OCR Text |
Show Hon.. 3. H. Abbott, Con'r Indian Affairs, , 'Yashington, D. 0., Dear Sir:- • . > * >• OF. "^ v\ \ w,yi3 J \\\ kk .; pril 7tc.7,l;9l_J^o:o^ \ APR 1-i .9(3 j' O. ^14/3 ': P/ Pursuant to permission which you so kindly granted us at the viae of our recent * interview v/ith you relative to the leasing of Indian:.' gracing lands which thei writer, James 3. tSardock has used 7 -'- . -. in the past, "S'hich was to the effect that v?e alight visit the In-' w"'y dians of the former Uintah Reservation or call a meeting T7ith thea'Yy for the purpose of considering with them the question of our ap~-> '::-*[ •plication for renewal- of solid lease, us proceeded upon, our return.-t/vi to Utah te the Agency at'"hi te 3oclC3% and not or. Jewell- J)f. Liar tin, ';M Acting Indian Agent;, vhG treated us nith every courtesy and- considers^ tion consistent with the. nature of our business. Contrary to oxpeeta™ tion, based upon both conversation and correspondence hetween.7r. •,, '•; .Yartin and James 3. Ylurdock, through vrhich !ve -ere- inclined, to be- .-,'4 lieva that dr. Zlartiit oras not only not opposed tc cur occupancy of ,73 cuch of the Indians' range lands as they are not in position to useR themselves, but tliat he actually favored it,we found that/'he had-' ff evidently changed his vierrs regarding the best interests^of the Indians,, and that he-) now entertains the opinion that these lands should not be leased at all. _lr. dartin informed us u^yn our arrival tha;: he had already called the leading Indians together and had heic a meeting with then, at which he had advised them that in his judgse meat it would be to their interest not to sanction a leasing-of their gracing lands, lie stated however, that he would have no objection tO'A$ us visiting the Indians or again calling them together for a meeting? fl"o did not of course' deem it proper to hold such a meeting and f&ke _,_/'issue with the opinion of the Agent, but did talk to a few of, the-"'wl Indians, aot r/ith a view to persuading them to act contrary to the.v7,| advice of dr. dartin but for,.the purpose .of learning, if possible/.Y^, their personal sentiment and feeling ia the matter. " e found. n.orxe of-'M. the Indians who had'any grievance agaiant U3 nor fault to .find' withH'ff the treatment which they have received In the past from Lir.. James --St. J durdocir. Ihey wore indifferent rather than op-.osed to leasing, and'.' ;f as a reason for bheir indifference 3tated that the money realised -in,. tha past from leasing had been expended for the benefit of the few of them r"ho are owners of live stock, in the way of furnishing-'them bet tor breeding stock, etc. All of those with whom we talked who are u_" >- --a =3" '-U not own err, of stock and had therefore, oated in the benefits from lease money .0 fhh ow sTr.ar> t?»r. 11 .he maians aot. parrtici- ' stated, that if the ranges in the distribution of the -."' '. V can bo loo.sod and all money realised they would favor leasing during our stay dr. Liar tin called and held a meeting'with the-*-"' Indians at tha Curay Agency, -This meeting we attended, as did al3C •'- owite R number of the Indians from the '"hite docks Agency. In- vicTrdw of dr. w'.rtin's stand upon the matter and the attitude of tho the Indians from "hite .dock who had ace opted the invitation t tend this meeting oV did not feel inclined to take :>.ry port in *th deliberations of th/ .meetinr. se of. V o 'at-wc • & \ e Jiave r.oZh '*• . . -. Qi?- _3^raa •- •'odmJijwn or the treatmen.t_.ac^6_i__!__e&< |