&c. My deliberate judgment is, that the Canada system would far better suit the Indians of California than the present one, and it would certainly better their condition, and be a great saving to the Government. While the southern farming portion of this State has suffered with drought, rain was quite sufficient in this and adjoining counties. Our yield of grain, corn, and all kinds of vegetables has exceeded that of any previous year. The following are the productions of the reservation farm and garden, as near as can be estimated: Wheat, 6,000 bushels; corn, 3,500 bushels; oats, 2,960 bushels; barley, 2,650 bushels; potatoes, 250 bushels; onions, 10 bushels; beans, 50 bushels; melons, 200 in number; pumpkins, 25,000 pounds; apples, 800 bushels; carrots, 100 bushels; cabbage, 2,000 pounds; beets, 3,000 pounds; tomatoes, 1,000 pounds; hay, 550 tons. INDIAN GARDENS. The Indians have cultivated 300 acres in vegetables of a general character, which has yielded beyond the expectation of any one; but it is impossible to form an estimate, owing to the fact that the Indians used from their gardens as soon as possible. The Indians are much scattered, but, thanks to the Giver of all good, every need has been most graciously supplied. IMPROVEMENTS. Three wells have been dug and walled up; eighteen new houses built for Indians, 12 by 14 feet, and 12 by 16 feet, one story, box style, one window in each; all have plank floors, and good brick chimneys; two dwelling-houses and one school-house have been sided up with weather-boards; one dwelling-house built for school-teacher, 24 by 32 feet, with six rooms, three of which are lined with heavy wall-paper; this house is one and a half stories high, sided up with weather-boards, and has a good substantial brick chimney. We have also built a dwelling-house for the sawyer, at the saw-mill, 16 by 24 feet, with shed-room, box style. We have built one hop-house, main building 24 by 48 feet, and 50 feet high, brick flue in center, with a partition-wall through center, making four rooms, 24 by 24 feet; two shed rooms or wings, 24 by 48 feet, with a good shingle roof on all; it is the best building of the kind in this county. We have planted 30 acres in hops, from which we hope to realize enough to pay all expenses this season; we have built a substantial press for the purpose of pressing the hops into suitable bales for convenient transportation. We have built a new mill-house for grist-mill, 30 by 70 feet, with 28-feet posts, and four floors; also an engine-room, 20 by 30 feet, 12 feet high. A new granary has been attached to the mill-building, 60 by 30 feet, with 12-feet posts; there is a passage-way 6 feet wide, with car-track the entire length, to convey the wheat to the mill-house; there are bins on each side of said passage-way 12 by 12 feet, and 12 feet high, to store grain and flour in. The mill building rests upon a solid and substantial stone foundation; the roof is covered with shingles and painted with fire-proof paint; all the machinery is of the best quality, and much new machinery has been added of the latest and most approved kind. I am fully satisfied it is second to no mill property in this county, and well calculated to meet all the demands upon it. Many other improvements have been made, and much more could have been done if we could have had a carpenter and more funds. EDUCATIONAL. Up to July 1, we had but one school and one teacher. As it was impossible for one teacher to do justice to 70 or 80 pupils, by authority of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs an additional teacher was employed July 1st. We have had since that time two schools, both of which have been well attended and are in a prosperous condition. The Indians are beginning to realize the advantages of an education, and their rapid improvement has surpassed the expectations of their most sanguine friends. SANITARY. It is gratifying to me to inform you that the sanitary condition of the Indians is good, and continually improving; the sanitary monthly reports, which have been correctly kept, show 47 births and 31 deaths during the past year. This is one of the results of the Christian peace policy. RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. We have two Sabbath-schools, with a full set of officers and teachers. The Indians of all ages are gathered, as far as moral suasion avails, and are faithfully instructed every Sabbath; preaching at both school-houses every Sabbath, and three evening meetings each week. The Methodist Episcopal Church, under whose religious care this agency is intrusted, appointed a missionary to look after the moral and religious interests of our Indians. Four hundred dollars missionary money was appropriated to aid in his support. He has been very faithful in his work, The Church is more fully aroused to a sense of duty and responsibility than ever before. I trust a reaction may take place, and