For information concerning schools, beyond what is contained in my statistical report of the 1st July, I would respectfully refer to the report of Řev. J. F. Diels, transmitted herewith. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. THOMAS MURPHY, L. R. PALMER, United States Indian Agent. Superintendent Indian Affairs, Atchison, Kansas. No. 102. ST. MARY'S MISSION, August 16, 1867. SIR: Were I to send in a report of our school to one less acquainted with the condition of the same, I might enter into many details, which I now deem unnecessary. As you know, the St. Mary's mission strives to keep pace with the advancing progress of the age. We have had no interruptions, no stoppages. Everything around looks cheering and encouraging. The health of the children has been excellent, and their progress and good spirit have given great satisfaction. Like the cars that now speed on their way by our mission, we have, at times, been crowded; we ought to have attached new cars to the accommodation we have. Government kindly encourages us, but as we have to provide for the support of so many children, whom we board and clothe in great measure by the labor of our hands, work has crowded in on us in such a manrer that we have had to postpone many necessary improvements. We hope, however, that ere long we shall be able to avail ourselves of the kind assistance offered us, and that the God who raises up mighty governments from small beginnings, for the accomplishment of his wise and great designs, will use our now humble, but thrifty mission, to accomplish great good. Respectfully, yours, Major L. R. PALMER, J. F. DIELS, Superintendent Schools, United States Indian Agent. No. 103. OSAGE RIVER AGENCY, SIR: I have the honor to state that during the past year the Indians in this agency have suffered considerably with sickness, and been damaged a good deal by grasshoppers. They have raised nothing but corn, and a very light crop of that. They have been unsettled in all their affairs in consequence of their expectations that the treaties lately made would be ratified, and that most of them would remove at once to new homes purchased for them in the Indian territory. The policy of the government with regard to them is generally and heartily approved. They are mainly anxious to remove, and as quick as possible. Under an arrangement made with the Secretary of the Interior the ten sections have been profitably disposed to actual settlers, at a good price. It is owned and occupied by an industrious, moral, and enterprising class of inhabitants. The manner of the sale, and the great saving to the Indians, as well as to the government, is so marked and decided that it deserves especial consideration, in connection with the sale of other reserves. The Miami reserve still continues to be occupied by white trespassers. I have endeavored to prevent the cutting of timber from the reserve, for purposes of speculation. I have called the attention of the United States district attorney to these trespasses. He has but lately entered upon the duties of that office, and expressed himself as desirous of becoming acquainted with the duties of the office before taking any action. These trespasses are almost entirely confined to the reserve and head-rights owned by the Miamies. There has been some little disturbance among the Miamies in consequence of misrepresentations circulated among them with reference to the contents of their treaty now pending before the United States Senate. I believe your letter with instructions from the Hon. Commissioner in regard to those seeking to make difficulty among them, has had a good effect. I have heard of no trouble since. The blacksmith shop is in successful operation and the blacksmith is constantly busy. The mission buildings have also been repaired, and under the supervision of Mr. John T. Hall a school has been established and is in a flourishing condition. He will make a report to accompany this. The Chief Mo-to-san-iah is deserving of especial commendation. His influence has been constant on the side of the government in pursuading his people to adopt its policy, and to remove at once with the rest to the Indian territory. He is a good man and zealously engaged in promoting the educational and religious interests of his people. Baptiste Peoiia, head chief of the confederated band, is too well known to need mention. To the government and to his people he has been a faithful friend and wise counsellor; for over thirty years past his great influence among all the Indian tribes in Kansas, as well as most of those in the Indian territory, has been constantly exerted on the side of loyalty and peace with the government, and especially to induce them to quickly and willingly remove to the Indian country. I have derived much assistance, also, from the influence and example of John Robido, especial interpreter of the delegation last winter in Washington, and also of Daniel Gebre, one of the principal delegates to Washington, and now Miami blacksmith. Respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. THOMAS MURPHY, G. A. COLTON, Indian Agent. Superintendent of Indian Affairs. No. 104. MIAMIVILLE, September 30, 1867. I have the honor to report that the mission school at this place is