presented to them a diagram of the country assigned them, by their treaty of 1851, as their hunting grounds, which they seemed to un-derstand perfectly, and were enabled, without difficulty, to give each initial point. In fact, they exhibited a degree of intelligence seldom: to be found among tribes, where no effort has heretofore been made to civilize them. I stated to them that it was the intention of their great father to reduce the area of their present reservation, and that they should settle down, and betake themselves to agriculture, and eventually abandon the chase as a means of support. They informed me that such was their wish, and that they had been aware for some time that they would be compelled to do so; that game was growing scarce every year, and that they had also noticed the approach of the whites, and felt that they must soon, in a great measure, conform to their habits. I pointed out to them a country that I regarded as fertile, upon which I desired them to settle. The chiefs of both tribes that were present readily consented to the propositions I made to them; but the chiefs of the Cheyennes present requested that, in order that there should be no trouble amongst themselves in future, that they should have the opportunity of consulting their co-chiefs and braves before executing any agreement; but when they had submitted my propositions to their bands, if they refused to give their assent, that they, as the principal chiefs, would enter into such agreement, and settle down, and allow the remaining portion of their tribe to locate where they saw proper, but expressed the opinion that the absent chiefs would not hesitate to enter into the agreement, as indicated to them. It should be remarked that a portion of the Cheyenne and Arrapahoe bands reside north of the fort, upon the Platte river, and belong to Agent Twiss's agency, and receive their annuities from him; and while the tribes there present seemed anxious to induce their people to settle with them upon the Arkansas, they did not regard their assent to the proposed arrangement as important. The only land fit for cultivation within the reservation I proposed to settle them upon was upon the Arkansas river, and on the north side; the south side below the junction of the Purgatory river being regarded as Comanche hunting grounds. The Comanches have never lived on or claimed the country west of Purgatory river. So it was my purpose to settle the Cheyennes and Arrapahoes on both sides of the Arkansas above the Purgatory, as far up as the vicinity of a stream called Huerfano, and south to the northern line of New Mexico, and on that line east to the Purgatory, and to include a dry creek north of the Arkansas called Sand creek, upon which there is some arable land. The country designated as the future homes of these tribes is much larger than their wants require; but the good lands included will not be more than sufficient to give each soul forty acres, with water, and a fair proportion of timber, which is ex-ceeding scarce. The tribes are supposed to number 3,500 souls. In the vicinity of Fort Wise a country twenty-five miles in length is now held and claimed as a military reserve. This extent of country, so much larger than has been regarded usually as necessary for military purposes, contains more timber than any portion of that country visited by me, and might with propriety be reduced, at least, one half of its present extent, and still have sufficient timber for firewood and other ordinary. demands. Stone is so abundant in the vicinity of the fort that but little timber is required for building purposes. It has not fallen to my lot to visit any Indians who seemed more disposed to yield to the wishes of the government than the Cheyennes and Arrapahoes. Notwithstanding they are fully aware of the rich mines discovered in their country, they are disposed to yield up their claims without any reluctance. They certainly deserve the fostering hand of the government, and should be liberally encouraged in their contemplated new sphere of life. The council closed with the understanding that when an agent should be appointed in the place of Agent Bent, who had tendered his resignation, that I should place in his hands an agreement in accordance with the understanding had, and that they would execute it without hesitation.* I purchased some goods and provisions to be given to those Indians attending the council. I issued a portion of them to the Arrapahoes, who had in good faith remained upon the ground at my request, and who were in great want. A few presents were given to the few Cheyennes present. The residue of the goods I placed in charge of a special agent and the military for safe-keeping, until such time as the agreement made should be finally consummated. I left Fort Wise on the 20th of September, and reached Kansas City on the 8th of October, having been detained two days on the Neosho river in council with the Kansas Indians, for the purpose of procuring their assent to an amendment to their late treaty made by the Senate, which was obtained in due form. Notwithstanding the many evil influences which surround the Kansas Indians, they seem inclined to adopt the policy of the department, which looks to their ultimate civilization. It is proper that I should remark, in conclusion, that although I purchased a large quantity of goods and provisions, as contemplated by the appropriation, the purchase of outfit, and pay of assistants, and the transportation of the goods and provisions, a considerable portion of the appropriation remains unexpended. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. J. THOMPSON, A. B. GREENWOOD, Commissioner. No. 100. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Office Indian Affairs, July 30, 1860. SIR Congress at its last session passed an act "making appropriations for the current and contingent expenses of the Indian department, and for fulfilling treaty stipulations with various Indian tribes, for the year ending June 30, 1861;" wherein it is provided, "That the Secre * As an agent has been appointed, it is proposed, with your approbation, after he shall have been legally qualified, to give him the necessary instructions to consummate the agree ment. tary of the Interior may divide the State of California into two Indian districts, and that the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint a superintending agent for each district, at a salary of $3,600 per annum, who, upon executing a bond upon such terms and in such sum and security as the Secretary of the Interior may prescribe, shall have under his control and management, as the Secretary may prescribe, the Indians and reservations in their separate respective districts. Each superintendent may appoint, subject to the confirmation of the Secretary of the Interior, a supervisor for each reservation in his respective district, to instruct the Indians in husbandry, at a salary of $1,800 per annum; and also appoint not exceeding four laborers to aid such supervisor, at a compensation not to exceed fifty dollars per month." The Secretary of the Interior, in the exercise of the discretion vested in him by the provisions of the act aforesaid, has decided to divide the State into two districts, to be designated, respectively, "the Northern Indian District" and "the Southern Indian District" of California; the northern district to include all that portion of California north of the southern boundary of the counties of Marin, Sonoma, Solano, Sacramento, and El Dorado, to the eastern boundary of the State; the southern