even better results be realized in the future. INDIAN INDUSTRY. We have three Indian men capable of running either of our steam-engines; two are now acting as engineers, one at the saw-mill and the other with the steam-thrasher. There are several good carpenters, capable of doing any kind of common work. Many of the Indians understand every variety of farm work, and compete successfully with white men in sheepshearing and many other kinds of labor; they are willing to work, and are under the best of discipline. A gentleman came here from a distance of fifty miles to get Indians to pick hops. He said he had some Indians, that did not belong to this reservation, engaged in picking hops, but they received a stick with notches in it and a feather tied to it, inviting them to a dance, so hop-fields and all engagements were abandoned; and this gentleman had to look to reservation Indians to help him in his need. MISCELLANEOUS. This reservation was established in 1856, and by an act of Congress March 3, 1873, was established in its present form. The Indians were encouraged to believe that they would soon have this as their permanent home, and have land given them for their individual homes. Four years have passed away. Messrs. Thomson, Bourne, and Eberly hold their former homes under a claim of swamp and overflowed land, and the stockmen hold the range as they did in 1872. With this range for sheep, together with our hops, mills, &c., this reservation would be self-sustaining; but the Indians failing to get the land and range promised them, and Congress cutting down the appropriations annually, they are fast losing confidence in promises, and, as a fearful result, a reaction has taken place. Scores are lost to the church-lost all their interest therein-and I fear will be forever lost. A failure on the part of the Government to keep faith with the Indians is the cause of most of our troubles with them. The wisest man that ever lived has said, "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick." It is as true to-day as when first spoken. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. J. L. BURCHARD, United States Indian Agent. TULE RIVER INDIAN AGENCY, CALIFORNIA, August 20, 1877. SIR: 1 have the honor to submit my annual report of this agency. The first and most important event to notice is the removal of the agency from the rented farm, which has long been occupied, at an enormous rental, to a permanent reservation. The transfer was effected early in December last, and after a trial of three-fourths of a year I am glad to state my unqualified approval of the arrangement. Almost anything would have been preferable to the continued occupancy of a rented reservation, especially considering its small area and proximity to the destructive influence of the liquor traffic. With such surroundings and controlling influences it is not surprising that two decades should pass without witnessing a greater improvement in these Indians. Moral improvement under such circumstances with any people is entirely Utopian. A large majority of the Indians are well satisfied with the removal, and are laboring with commendable zeal in making permanent improvements and gathering around them the comforts of home. No savage yells are now heard at night from drunken Indians, and no padlocks and chains required to restrain men and women made furious with rum. A few Indians are still at the Madden farm, and indulge the hope that the Government will yet purchase it for a permanent residence. By their own statements to me I am satisfied they have been induced to believe this from the representation of parties wishing to share in large profits made by illicit trade, or the sale of real estate connected with and adjacent to the Madden farm. Twice I have sent Government teams to bring these families to the reservation, but they refused to come, stating as a reason for such refusal that Mr. Madden's agent had given them permission to remain. Stockmen are also endeavoring to dissuade these families from moving to the reservation, by telling them that it is entirely worthless and unsuitable for them, so as to have the privilege, without let or hinderance, of using it as a summer range for their flocks and herds. It is not strange, with all these influences, that a few families should hesitate to leave the place once promised them as a home, and to which they have, by long years of residence, become so warmly attached. Their minds, however, are becoming gradually disabused, and all will, without doubt, move here before the coming winter. This reservation is located on the waters of South Tule River, in Tulare County, and embraced, in the original executive order, 91,837 acres. During the past year some 1,280 acres, belonging to citizens on the northern boundary, were reported to the Department with a view of securing an appraisement, and the location of &c. My deliberate judgment is, that