OCR Text |
Show . I have in former communications to the Department given my views on this subject; they remain unchanged. I hope, however, before another year shall have paased, to be prepared to recommend plans for their more rapid enlightenment and civilization. Some progress hasbeen made by these Indians, during the present year, inagricultural pursuits, I am thoroughly convinced, notwithstanding the former glowing reports, that these Indians have a better prospect for a crop this fall than they ever had on this reservation. ~ ~ Their mealtli consists priucipnlly in horacsor ponies, cattle, and goats. For their 11111nbe;rr ~~es{tlil uated value, as well nu a~~iouanutd value of their crops, I refer sou to my statistical report. There has been considerable sickness and a; few deaths.. Most of the sickness is pulmonary, and that which results from exposure and want of proper shelter and clothing. Some venereal diseases exist among them also, especially anlong those who spend much of their time in the . settlement,^. They frequently apply for medicine; consequently I am compelled to keep a supply of simple renied~eso n Baud. There should he a resident physician for the benefit of the Indiaus and employ6s, inasmuch as it is utterly impracticable to procure one in cases of emergency. I wo~ild therefore recommend an appropriation for this object. Suffer me, in conclusiou, to respectfull1 submit my views with regard to the future conduct of thls agency, and the best mode, in my judg-ment, of carrying out the beuevolenk designs of. the @overn~nent towa.id the Indians of t,l~isT erritory. The looation of this a.gency and. its.adaptation to farming and grazing purposes is, perhaps, as good as could be selected in this Territory; and the very first object of the Government, and to the accomplishment of which the agent should direct all his energies, is the putting of it into a self-supporting condition. In order to acoomplisb this, much time, labor, and means will berequisite. The policy of the Government in setting 'part this reservation, away from the corrupting influence of unprincipled white men, and est,ablish-ing an agency upon it for t,he exclusive benefit of all the Indians of the Territory, is, in my judgment, eminently wise and humane. But in. order that this policy may produce the results designed, something ulore than the mere wiatence of this agency is necessary ; it must have a vig-orous life infused into it-bone, sinew and muscle-to eua.ble it to resist storms and difficulties, and work out the end designed ; a genial warmth nrd attractiveness that will draw the Indians to arid retain them.u~on &-land must be cleared and fenced, permanent ditches constru&ed, suitable houses erected for all those whwdesire them and will consent to occupy them; orchards of fruit, ada,pted to the climate? must be planted, and every fscilityoffered and inducement held out to t,hem to engage in agricultural pursuits, and give up their idle and roving hab-its. In addition, as soon as deemed expedient, schools aua missions should be established for their intellectual and moral trainlug. I t is frequently said, and not unfrequently by interested persous, that the Indians will never go to the reservation-they will not leave the graves of their. ancestors. This' will do in romances, but, in point of fact, it is not true; they have frequently been induced to give up all and remove to new homes. In ms intercourse with Indians, I find they act from motive as others do; and whenever a stronger mbtive is pre-sented, they act upon it. Make this apenor a home for the red men of this Territory, not those of romance; dGgr<ded, it is true, y!t possessing, to a limited degree, some of the finer instincts and alTechons of our common nature; clothe it with all zhose attractions which make that spot and name so dear to |