district to include the remaining portion of the State south of the boundary above designated. Reposing confidence in you, the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, has appointed you superintending agent for the northern Indian district of California; and, immediately after the reception of your commission and general instructions, you will visit each of the Indian reserves within your district, and when you shall have ascertained the true condition of affairs thereon, you will require the respective agents to make careful inventory of all the government property which may be in their possession or under their control, and specify therein each item, with the estimated value thereof, belonging to each separate reservation, and, if correct, you will certify the same, and you will require the agents and employés to turn the same over to your charge, and they will be instructed accordingly. You will also require them, with the least possible delay, to make out their respective accounts against this department of the government, which you will examine with care, and, if found correct, certify the same to this office, and promptly notify the agents and employés on each reservation that, by reason of the repeal of the laws under which they were appointed, their services are no longer required, and are therefore discontinued from the date of such notice. As soon as you shall have become familiar with the condition of Indian affairs within the reserves in your district, you will appoint one supervisor for each reservation therein, subject to the confirmation of the Secretary of the Interior, to instruct the Indians in husbandry, at a salary of $1,800 per annum; and when you shall have become familiar with the real wants of the Indians, you will report such number of laborers for employment upon the reserves as in your judgment may be absolutely necessary to aid each supervisor. With a view to economize the expenses of the Indian service in California, it is deemed advisable, so far as practicable, to make suitable arrangements with the farmers and tradesmen in Northern California, by which to procure situations or those Indians who do not live upon the reserves, where they will be treated with kindness and humanity, and be comfortably supported, free of all expense to the government. You will also pursue the same course with the Indians living upon the reservations. If you cannot procure situations for all of said Indians, you will collect such as may not get employment in this way upon the reservations, and impress upon their minds that they must cultivate the soil and work for a livelihood, with a view to imitate the example of industrious white men. It is confidently expected by the department that the aggregate expenses of the Indian service in the northern district of California will, in no event, exceed the amount of the salaries and compensations of the officers and employés of said service; and in order to accomplish this desirable object the Indians must engage in daily labor, with a view to support themselves, and thereby curtail the expenses of the service as much as possible, otherwise the government may be compelled to abandon the system of managing the Indians of California, and leave them to the control of the State, or subject to the mercy or charity of the white citizens. As your general duties of superintending agent will require the consumption of nearly all your time in traveling through the reservations, you will strive in every proper manner to cultivate a spirit of industry and economy among the Indians of your charge, and it is expected that you will keep this office advised of your action, and that of the supervisors, in regard to the management of Indian affairs in the northern district of California. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN A. DREIBELBIS, Esq., A. B. GREENWOOD, Superintending Agent, Northern Indian District, Commissioner. Shasta City and County, California. Copy of the above to J. Y. McDuffie, Esq., superintending agent for southern Indian district, San Francisco, California. (Substituting the word "southern" for "northern.") No. 101. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Office Indian Affairs, July 31, 1860. SIR: You having been appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to be superintending agent for the Indians of the northern district of California, I herewith transmit your commission therefor. Referring to instructions of a more full and general character, given to you in letter, from this office, of the 30th instant, which are deemed sufficient for the present for your guidance and government, I have to advise that the necessary steps have been taken to have remitted to you the sum of $500 from the appropriation, "incidental expenses of the Indian service in California," for which you will account accordingly. This sum is designed to defray your traveling expenses in visiting the reserves within your district; and for all expenditures therefrom you will take receipts, when not impracticable, to serve as vouchers in your accounts; when impracticable, you will render an itemized account thereof. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN A. DREIBELBIS, Esq., A. B. GREENWOOD, Commissioner. Superintending Agent, Northern Indian District, Shasta City, Shasta Co., Cal. No. 102. DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR, Office Indian Affairs, July 31, 1860. SIR: You having been appointed, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to be superintending agent for the Indians of the southern district of California, I herewith transmit your commission therefor. You will execute a bond, of which I inclose herewith the form, in the penal sum of fifty thousand dollars, with two or more sureties, whose sufficiency must be certified by a judge, or a district attorney, of a district court of the United States, and take the official oath, a form of which is attached to the bond, before such judge, or a justice of the peace; if before the latter, his official character must be certified by the proper court or office, under seal. In order to facilitate an early assumption of your duties for the Indian service in California, as far as your, district is concerned, you are authorized and directed to file with the United States district attorney, Calhoun Benham, Esq., at San Francisco, your bond, which, if deemed sufficient and satisfactory by him, he will give you a statement to that effect, he forwarding to this office your bond when so received. Upon this subject Mr. Benham will be written to, and requested to coöperate in the premises. As early as practicable, after the reception of this communication, you will submit your accounts, including even your salary, to this office for settlement, rendering them to the day, inclusive, preceding the execution of your new bond; and any balance of public funds you may have on hand at that time, you will deposit with the Assistant Treasurer at San Francisco, to the credit of the Treasurer of the United States; and forward, with your accounts closed up as above stated, certificates in duplicate thereof, in accordance with the inclosed circular of the Second Comptroller of the Treasury. Your old appointment ceasing and your new one commencing on the execution of your new bond, your compensation under the latter will be at the rate of three thousand six hundred dollars per annum, to commence on the day when you shall have filed with the United States district attorney your bond satisfactorily executed, and the receipt from him of a state |