the Canada system would far better suit the Indians of California than the present one, and it would certainly better their condition, and be a great saving to the Government. While the southern farming portion of this State has suffered with drought, rain was quite sufficient in this and adjoining counties. Our yield of grain, corn, and all kinds of vegetables has exceeded that of any previous year. The following are the productions of the reservation farm and garden, as near as can be estimated: Wheat, 6,000 bushels; corn, 3,500 bushels; oats, 2,960 bushels; barley, 2,650 bushels; potatoes, 250 bushels; onions, 10 bushels; beans, 50 bushels; melons, 200 in number; pumpkins, 25,000 pounds; apples, 800 bushels; carrots, 100 bushels; cabbage, 2,000 pounds; beets, 3,000 pounds; tomatoes, 1,000 pounds; hay, 550 tons. INDIAN GARDENS. The Indians have cultivated 300 acres in vegetables of a general character, which has yielded beyond the expectation of any one; but it is impossible to form an estimate, owing to the fact that the Indians used from their gardens as soon as possible. The Indians are much scattered, but, thanks to the Giver of all good, every need has been most graciously supplied. IMPROVEMENTS. Three wells have been dug and walled up; eighteen new houses built for Indians, 12 by 14 feet, and 12 by 16 feet, one story, box style, one window in each; all have plank floors, and good brick chimneys; two dwelling-houses and one school-house have been sided up with weather-boards; one dwelling-house built for school-teacher, 24 by 32 feet, with six rooms, three of which are lined with heavy wall-paper; this house is one and a half stories high, sided up with weather-boards, and has a good substantial brick chimney. We have also built a dwelling-house for the sawyer, at the saw-mill, 16 by 24 feet, with shed-room, box style. We have built one hop-house, main building 24 by 48 feet, and 50 feet high, brick flue in center, with a partition-wall through center, making four rooms, 24 by 24 feet; two shed rooms or wings, 24 by 48 feet, with a good shingle roof on all; it is the best building of the kind in this county. We have planted 30 acres in hops, from which we hope to realize enough to pay all expenses this season; we have built a substantial press for the purpose of pressing the hops into suitable bales for convenient transportation. We have built a new mill-house for grist-mill, 30 by 70 feet, with 28-feet posts, and four floors; also an engine-room, 20 by 30 feet, 12 feet high. A new granary has been attached to the mill-building, 60 by 30 feet, with 12-feet posts; there is a passage-way 6 feet wide, with car-track the entire length, to convey the wheat to the mill-house; there are bins on each side of said passage-way 12 by 12 feet, and 12 feet high, to store grain and flour in. The mill building rests upon a solid and substantial stone foundation; the roof is covered with shingles and painted with fire-proof paint; all the machinery is of the best quality, and much new machinery has been added of the latest and most approved kind. I am fully satisfied it is second to no mill property in this county, and well calculated to meet all the demands upon it. Many other improvements have been made, and much more could have been done if we could have had a carpenter and more funds. EDUCATIONAL. Up to July 1, we had but one school and one teacher. As it was impossible for one teacher to do justice to 70 or 80 pupils, by authority of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs an additional teacher was employed July 1st. We have had since that time two schools, both of which have been well attended and are in a prosperous condition. The Indians are beginning to realize the advantages of an education, and their rapid improvement has surpassed the expectations of their most sanguine friends. SANITARY. It is gratifying to me to inform you that the sanitary condition of the Indians is good, and continually improving; the sanitary monthly reports, which have been correctly kept, show 47 births and 31 deaths during the past year. This is one of the results of the Christian peace policy. RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. We have two Sabbath-schools, with a full set of officers and teachers. The Indians of all ages are gathered, as far as moral suasion avails, and are faithfully instructed every Sabbath; preaching at both school-houses every Sabbath, and three evening meetings each week. The Methodist Episcopal Church, under whose religious care this agency is intrusted, appointed a missionary to look after the moral and religious interests of our Indians. Four hundred dollars missionary money was appropriated to aid in his support. He has been very faithful in his work. The Church is more fully aroused to a sense of duty and responsibility than ever before. I trust a reaction may take place, and even better results be realized in