Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1881.djvu/11

Rh. I then requested the Treasurer to sell the bonds thus continued, which he did, selling $500,000 July 15, 1881, at 2½ per cent. premium, and the balance, $1,686,050, August 11, 1881, at 2 per cent. premium, realizing a gross premium of $44,971 to the profit of the fund. The principal sum of $2,186,050 has been, under the law, covered into the Treasury and draws five per cent. interest, and the premium above stated has been, under the decision of the First Comptroller, carried to the interest account of the fund.

RIGHT OF WAY TO RAILROADS THROUGH INDIAN RESERVATIONS.

During the last fifteen months, quite a number of railroad corporations have made application to the department for permission to construct their railroads through Indian reservations, urging the necessity of supplying the needs of the white people on our frontier, and the civilizing influence of railroads on the Indians, as reasons why their requests should be granted.

The Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railway Company obtained permission, on May 24, 1880, to cross the Sisseton Reserve, in Dakota, occupied by the Sisseton and Wahpeton Sioux. The treaty with these Indians provides for the construction of railroads, under certain conditions, which I am advised have been carried out.

The Republican Valley Railroad Company, of Nebraska, in October and December of 1880, obtained permission from the Otoes and Missourias to cross their reservation in Nebraska. The treaty with these Indians provides for the building of railroads.

The Saint Paul and Sioux City Railroad Company, on April 19,1880, obtained permission to cross the Omaha Reservation, under the provision of the treaty with the Omahas which provides for the building of railroads.

The Carson and Colorado Railroad Company, on April 13, 1880, made an agreement with the Pi-Utes to cross the Walker River Reservation, Nevada, which was established by executive order. This privilege has not yet been confirmed.

The Dakota Central Railroad Company, on June 12, December 23, and December 31, 1880, entered into an agreement with the mixed tribes of Sioux living on the Sioux Reservation in Dakota, to build a railroad east and west through their reservation, in accordance with treaty stipulations.

The Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railroad Company, on November 2,1880, made a similar agreement with the same Indians to cross the Territory east and west.

The Oregon Railway and Navigation Company, on June 10, 1881, in accordance with treaty stipulations, made an agreement with the Walla-Wallas Cayuses, and Umatillas to construct its line across the Umatilla Reserve in Oregon.

On July 18,1881, by authority of the President, on the application of