OCR Text |
Show sidered to be applicable to the former Uintah reservation, it v/ould apparently not be neoeonary for the Indians to use tho water in order to protect their righto; but unless this deoision should be subsequently deemed applicable I do not see how we oan fail to lose a considerable proportion of the appropriations which were made on behalf of the Ute Indians. If you have any idea of a plan whereby it oan be dono otherwise, please outline it to me in a letter, for I certainly do not have at this end of the line, it would not be fair to the State of Utah to keep these waters locked up indefinitely in tho hope that at some future time, say from twenty to forty years hence, the Indians might be in a position to make use of the same. With the advent of a railroad into the country, it is altogether probable that you would be able to lease and sell a great deal of the land, but settlement will neoesoa-rily be slow under the conditions now obtaining. Your last letter with referenoe to the water right matters on the upper Duohesne reoeived, and I have instructed Means to look into this matter as you nuggestod. I fully appreciate the difficulties of your task, Captain, and am anxious to help in every way possible to insure the Indians retaining their rights, BO if possible will arrange to visit you during the summer and spend a little more time than I have been able to heretofore. Our |