command of Lieutenant Johnson, were sent to the reserve to investigate the subject and "ascertain the truth or falsity of the report. They encamped at the agency one night and started on their return to Fort Dalles the next day. In consequence of the partial destruction of the crops on the reserve last summer by the Snakes, our Indians were reduced to want for provisions, and it became necessary to furnish them with flour for a few weeks.

In the face of all these difficulties and embarrassments, I have the satisfaction to report about the same amount of land under cultivation this year as Agent Dennison reported for the last. The crops look promising, and I anticipate a good yield.

Many of the families work with a system that will compare favorably with our white farmers whom they emulate. I think it safe to estimate the yield of potatoes, which look very fine, at 10,000 bushels, corn about 500 bushels, turnips 500 bushels, oats 400 bushels, squashes 1,000 bushels, peas 200 bushels, and other vegetables in proportion. The Indians have put up a large amount of salmon, and the fruit of their labors will probably be sufficient for their subsistence the coming year. If these people could be protected on the reserve, they would, with the ample provision made by treaty, be enabled to live comfortably and in easy circumstances. They are probably the most industrious Indians in Oregon, have a large number of horses, and are making considerable progress in civilization. They are making some substantial improvements on the reserve, having built several comfortable log-houses within the last six months. The schools provided for by treaty are anxiously expected, and will doubtless be appreciated by the most progressive of them.

UMATILLA RESERVATION.

Up to the present time no improvements have been made on this reserve, and the Indians to be located there are scattered; but the time has arrived to extend to them the long looked for benefits of the treaty concluded five years ago. The Indians to be colonized on the Umatilla reserve are the confederated tribes of Walla-Wallas, Cayuses, and Umatillas. The two former tribes, once among the most powerful and important in Oregon, have, through the combined evil influences of war, pestilence, and intemperance, been reduced to a mere shadow of their former greatness. These people will, for the future, be under the fostering care of the government, and it is to be hoped that much may be done for their moral and intellectual improvement. There is but one mission for the Indians for this district-Roman Catholic-located near Dalles City. The good fathers are very zealous in their labors, and I am satisfied that they exercise a beneficial influence over the minds and morals of many of the Indians. There is no school for any Indians of this district; but doubtless those provided for by treaty will be put in operation the present year.

In conclusion, I would state that in view of the fact that I am only temporarily in charge of this district, I deem it inappropriate in me

to offer any suggestions relative to any subject of future policy for this agency.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

EDWARD R. GEARY, Esq.,

G. H. ABBOTT,

Sub-Agent.

Superintendent Indian Affairs, Portland, Oregon.

No. 91.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

Office Indian Affairs, November 29, 1859.

SIR Referring to previous instructions upon the subject of intrusions upon the Cherokee neutral tract," in the southeast corner of Kansas Territory, I have now to direct you, in view of the imperative necessity of causing all intruders to be removed from said lands, to give public notice in the most conspicuous manner, and in conformity with former instructions, to all persons illegally occupying lands within the boundaries of said reserve, that they are required to remove therefrom immediately, or at all events prior to the early spring, and if any intruders are found within the reserve after the 1st day of April next, that prompt measures will be taken to expell them from the aforesaid tract of land by military force, and that no further leniency will be extended to them under any circumstances whatever. Those persons to whom permits have been granted at the instance of the Indians, or other parties, to occupy lands within the reserve, are embraced in the foregoing instructions, and you will notify them to remove accordingly, and hereafter you will refrain from granting permits to any persons to occupy these lands for any purpose, without direct authority from this office.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. B. GREENWOOD,

GEORGE BUTLER, Esq., United States Agent,

Commissioner.

Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation, west of Arkansas.

No. 92.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Office Indian Affairs, March 13, 1860.

SIR: Your communication, at the instance of a meeting held by the settlers upon the Cherokee neutral lands, in Kansas Territory, bearing date February 28, 1860, has been received and duly considered by this office.

It is stated in your letter above referred to, that the settlers, in

whose behalf you write, made their settlements upon what was supposed at the time to be the reservation set apart for the New York Indians, and that they were not aware, until recent surveys, their locations were upon the Cherokee lands. The excuse offered, in a legal point, is entitled to but little consideration. The Cherokee lands, as well as the New York tract, were alike secured to those tribes originally by solemn treaty obligations, which should have been sufficient to protect them from trespass by all law-abiding citizens. So far from that, not only those two reservations, but almost every reservation in Kansas Territory has been either settled or trespassed upon by the whites. This increased disregard of law and treaty stipulations induced Congress, on the 12th day of June, 1858, to pass an additional act, more stringent than the intercourse act of 1834, requiring the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to remove persons from any tribal Indian reservations who may be found thereon in violation of law. This act is to be found on page 332, United States Statutes at Large, vol. 11, from which it will be perceived that no discretion is left to me as to the course to be pursued.

However much my sympathy may be invoked in behalf of those who are regarded almost as my neighbors, still the law is imperative, and must be obeyed.

