Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1873.djvu/63

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An attempt has been made to induce the Aricksrees, Mandans, and Gros Veutres, who occupy the reservation at Fort Berthold, to remove to the Indian Territory, but they have declined to send a delegation to prospect for the tribe, and seem averse to removal from their present grounds, where they are exposed to raids from the Sioux, and their crops are alternately cut off by the grasshopper and the drought. Their crops generally this year are reported as a failure, and it is not unlikely that, without help through a deficiency appropriation, they will suffer severely during the winter. The Indians on these agencies deserve more from the Government than any other tribes in Dakota, on account of their fidelity to the Government and the faithful service rendered by them as scouts in compelling other Indians to keep the peace.

The wandering bands of Chippewas in Minnesota require the attention of the Government. There are two permanent reservations in the State, at Leech Lake and White Earth, and the different bands remaining among the settlements of Pembina and Otter-Tail should be gathered upon the White Earth reservation. For these bands the Government has acquired, by purchase from the Mississippi Chippewas, the right to settle upon this reservation; but in order to establish them there a special appropriation will be The appropriation of $10,000, made by last Congress for the removal of the Pembinas, being too limited for the purpose, has not been used.

The Mille Lac band of Chippewas in Minnesota remains in its anomalous position. They have sold their reservation, retaining A right to occupy it during good behavior. With this title to the soil it is not deemed expedient to attempt permanent improvements at Mille Lac, unless a title to the reservation can be returned to them on condition that they surrender to Government all moneys acquired in consideration of their cession of the Mille Lac reservation. If this cannot be done, their Indians should he notified that they belong at White Earth, and be required to remove. In their present location, on its present tenure, nothing can be done looking toward their civilization;

In consideration of the condition of the scattered bands of different tribes of Utes in Nevada., Colorado, and Utah, it was deemed advisable to send a commission to inquire as to their numbers and the possibility of gathering them upon one or more reservations, where they would be more immediately under the care of the Government, and removed from the white settlers. Agent G. W. Ingalls and Major J. W. Powell were appointed on this commission. They seem to have adopted the exhaustive method, and the interesting report of their labors for the summer is herewith submitted, and attention invited to their recommendations, which are heartily endorsed by this office.

October 14, 1864 a treaty was concluded with the Klamath and Modoc tribes and Yahookin band of Snake Indians in Oregon, by the first article of which said Indians ceded to the United States all their