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Show XL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. sncceeded as well as they had expected, for the commanding officer, on February 16, reports only 39 Hot Spring Apaches as having surrendered. with Victoria as plrisoner of war, all of whom reiterated their determina-tion to resist to the death any removal to San Carlos. It was then deoided to remove the band' to Mescalero, but they de-clired themelves as bitterly opposed to Mescalero as to San Carlos, and on the 15th of April last the whole party again escaped to the San Mateo Moi~ntaius. On the 30th of June, Victoria, with thirteen men, came into Mescalero Agency and had a conference with the agent, who endeavored to remove their.con&ant fear of being sent to San Carlos, and iwsured them' of protection and kind treatment if they would come to Wescalero and stay there. The band, numbering 28, accordingly came on the reserve and mere enrolled among the other Southern Apaches at the agency. The purpose of these Indians to settle down and re'main quietly at Mescalera seemed so sincere, that, at their earnest request, arrangements were made for bringing to them from San Carlos their wives and chil-dren, from whom the^ had long been separated. In July last, three indictments were found against Victoria in Grant County, Xew Mexico, two for horse-stealing and one for murder, but no attempt seems to have been made on the part of the authorities to arrest him. The Indians, however, were aware of these indictments, and when a few dayslatera huntingparty, whichiucludeda, judge and a' prosecuting attorney, passed through the Mescalero Reservation, the Indians, who were well acqukinted with the official position of those gentlemen, believed the visit to be a preliminary step to the arrest of , Victoria, and possibly of his whole band. The band, therefore, suddenly left the reserrat.ion, taking with them all the other Southern Apaches They went west, and began again their old life of marauding, and though promptly followed up by the military, who have chased them across the line into old Mexico, their raid has caused much destruction both of life and property. I JOSEPH'S BAND OF NEZ PERUAS. The unfortunate band of Nee P e d s under Joseph have finally found a resting-place 15 miles west of the Ponca Agency in the Indian Terri-tory. They are located at the junction of the Shakaskia River and the Salt Fork. The country is snfficiently well wooded, and the land is of the best quality. The agent is engaged in putting up agency buildings and houses for the Indians. Yellow Bear, the second chief, shqws a very good disposition, and is actively at work doing all he can to pro-mote the welfare of his band. The health of the tribe is greatly improved, and it is hoped that they will now settle down and become contented. They have been si~pplied witl! wagons, agricultaral implements, and horses, and cows hare also been provided for them. |