Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1876.djvu/14

X In accordance with the provisions of the act of April 10,1876, appraisers have been appointed to appraise the land belonging to the Pawnees in Kansas which they have vacated.

The report of the present condition of the Oheyennes and Arapahoes, and the Kiowas and Comanches, who, so lately as last year, were dismounted and disarmed, and who were at that time classed as equally intractable and violent as the Sioux, is remarkable for the progress it shows they have made iu peaceful pursuits and the desire evinced for the education of their children. So great is this desire that, had we greater facilities for taking care of and teaching them, a much larger number of children could be gathered in the schools.

I have lately named a commission, consisting of three civilians and two Army officers, to examine certain questions of disagreement between the Nez Perce Indians, in Idaho, and the settlers in their neighborhood, and also to report upon the subject of reducing the number of reservations in Oregon and Washington and Idaho Territories. Sufficient time has not elapsed to receive any report of their action.

The Osages, numbering some 3,000, are in a condition of great destitution. They have been great sufferers by a flood which carried away their fences and the greater part of their crops. They have been in the habit of supplying their wants in great part from the chase of the buffalo; but during the last season this has been a failure. They have abundant funds in the hands of the Government to supply all their requirements in the way of food, clothing, and necessary farming-implements, and ask that in their most pressing need they be allowed to use it. The time of payment by the settlers upon their lands in Kansas was extended by the Government, or the interest would now supply their wants. respectfully recommend that you urge upon Congress its early consideration of this matter at its coming session.

In accordance with the requirements of the act of June 10, 1876, within the time prescribed, all stocks, bonds, and other securities held in trust for Indian tribes were transferred to the custody of the Treasurer of the United States. In this connection I would renew my recommendation that as such bonds, and stocks mature and are paid, instead of being required to re-invest in new bonds, which have to be purchased at a premium, thus reducing the principal, the money be allowed to remain in the Treasury and the Government pay thereon a just and equitable rate of interest.,

PUBLIC LANDS. During the year ending June 30, 1876, public lands were disposed of as follows: