uses, and Umatillas, numbering in aggregate eight hundred and thirty-seven souls, as per census taken by me July 6, 1870, and classified as follows, viz: There is at present living on the Columbia River, belonging to these tribes, and other bands who were parties to the treaty of 9th June, 1855, numbering in aggregate seven hundred and eighty-five souls, who never have partaken of the benefits of the treaty, classified as follows, viz: Since taking charge of this agency I never have relaxed my efforts to bring here all Indians who were parties to the treaty. During my visit to them in company with the superintendent this spring, and again this summer while enumerating them, I used all moral suasion at my command to have them remove to the reservation, to take land and till it as the other Indians on the reserve are doing, but all I could say or do was of no avail. They are wedded to their mode of living, and will not change, unless removed by force, and, indeed, I am positive it will be best to do so. Their remaining away induces others, bad Indians, to follow their example, and banding themselves together committing depredations on the white settlers about the country, which is charged to Indians on the reservation, causing a great deal of trouble to the agents, while the perpetrators levant back among those Indians, and can never be brought to justice. I would most earnestly recommend that these bands be gathered together and removed to this or some other reservation. AGRICULTURE. On making my last report, and before I had an opportunity of judging the amount of good land in this part of the State of Oregon, having but recently arrived from the East, where all land is tillable, I was of the opinion that only a small portion of the reservation was fit for cultivation, (in a manner it is so,) but when I compare it with the surrounding country, "made up of sand and sage brush," I am convinced that the Indians have the best land in Eastern Oregon. We have under cultivation, this year, about 900 acres, viz: Wheat 600 acres, estimated yield 12,000 bushels; oats 100 acres, estimated yield 3,000 bushels; corn 50 acres, estimated yield 1,500 bushels; potatoes 75 acres, estimated yield 7,000 bushels; hay 50 acres, estimated yield 50 tons; vegetables 25 acres, estimated yield 25 tons. This, I am confident, is a low estimate, and is exclusive of the department farm, some 100 acres, viz: Wheat 15 acres, estimated yield 400 bushels; oats 35 acres, estimated yield 900 bushels; hay 60 acres, estimated yield 75 tons; potatoes 3 acres, estimated yield 450 bushels; vegetables 2 acres, estimated yield 3 tons. This will be an ample supply to meet the wants of the Indians during the year and plenty for seed in the spring. The last year's crop was almost a total failure, on account of the great drought, as stated in my last annual report. A great number of Indians were short of seed in the spring, but sufficient for all their wants was supplied by me. It has been very gratifying to me to see that quite a number of the Indians remained on the reservations this year to attend to their farms, and did not levant to the mountains to hunt and fish at the time when their farms needed their constant care. Several who have good farms have informed me that in future they shall rely mainly on the produce of the soil for a livelihood, give up the aboriginal habits of their fathers of subsisting on roots and fish, and copy after the white man in the way of clothing and mode of living. STOCK. The wealth of these Indians consists chiefly in horses and cattle. It is almost impossible to obtain information as to the exact number, but I should estimate the number and value as follows, viz: Number of horses 10,000, cash value $150,000; number of cattle 1,500, cash value $30,000; number of swine 150, cash value $450; number of sheep 75, cash value $235. The amount of grass on the reservation is without limit; the horses and cattle are always in splendid condition, and scarcely need any care in winter, as grazing is good all the year, rendering it a very popular as well as profitable business to raise stock. The department stock turned over to me by my predecessor consisted of seven oxen, three mules, and three horses, all old and superannuated animals. One mule died of old age in the fall, and one ox this spring. However, I am pleased to report that the superintendent has furnished this agency with two good teams of horses, all that is required for use at present. AGENCY BUILDINGS, if I may be allowed to call them such, were erected with green cottonwood poles and daubed with mud. Decay has greatly depreciated their strength, rendering living in them longer unsafe. I would respectfully recommend new buildings, and that they may be erected near the mill site, the most desirable location on the reservation for an agency, and to enable the agent to superintend the mills daily. At present it is impossible for him to do so, located, as they are, a distance of seven miles from the agency. I called attention to these facts in my last report, but no response has been elicited. As we have a good saw-mill on the reservation, a very small sum of money would suffice to erect all the buildings required. IMPROVEMENTS. During the past year a new blacksmith's shop has been erected, the old one having been destroyed by fire, the milldam rebuilt, the fences about the department farm thoroughly repaired, and thirty acres of grass land inclosed; so, hereafter, there will be no lack of hay for the department stock. EDUCATIONAL. I regret to say that the Indian school does not promise as much success for the past year as I could wish. Father Vermeersch, principal teacher, has no doubt faithfully performed the duty assigned him, but the system of education which is carried on at this agency, a day-school, is not adapted to the wants of the Indians. A manual labor boarding-school should be established where the scholars could receive useful instruction in the arts of husbandry, where the English language should be the only language used and spoken, and clothing and food should be furnished so as to prevent them from returning to their former habits of living. I inclose here with the report of the principal teacher. HEALTH. The health of the Indians has been generally good. Among the adults few deaths have occurred; a number of children, through the neglect of their parents to call the physician employed at the agency to administer to them, but relied on the skill of their own medicine men to perform wonderful cures, have consequently died. MISCELLANEOUS. During the last year, with the exception of two cases, but few misdemeanors or crimes of a serious nature have occurred. About the 25th of March there was stolen from the Indians of this reservation a band of thirty head of horses. The fact was reported to me at once. I sent Indians in pursuit over all the principal roads throughout the country; the Indians who followed the road leading to Le Grande came upon the band in possession of three white men, at or near Baker City, and with the aid of the pass I gave them elicited the sympathies of the people, caused the arrest of the parties, whom I caused to be prosecuted at the last term of the circuit court, and convicting two, who were sent to the State prison, and the other bound over for trial at the next term of court. Another case was a white man who sold liquor to an Indian; I caused his arrest, and he is now awaiting trial at the next term of the United States district court at Portland, Oregon. At the present time rumor is current that Congress has recently enacted a law author izing the President of the United States to treat with the Indians of this reservation for the purchase of their lands. It is my opinion-obtained by conversation with the principal men of the different tribes-that there will be strong opposition to any treaty that will remove them from their present homes; but by judicious action on the part of those who manage the affair, a treaty may be consummated, allowing them a fair compensation for their improvements on their lands, and positive assurance that they will not again be removed. They are at present (in consequence of the oft-repeated theme that their farms are to be taken from them and given to the white settlers) quite dispirited, and unless those who are sent to treat with them, they know to be true friends, and have confidence that they will not defraud them, it will be almost impossible to bring them together, or talk on the subject appertaining to the treaty. Land in this section is much sought after, and the country being rapidly settled up, it is hardly to be expected that the Indians can retain this reservation much longer, unless the strong arm of the Government protects them. Daily am I called upon to notify the white settlers that they are encroaching upon the Indians' lands; and although it would seem unchristianlike to take them from their homes where they have passed their childhood, and the graves of their fathers whom they love to talk of and repeat the stories of their many brave deeds, yet, knowing as I do that they must go sooner or later, and the many disadvantages they will have to labor under if they remain, I would advise them to go, if a permanent reservation can be procured for them. It is due from me to say that the employés at this agency have been faithful and very efficient in the discharge of their duties, and always ready and willing to impart instruction to the Indians. Allow me here to remark that this agency has been established for the space of ten years, and I regret exceedingly to be compelled to state that I have been completely disappointed with what I see about me-a group of old dilapidated log cabins, where good buildings should have been erected according to the treaty. No improvements of any great value are here, to account for the large amount of money that has been expended during these years. I do not wish to speak disparagingly of any of the former agents, but I am convinced that the whole system of dealing with the Indians, as now practiced, is wrong; the provisions of the treaty should have been carried out according to the promises, and the Indians should be made to respect their obligations under the treaty, which they do not and will not do unless compelled by force, and that should have been done long ago. The only consolation with me in regard to the matter is my own conviction of having done everything in my power to advance and instruct the Indians, and having faithfully done everything for their benefit. Hoping that my official acts for the past year have met your approbation, W. H. BOYLE, First Lieutenant U. S. Army, U. S. Indian Agent. This report is so complete and truthful that it leaves me but little to add. As Lieutenant Boyle says, the agency buildings and their location are wretched. New buildings should be erected near the saw and grist-mill, where the land is higher and better, and the whole would be convenient. I am not prepared to agree with him that the Indians must remove from the reservation sooner or later. If they are protected in their just rights, as they can and I trust will be, they can not only remain where they are, but they will, under honest and capable agents and teachers, rapidly advance in civilization, and their brethren off the reservation can be brought on to live with them and occupy the land to advantage, both to themselves and their white neighbors. They have some good and industrious farmers among themselves, and they are as intelligent and promising as their brethren, the Oneidas of Northern Wisconsin or the Cherokees of the Indian Territory. The chiefs were called together during my visit by Agent Boyle to meet me, and the act of last session of Congress providing for the appointment of a commissioner to submit the question of their removal from the reservation, sale of their lands, and location in another place, was read to them. The chiefs said that they had heard of this act; that they had nothing to do with its getting up, were never consulted about it, nor had heard of it until it had passed Congress. They earnestly protested that they not only did not wish to sell their present reservation nor remove to any other place, but they distinctly said that they would never leave except they were compelled to go by force. They called attention to their farms, houses, mills, fences, cattle, and crops, and asked what reason there could be why they should be removed and be compelled to go back to the forests and to barbarism again. They prayerfully begged that I, as a commissioner coming from the President and Congress, would intercede on their behalf and use whatever power the Great Spirit had given me to prevent this great injustice. To say that I was deeply touched by their earnestness and the palpable justice of their representations and protests would be using very mild language. My regret is that I am unable to convey to others a graphic idea of the scene, the language, and the facts of their situation. The school is in a very unsatisfactory condition, as the teacher, Rev. G. A. Vermeersch, has reported. There were only seven scholars attending while I was there, but the usual number was fifteen or seventeen. Father Vermeersch is an earnest and kind-hearted man, and ought to have a better school-building and larger appropriations. His official report is herewith appended: SIR: Complying with the rules of the Department, I have the honor to submit my annual report. I do not really know if I am allowed to say that the school under my direction has been in a flourishing condition. The number of scholars attending has been from 17 to 21, males and females. Every one visiting the school seems to be satisfied with their progress in reading and writing the English language. For myself, I must confess that the school does not realize all my hopes and desires. But I hope you are convinced that it is not from want of care or labor on my part, but rather from the deficiency inherent in the system itself. A simple day school among. Indians is quite insufficient to impart to them all the elements needed to their civilization. Children come to school when advanced in years, and after they have already contracted the habits of a savage life, and they are moreover allowed to return continually among their own people, who certainly are not able to communicate to them any higher ideas than they themselves possess. I know this to be the conviction of the Indian Bureau at Washington, but why, with the full knowledge of this state of affairs, they do not make any improvements in this branch of civilization and try to erect boarding and industrial schools, is what I can scarcely understand, and which they may better explain than myself. After all, I am happy to state that this year a great improvement has been introduced in the school. Mrs. Boyle, with a commedable zeal for the welfare of the Indians, has not hesitated to take the girls of the school under her care twice a week, in the afternoon, and teach them to sew and make their own clothing. She has also made a full suit of clothes for the boys out of material furnished by the Department. The good resulting from it can scarcely be overrated. Besides teaching them so necessary a branch of civilization, it keeps the children clean, and as they are allowed to keep for their own use all the garments they can make, it is a great inducement to bring them to school. It is now for four years that I have called the attention of the Department to the dilapidated condition of the school-house, but, I feel sorry to say, without any success. I hope this year something may be done, as it will be almost impossible for the children or myself to occupy a house the roof of which will not keep out the rain, and where the wind and dust have free access during the coming winter. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Lieutenant W. H. BOYLE, U. S. A., United States Indian Agent. S. Ex. 39-3 G. A. VERMEERSCH. I regret that the Indian Department will lose the services of Agent Boyle, though the Army, of which he is so efficient an officer, will be much the gainer. In harmony with the system adopted by the Government of placing the Indian reservations under the care of those religious bodies whose missionaries have charge of the schools, the Umatilla should be assigned to the Roman Catholics, as Father Vermeersch has been the only teacher for six years, and the records of the Department show that before his appointment the tribe had repeatedly asked for a Jesuit priest as a teacher. Postscript, February 1, 1870.-Agreeably to the above suggestion and facts, the President has assigned this reservation to the Roman Catholics, and the appreciation of the reverend father acknowledging the fact is here appended: UMATILLA AGENCY, January 14, 1870. DEAR SIR: Your kind note of the 31st of December, 1870, has just been received. I thank you sincerely for announcing to me the appointment of Mr. Simms. I assure you that your intervention, even before you had received my note, to have justice done to the Roman Catholics, has entitled you to my gratitude, and given me a high idea of your impartiality for any particular denomination. Hoping you are well, and wishing you every prosperity, I remain, most respectfully, yours, F. VERMEERSCH. Knowing the deep interest you take in the welfare of the Indians, I wish you to take care that none but good and reliable persons be appointed to come and make a treaty with the Indians at this place; this, I think, is the means to prevent fraud and imposition. F. V. THE NEZ PERCES RESERVATION IN IDAHO. The Nez Perces agency at Lapwai, in Northern Idaho, is one of the most attractively located of any in the United States. The valley is beautiful, the agency buildings good, and the officers hospitable and intelligent; but I am obliged to confess that the good being accomplished for the Indians is very limited. I found as many well-to-do Nez Perces occupying farms off the reservation as upon it; both going and returning I met them with their large herds of ponies and traps on their way to Walla Walla, or other trading towns in the neighborhood. With the exception of those who came to the mill to have their wheat and corn ground-and there were many of these-the agency and all its expensive machinery seemed to be of but very little use to the tribe. Although it was the 25th October, there was no school opened; the Government saw-mill was not running, and nearly all the officers and employés, with the exception of the miller, seemed to be occupied with their own private affairs. Notwithstanding there is a saw-mill belonging to the Government, in running order, close at hand, capable of doing all the sawing that was actually needed by the Indians, it was lying idle, while a new steam saw-mill had been erected within a quarter of a mile of the other mill, and by private parties who had a contract to put up fencing on the reservation at an expense to the Government of $60,000. The fences erected under this expensive contract were spread out for several miles down the valley, inclosing patches of land varying from 15 to 40 acres, some of it ploughed, but hardly an acre of it occupied by an Indian. The object of this extensive fencing and ploughing was in accordance with the provisions of the treaty, which says that when the lands are fenced and ploughed, the "non-treaty Indians" are expected to come in and settle on the reservation; but, in singular indif |