in successful operation, exceeding my most sanguine expectations. Notwithstanding at this season there is considerable sickness, the attendance has been increasing rapidly since the school was opened. There are 30 scholars in attendance, all of which are making rapid progress in their studies. I have been engaged in teaching for the past 15 years, and have had but few pupils under my tuition who were more attentive to their studies or more studious in their habits than the Miameis who are now under my control; many of the pupils who, a few weeks since, commenced in their alphabet, spell readily in two and three syllables; they also receive a thorough drilling in orthography. Nearly all in attendance speak our language well, and the rapid progress they make in all the branches taught, leads me to believe that they will compare favorably with any school in the country or State. Respectfully yours, G. A. COLTON, Indian Agent. J. T. HALL, Teacher of Miami Mission School. No. 105. OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR THE SIR: In compliance with the requirements of the Indian department I have the honor herewith to submit the following report, relative to the affairs of this agency, for the year ending June 30, 1867. As was the case last year so it has been during the present, the Indians have been arranging their affairs to remove to their new homes in the Indian territory. I urged upon them the importance of planting all of their fields so as to have a full crop, if not for transportation, for sale, which would be a great help to them. As a general thing this has been done, although some, confident they could remove at an early period, have failed to plant as heretofore. A fair crop has been raised of corn and potatoes, and of garden vegetables, &c.; but very little wheat was sown. They have been very impatient to be gone from this reserve, in order to build houses this autumn for winter use, and to be fencing fields for the ensuing year at their new reserve. The annuity due them April 1, 1867, having been withheld until quite recently, has caused a delay in their movements. A large party leave in a few days to select sites and erect temporary houses, and all desire to get away. Many of the Delaware young men are, at present, absent with the army acting as guides, scouts, &c., in which capacity they have always been found very useful. Difficulties, resulting from free use of intoxicating liquors, still continue, and it is hoped, for a time at least, this evil will be abated, when they are removed from the settlements where it is so easily obtained. The school has been continued with unabated numbers and interest during the year. The report of the superintendent is referred to for information in this department, which has been of the greatest utility to the Delawares. The Wyandotts are still in much perplexity from their peculiar situation. The State laws are thought to be in force for them, and their property, while they are not prepared to pay their taxes and comply with all the provisions of the law, is sold therefor; they are poor and need assistance, and I hope at the approaching session of Congress an act may be passed for their relief; they wish to remove and would be much better off in a more remote location. I am, sir, your obedient servant, THOMAS MURPHY, Esq., JOHN G. PRATT, United States Indian Agent. Superintendent Indian Affairs, Atchison, Kansas. No. 106. DELAWARE BOARDING SCHOOL, Delaware Reservation, Fransasi, September 2, 1867. SIR: The boarding school for the instruction of the youth of the Delaware tribe of Indians has been in operation during the past year, and presents this, its 19th annual report, of its condition and progress. The mode of instruction has been somewhat improved by the introduction of outline maps, globes, hemispheres, geographical charts, &c. The Kindergarten system has been sufficiently tested to warrant the belief that it may be adopted in the schools of Indians with entire success. They are rarely sleepy or inattentive, even though the mercury rises to 100°, while being taught from what appeals to the eye. Hence, "Wilson's Readers" especial favorites with the pupils. are The primer, national tablets, and first reader are in use in the primary department. The second, intermediate third, and third readers in the more advanced division of the school. With these aids the pupils have made more gratifying progress in reading than in the previous year, from the little ones of five or six to the well grown youth of 17 or 18 years. Ray's arithmetics have taken the place of Stoddard's. In exercises upon the slate the scholars are less ready than in former years. The two departments of the school are organized with reference to the degree of attainment, not age or sex. Light work about the place occupies the boys out of school; while in dining room work, sweeping, dusting, and house cleaning, with the mending and making of garments, the girls find abundant employment. The total attendance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1867, is 81 pupils. Cases of severe sickness have been exceedingly rare. Medicine and care have brought the patient about again in a few days, with the exception of a little boy, son of one of the first pupils, who died a few weeks since of scrofulous consumption. Very respectfully, &c., JOHN G. PRATT, E. S. MORSE, Teacher. U. S. Indian Agent, Delaware Reservation, Fransasi. No. 107. UPPER ARKANSAS AGENCY, Fort Larned, Kansas, August 13, 1867. