. Very few of the Indians removed to ICansas; and after inng delay action was taken by the department, some years ago, by which these Indian lands were thrown open to white settlement. I t is my opinion that the Indians have a valid claim against the govenlment arising out of this transaction; but when the case came up during the past year it was not deemed advisable to undertake departmentnl action. I trust that Congress will, by legielation, provide for an equitable settlement of this claim. STATISTICS. Preparing this report at, an earlier day than usual, I am unable to present a summary, drawn from the statistical tables fitmished by the superintendents and agents, showing the aggregate amount of the products of industry, individt~al ' wealth, scl~oolo,p opulation, &c.; but these tables, as rapidly as they arrive, are being digested, m~ dth e annual tablea will be carefiilly made up and corrected in time for publication as usual with the accompanying documents. So far as any judgment can he formed from the figures already at hand, the operations of the year have been unusually successful, and the progress of the Indians, in many cases, towards civilization very satisfactory. Carefully prepared tables will also show the amount of trust funds held by the depastment for the various tribes in detail, as well as the transactions in reference to the sales and payments for Indian lands during the year. CONCLUSION. 1T.lvitlg iI1113 prc~(:nieda grutml sulnrtnry of tvl:ui: connecrcd wit11 the Tnclii~~i avrricl: during II!P ~ , . I S Iy ear, wirtr soch rer~mn~ratl;ttioriltrs 1 llarr deemed nll-vi~ nblef ur ir imorovemerfir, 1 have IIILIY1 0 close this 101' ?ec~ndan d last ~ruttliil report with the remark, that it has bee; my earnest deiire, siuce taking charge of the bureau, so to conduct its operations that they might prore of reid belletit to the intexeeting people whose interests are involved, aud hy expressing a cou-fident hope that these efforts, in spite of the many obetacles to complete soccees, will be found to have availed to 8on:e extent for their g-o od. Respectfully sitbmitted : D. S. COOLEY. Hon. 0. II. BR~\VSISG, Secretary of the Interior. |