the future. INDIAN INDUSTRY. We have three Indian men capable of running either of our steam-engines; two are now acting as engineers, one at the saw-mill and the other with the steam-thrasher. There are several good carpenters, capable of doing any kind of common work. Many of the Indians understand every variety of farm work, and compete successfully with white men in sheepshearing and many other kinds of labor; they are willing to work, and are under the best of discipline. A gentleman came here from a distance of fifty miles to get Indians to pick hops. He said he had some Indians, that did not belong to this reservation, engaged in picking hops, but they received a stick with notches in it and a feather tied to it, inviting them to a dance, so hop-fields and all engagements were abandoned; and this gentleman had to look to reservation Indians to help him in his need. MISCELLANEOUS. This reservation was established in 1856, and by an act of Congress March 3, 1873, was established in its present form. The Indians were encouraged to believe that they would soon have this as their permanent home, and have land given them for their individual homes. Four years have passed away. Messrs. Thomson, Bourne, and Eberly hold their former homes under a claim of swamp and overflowed land, and the stock men hold the range as they did in 1872. With this range for sheep, together with our hops, mills, &c., this reservation would be self-sustaining; but the Indians failing to get the land and range promised them, and Congress cutting down the appropriations annually, they are fast losing confidence in promises, and, as a fearful result, a reaction has taken place. Scores are lost to the church-lost all their interest therein-and I fear will be forever lost. A failure on the part of the Government to keep faith with the Indians is the cause of most of our troubles with them. The wisest man that ever lived has said, "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick." It is as true to-day as when first spoken. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. J. L. BURCHARD, United States Indian Agent. TULE RIVER INDIAN AGENCY, CALIFORNIA, August 20, 1877. SIR: 1 have the honor to submit my annual report of this agency. The first and most important event to notice is the removal of the agency from the rented farm, which has long been occupied, at an enormous rental, to a permanent reservation. The transfer was effected early in December last, and after a trial of three-fourths of a year I am glad to state my unqualified approval of the arrangement. Almost anything would have been preferable to the continued occupancy of a rented reservation, especially considering its small area and proximity to the destructive influence of the liquor traffic. With such surroundings and controlling influences it is not surprising that two decades should pass without witnessing a greater improvement in these Indians. Moral improvement under such circumstances with any people is entirely Utopian. A large majority of the Indians are well satisfied with the removal, and are laboring with commendable zeal in making permanent improvements and gathering around them the comforts of home. No savage yells are now heard at night from drunken Indians, and no padlocks and chains required to restrain men and women made furious with rum. A few Indians are still at the Madden farm, and indulge the hope that the Government will yet purchase it for a permanent residence. By their own statements to me I am satisfied they have been induced to believe this from the representation of parties wishing to share in large profits made by illicit trade, or the sale of real estate connected with and adjacent to the Madden farm. Twice I have sent Government teams to bring these families to the reservation, but they refused to come, stating as a reason for such refusal that Mr. Madden's agent had given them permission to remain. Stockmen are also endeavoring to dissuade these families from moving to the reservation, by telling them that it is entirely worthless and unsuitable for them, so as to have the privilege, without let or hinderance, of using it as a summer range for their flocks and herds. It is not strange, with all these influences, that a few families should hesitate to leave the place once promised them as a home, and to which they have, by long years of residence, become so warmly attached. Their minds, however, are becoming gradually disabused, and all will, without doubt, move here before the coming winter. This reservation is located on the waters of South Tule River, in Tulare County, and embraced, in the original executive order, 91,837 acres. During the past year some 1,280 acres, belonging to citizens on the northern boundary, were reported to the Department with a view of securing an appraisement, and the location of the agency and a portion of the Indians on that part of the reservation. The