Whether these lands are needed for the use of the Indians or not, forms no consideration for delaying the execution of the law. It is unpleasant to me to occupy a position antagonistic to what the hardy pioneer regards as his legal or equitable claims, or claims based upon supposed rights; but they cannot expect me to deviate where both law and official duty command.

It is proper, also, that I should say that no treaty with the Cherokees for the purchase of the tract in question is anticipated. The Senate of the United States has intimated that no treaty involving the payment of money from the Treasury will receive the assent of that body.

The large amount of vacant lands in Kansas and elsewhere would seem to fully justify this determination. It is unnecessary for me to attempt to disguise the fact, that I should exceedingly regret a collision between the citizens and the authorities of the United States; and sincerely hope that the settlers upon the Indian lands will avoid so great a calamity; but, as at present advised, unless they obey the notice, the strong arm of the government will be employed to enforce it, however formidable they may be in numbers.. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHAS. W. BLAIR, Esq.,

A. B. GREENWOOD,

Commissioner.

Fort Scott, Kansas Territory.

No. 93.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Office Indian Affairs, April 21, 1860.

SIR: From information that has been received at this office in regard to certain persons, who are residing within the limits of the Cherokee Nation, it is found necessary to call your attention to the propriety of seeing that the provisions of the intercourse law are observed with respect to them. By reference to the law you will find that no person can reside within the limits of the country of any Indian nation or tribe, without permission, and such must be obtained under certain prescribed rules; and even after permission is given, if the party is found abusing the privilege, by acting in violation of any of the provisions of law, or is found unfit to reside in the country, whether from example, from the want of moral character, from his interference with the institutions of the tribe, from seditious language, and teachings, or from any cause tending to disturb the peace and quite of the tribe, or tending to alienate their attachment to the government of the United States, the superintendent of Indian affairs and Indian agents have authority to remove him, and the President is authorized to direct the military force to be employed in such removal. The necessity for such power, and for greater facility in carrying the same into execution was so apparent, that at the first session of the Thirty-fifth Congress, it was found advisable to legislate further in the matter; and the third section of the Indian appropriation bill was accordingly passed, which is: "That the Commissioner of Indian Affairs be, and he is hereby, authorized and required, with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, to remove from any tribal reservation any person found therein without authority of law, or whose presence within the limits of the reservation may, in his judgment, be detrimental to the peace and welfare of the Indians, and to employ for the purpose such force as may be necessary to enable the agent to effect the removal of such person or persons."

As I remarked before, I am induced to believe that the Cherokees have just cause of complaint from the presence of some such persons within their limits, and it is my desire that you call the attention of the newly appointed agent particularly to the subject. He should look not only to those cases which are there originally without authority of law, but also to those who, with ostensibly worthy purposes, have received permission, and falsified their pretensions. This is a delicate trust, and should be executed with great caution and discretion, and you cannot enjoin upon the agent too much care and circumspection; for, although I shall examine carefully the grounds of his charges, yet I must be guided in a great measure by his opinion, and am determined that the law shall be enforced.

You will, therefore, so soon as Mr. Cowart shall report to you for duty, communicate to him the contents of this letter, and require him to investigate as quietly as possible the cases of all white persons found within the limits of his agency, and to report to me, through you, such

as are there without the authority of law, and such as may be unworthy longer to remain, although they may have originally had permission to enter the country.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ELIAS RECTOR, Esq.,

A. B. GREENWOOD,

Commissioner.

Fort Smith, Arkansas.

No. 94.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Office Indian Affairs, June 4, 1860.

SIR: Information has been received here that a secret organization has been formed in the Cherokee Nation, which, unless broken up at once, will lead to domestic strife among that people from which the United States are bound by treaty stipulation to protect. It is believed that the ultimate object of this organization is to interfere with the institutions of the Cherokees, and that its influences will be extended to other tribes upon the western border of Arkansas. Under this state of things, Superintendent Rector has been instructed to direct Agent Cowart cautiously to institute inquiries in the premises, with the view to a disorganization of the parties. Should it appear that the information above referred to is true; and further, should it appear to his satisfaction that any white person, or persons, residents of the nation, or transiently there, is or are in any way or manner connected with it, to notify him or them to leave the nation forthwith.

To enable the agent effectually to execute his orders, I respectfully suggest, should you concur, that the Secretary of War be requested to detail from the military post nearest the scene of operations, and place at the disposal of Agent Cowart a force adequate to enforce any order he may deem it his duty to make. His address for the present will be Tahlequah, Cherokee nation, west of Arkansas. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hon. J. THOMPSON,

Secretary of the Interior.

A. B. GREENWOOD,

Commissioner.

No. 95.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Office Indian Affairs, June 4, 1860.

SIR: The attention of this office has been called to an article which appeared in the Fort Smith Times, in which it will be seen that a secret organization has been formed in the Cherokee Nation, which is rapidly increasing. The existence of such an organization, the objects