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Show BEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. LIX of the dam at Lake Wim~ebigoshish at $8,393.30, and at Leech Lake $7,073.60; but the Indians, holding that this assessment was inadequate compensation for the losses and injuries to be sustained, refused to amept any portion thereof. Another Commission, consisting of Gen. H. H. Sibley, ex-Governor W. R. Marshall, of Saint Paul, and Rev. J. A, Gilfillan, missionary at White Earth Reserve, mas appointed De-mmber 22, 1882, and instrncted, on the 9th of January, 1883, to visit-these Indians and make a personal examination of the localities sur-rounding said reservoirs, and review the former valuation with a view to a reassessme.nt, if in its judgment the injury mas greater than the compensation heretofore allowed. This Commission has not yet sub-mitted its report and the snlrject re~nainsin abeyance., while the Indi-ans are patiently awaiting results. INDIAN LANDS IN MINNESOTA RESTORED TO THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. By Executive order dated July 13,1883, tbe Executive addition to the White Earth Reservation, in Minnesota, created by Executive order of March 18, 1879, was restored to the j~ublic domain. The lands were mithdramn from settlement in view of the proposed consolidation of the various bauds of Chippewas in Minnesota upon the White Earth Ilea-erration, in order that there might be a sufficient quantity of land secured for their permanent settlement there. The hope of effecting such consolidation having been aba,ndoned, it was thought best to restore the lands to the mass of the public domain. About thirteen townships are thus opened to white settlement. The lands are north of and adjoining the White Earth Reservation, and between that and the Red Lake Reservation. I DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF INDIANS IN MONTANA. The reduction by Cor~gresso f appropriations for subsistence of the Blackfeet, Blood, and Piegan Indians, and of the 1ndia.11a~t Fort Peck and Fort Bellinap agencies, has already caused a great deal of suffer-ing among these Indians, and is a source of constant and increasing anxiety and embarrassment to this office. It is true that the Indians show a willingness to add to the supplies furnished by the Governmel~t by taking advantage of suc11 facilities for procuring subsistence as their reservations naturally afford or eau he made to yield by cultivation ; stil .lit is clear that, from causes beyonil their control or that of this Bureau, they h a ~ leat ely needed more assistance from the Government, than formerly, as the game upon which they ha.ve depended principally for food and clothing has been gradually diminishing, until it is now nearly extinct, mhile repeated trials have shown that successful ftbrmiug on these reservations would be impossible, even to whites, without the necessary irrigating ditches, fences, stock, kc., and for such porposes no funds have been supplied. |
