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Show n-\vx OF'Kicrn O P I N D I A N A F F A I R S , Washington,, 1). C, July 5, 1894. Sill: You are hereby directed to forward the Annual Ileporfc of your agency, one copy, in time to reach the Department not later than the first of September next. The report should be plainly written with black ink in a legible hand, or with type-Avriter, on letter size paper, and on only one side of tlie sheet. It should furnish the office with a concise but clear vieAV of all affairs afc your agency, the condition, habits, and disposition of the Indians under your care, and reliable information as to the character and extent of progress made, and should be a full but brief summary of all notable, events and changes that have occurred among the Indians belonging to the agency during the year. Facts in compact shape are Avauted, and definite recommendations and suggestions are invited; but theories, generalizations, and especially "solutions of the Indian problem," m a y be dispensed with. It must be borne in mind that this report is intended for public as well as for office use, and therefore it should contain such information as in itself will afford to one Avho seeks a kuowledge of the Indians under your charge an accurate picture of their condition, as vvell as a condensed history of the year's work. It should also be borne in mind that this report can not be relied upon by the agent, for securing definite action by this office; matters requiring office action must be presented in a special report on each subject. The accompanying blanks, furnished for statistical information, should be carefully and fully filled out and forwarded with your report. Statistics of maturing crops not yet gathered may be carefully estimated. 2So delay ni forwarding the report -will be allowed on account of inability to furnish the exact figures; but Avlicn the figures are estimated that fact should be stated, and exact figures should bo furnished as soon as possible, finery question must he answered; litis office should not be left to infer limn a blank that a question does not apply to your agency or that an answer is naught. Answers should In-given hi figures. (SXThese statistics should he made with greatest care. They aro matters of frequent reference, and the inconsistency and unreliability of figures furnished by some, agents hitherto have occasioned the office much embarrassment, and discredited other figures that are reliable. There is palpable error Avium, for instance, the number of houses occupied by Indians is given as 300 one year and '25 or none the next. If tho figures to be given this year are inconsistent (on their face) with those given last year the discrepancy should bo explained cither by showing that the former figures AVCIO incorrect or by stating the cause of the difference between the rc-,ports of the two years. Glaring discrepancies without explanation must not be allowed. The subjects of agriculture, education, missionary work, courts of Indian offenses, road-making and repairing, etc., upon which information is sought in the blanks, will, of course, be set forth in detail in the body of your report. All educational work carried on among the Indians under your charge, whether by Government or other parties, should receive special notice, and the condition and progress of each school should be reported. Full information is desired on the general subject of industries among the Indians of your agency; what arts, trades, and other occupations they pursue; to what extent and by Avh.it methods. Set forth the present status of allotments, the favorable or unfavorable disposition of the Indians of your agency regarding them; the difficulties in the way, or the objections raised thereto; how many Indians, if any, have taken their lands in severalty, and whether or not they are occupying and improving their allotments; also how many Indians are occupying definite, separate, though unallotted tracts, and what improvements they are making thereon. These statistics should show the actual state of affairs of your agency, whether creditable or otherwise, "llose-colored" statements are not wanted; their ultimate effect is to throw discredit on all statistics published by the Indian Office. The report must not be made up by guess-work in your office, but must be based upon facts or reliable data. Acknowledge the receipt of this circular letter, and state at what time you will mail your report to this office. D. M. BROWNING, Commissioner. |