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following as my annual report of the condition of my agency: The Indians of which I have charge, viz: the Arapahoes, Cheyennes and Apaches, are in a nomadic state, which renders it impossible for the business of my agency to be carried on with the same regularity as those agents who have their Indians on reservations quietly settled down. When first entering upon my duties last November I found so many difficulties to combat that I was nearly discouraged; but having been for a number of years among these Indians in the position of an army officer, and being in consequence well acquainted with their characteristics, I persevered. They complained of the government not having fulfilled its promises to them, and of numerous impositions practiced upon them by the whites; which complaints I am compelled to admit were correct. Then, on the other hand, some of their young men, thinking they had been badly treated, started out and committed some depredations. I finally succeeded in getting everything running properly; had issued the goods, and the Indians were scattered through their hunting grounds in perfect harmony with the whites; the mail travelled on the Santa Fé road with security, and individual white men were scattered all through the Indian country. And I heard of no complaints of the bad conduct of the Indians of my agency in any respect, when the unfortunate expedition of General Hancock took place, and his act in unnecessarily destroying a village of 300 lodges by fire has led to troubles which have existed up to the present time, as the department, I think, is well aware. When the commissioners who have been appointed by Congress arrive here, I have no doubt they will find these persecuted Indians willing to accede to any terms they choose to propose. When they make war they are driven to it, and consequently are always anxious for peace, which, in my opinion, they will religiously keep until again driven to desperation by the bad acts of white men. I can without doubt procure the attendance of the Indians at the point selected for the council. I remain constantly in the Indian country, and will continue to do so, and exert myself to further the public interests as long as I hold the position I now оссиру. I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, E. W. WYNKOOP, United States Indian Agent for Arapahoes, Cheyennes and Apaches. Hon. THOMAS MURPHY, Superintendent Indian Affairs. No. 108. ARAPAHOE, CHEYENNE, AND APACHE INDIAN AGENCY, SIR: My attention having just been attracted to a communication in the Army and Navy Journal and other papers from Major General Hancock to General Grant, in reference to his late operations in the country of the Indians included in my agency, which is calculated to cast some reflection upon me in consequence of the representations that I made at the time to my department in regard to his course, which representations were simply the facts in the premises, but which General Hancock endeavors to prove were misrepresentations on my part, I consider it a duty I owe to myself to set myself right before the department and the public by replying to the communication mentioned, and endeavoring to prove that General Hancock, and not myself, was mistaken in some particulars referred to by him. I shall also endeavor to prove that General Hancock was not only mistaken in certain particulars, but that his whole course in reference to the Indians of my agency was a mistake; and, as long as General Hancock's communication has had publicity given to it by being published in numerous journals throughout the United States, I think it will be no more than an act of justice to myself to have the same publicity given to this my reply. In the first communication that General Hancock addressed to myself, informing me of his intention of making an expedition to the plains, he says: I request that you will inform them, (the Indians,) in such a manner as you may think proper, that I expect shortly to visit their neighborhood, and that I will be glad to have an interview with their chiefs; and tell them also, if you please, that I go fully prepared for peace or war, and that hereafter I will insist on their keeping off the main lines of travel, where their presence is calculated to bring about collisions with the whites. If you prevail upon the Indians of your agency to abandon their habit of infesting the country travelled by our over-land routes, threatening, robbing, and intimidating travellers, we will defer that matter to you. If not, I would be pleased by your presence with me when I visit the locality of your tribes, to show that the officers of the government are acting in harmony. In accordance with the request made by General Hancock, I assembled the principal chiefs of the Dog Soldiers of the Cheyennes at Fort Larned, for the purpose of having an interview with him, (General Hancock.) These chiefs obeyed my summons with alacrity, coming a distance of 35 miles to this post |