Department did not deem it advisable to ask Congress to make an appropriation for the purchase of said lands at the figures reported by me as the probable value, but have in view, as I understand, their exclusion from the reservation. Although this leaves no arable land, only small tracts on the waters of the South Tule River, and embraced in the first survey, it is perhaps the best policy to pursue. There is scarcely a probability of any increase in the number of Indians to be gathered on the reservation, but almost a certainty of continued decrease. The arable land is so situated that, with moderate expense in the construction of flumes and irrigating ditches, an abundance of water can be procured to insure crops every year. After becoming better acquainted with this tract of country, I have a more favorable opinion of it as a reservation, and deem it quite sufficient to furnish homes for all the Indians that will probably ever be gathered upon it. The allotment of land in severalty, in my judgment, is the true course to be pursued. This, so far as I have been able to do, has been highly satisfactory, and proven a great incentive to habits of industry. To be able to say my house," and "my land," begets a feeling of independence, and stimulates to increased effort and activity. I think all of the Indians under my care can be supplied with small tracts of land, within the bounds of this reservation, where they can make homes and become entirely independent of governmental assistance within two years from this writing. All the care they will need after that will be some one to protect them in their rights and conduct their school. This reservation was designed for the occupancy of six different tribes of Indians, living in this and adjoining counties. Only two of the tribes are now represented here, the Tules and Tijons. These have so intermarried that their tribal relation is no longer recognized. They number, according to the census taken last month, 254, a decrease since my last annual letter of 49. Sixteen of this number have died, and 33 have gone away from the reservation, some on account of the transfer of the agency, and others from a desire to live in different parts of the country; all, I am satisfied, growing out of the long unsettled state of this reservation. SANITARY. years. There have The sanitary condition of these Indians is similar to that of other been 16 deaths during the last twelve months, all of chronic diseases. has prevailed among most of the little bands living off the reservation. near Visalia, there were last year 65 Indians, principally Kaweahs and there are but 16 by actual count, three-fourths having died the past year. Nearly the same mortality has prevailed among the Monache Indians on Owens River. The King's River Indians, living north of this place some 90 miles, and numbering 250, are the only apparently healthy aborigines in all this country. I visited them last spring and found them in a comfortable condition. Quite a number of them had taken homesteads and were making improvements that were really commendable. Some expressed a desire to have their children attend school, but were unwilling to leave their present home and move to the reservation. I found among these Indians no trace of the Mexican element, which undoubtedly accounts for their good sanitary condition. AGRICULTURE. The agricultural interests have suffered from excessive drought. Nothing was raised on the agency farm. Indians who had irrigating facilities have produced very fair crops. They will realize about 250 bushels of wheat, 250 bushels corn, 100 bushels potatoes, 20 bushels beans, 5 tons melons, 5 tons pumpkins, and 10 tons of hay. EDUCATIONAL. A day-school has been maintained eight and one-half months during the year, with an average enrollment of 35 pupils. All the classes have made commendable progress, and have evinced a greater desire to thoroughly understand the principles involved in the several studies. MISSIONARY WORK. I think it can be truthfully stated that some advance in a religious point of view has been made. The Sabbath-school and other religious services have usually been well attended. While none have taken a decidedly religious stand, more interest appears to be manifested by some upon this question, and a good degree of intelligent inquiry is made by them in regard to a better way of living. There is a great deal to be done in this department, yet we see enough to encourage us to unceasing labor, believing that in due time we shall reap if we faint not. CIVILIZATION. The work of civilization with all Indians is a slow process. Where bad influence and example have been introduced in the outset the work is rendered much more difficult. These Indians, from their first acquaintance with the white man, until within a few years past, have only known the degradation of civilization. So far as the moral phase of the question |