and having jurisdiction over the agencies. Make the Indian feel and know his subordination to the power of the Government, and to this end force, quick, keen, and decisive, should be used whenever necessary.

5. Do not force the Indians to become scholars. First endeavor to make them industrious; and the principal schools they should now have should be industrial schools, so assisted and developed that industry and education would go hand in hand. The advantages should thus be made so apparent to the Indian mind that parents now reluctant or indifferent to send their children to school would soon be anxious to have them share in advantages so manifest.

The Indians have a religion of their own, adapted, as they think, to their present condition; and in my opinion but little progress can be made in changing this until they become more settled, industrious, and civilized. Whenever and wherever practicable, the Indians should be consulted as to what religious denomination they would prefer.

The churches have a wide field for their work, but, in my humble opinion, no denomination whatever should have the exclusive designation of the agent for the Indians. The fact that a man is a churchman should entitle him to no more preference in appointment to the office of Indian agent than to any other office. If I mistake not some of the appointments made at the solicitation of religious denominations have been notably unsatisfactory. Honest, practical business-men of solid worth should be selected, and their salaries increased commensurate with their duties and responsibilities. I do not believe an honest Indian agent can support himself and family on the meager income of $1,500 a year; the result is he is regarded as a thief from one end of the land to the other. The fact of being an Indian agent too often carries with it an odium and suspicion not easily overcome, however much undeserved.

In view of the proposed removal of this agency to the Missouri River last June, I did no encourage the Indians to plant very extensively. On the recommendation of General Crook' and under the belief that the removal would not be made until fall, I thought best to do something in the matter. To my surprise I found that about one hundred and fifty lodges, or beads of families, were anxious to plant small patches of ground, varying from one-half to three acres each. I purchased seeds to the amount of $170.05, and hired plowing to the amount of $663.78. The Indians made their own fences, and several of them did their own plowing. Some of them, notwithstanding the disadvantages incident to this section, will get a fair return for their labor. All that was planted at Government expense I had measured, and it footed up 146 acres; other ground, plowed by Indians, I estimate at 54 acres, making a total of 200 acres cultivated by Indians this year, as against 300 acres reported last year, though I am told by those who know that two acres have been planted this to one last year. I consider the money paid in this direction judiciously expended. I think whenever an Indian will work he should be encouraged by all means.

EDUCATION AND MISSIONARY WORK.

As this work has been under the exclusive control of the Rev. William J. Cleveland, mis sionary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, I invite attention to his report in relation thereto which is as follows:

"Education.-There is but one school building-the property of the Government-located at the agency proper. Three teachers, one male and two female, have been employed in the work of teaching during the year. The building will accommodate but 75 at one sitting, and, though centrally located, is too far from a large portion of the people for their children to attend school. It is manifest that such a limited provision is altogether inadequate to the work of education for an Indian tribe who number over 7,000. At times, when the Indian camps were near the agency, the school has been overrun, and at others but poorly attended, the whole number enrolled being nearly, if not quite, 400, while the average attendance for the year has been but 5. Its work has been to diffuse a little instruction among a large number, rather than to carry along a particular set of scholars to proficiency. It was deemed inadvisable, among these people and under the circumstances which exist here, to limit the number of scholars, and therefore, in order to accommodate the large numbers given above, the boys are taught in the morning and the girls in the afternoon, giving to each class but a half-day session of three hours. The children are bright, and generally learn easily, but have to be instructed individually, and not in classes, thus making the work of the teacher slower when the numbers are large.

"It should be understood, also, that the attendance of Indian children upon schools is altogether voluntary, no compulsion being used either at home or from any other quarter to insure their regularity. Consequently but few of those enrolled have been regular at school for any length of time.

"The large number who have taken advantage of this school, and the gratifying results under so many disadvantages, seem to indicate that the time has come when five or six additional schools should be established at points within 15 miles of the agency, so that all

children of suitable age could be accommodated. Ample provision for all and compulsory attendance would be still better. Two boarding-schools, one for boys and one for girls, would be well patronized if the means could be obtained for their support.

"Religious.-There is one mission-house and chapel, the property of the Protestant Episcopal Church, located at the agency proper. The missionary in charge and three lady helpers constitute the working force of the mission. Divine service, both in the English and Dakota languages, has been held on each Sunday during the year The congregation, averaging perhaps 100 for the year, are chiefly made up of half-breeds and white men who have married Indian women.

"A Sunday-school for children is held every Sunday afternoon, with an average attendance of nearly 100. The regularity of the scholars here is much greater than in the dayschools, and a large portion of them have committed to memory the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, with many verses of Scripture and hymns. The singing-schools, one in English and one in Dakota, were held weekly during the winter and very largely attended.

"The work, both educational and missionary, has only been in operation for two years. The beneficial results of both are manifest, and often spoken of by those who lived on the agency before it enjoyed these advantages. The uncertainty of these Indians remaining where they are, and the constant expectation of orders for the removal of the agency for the past year and a half, have prevented the building of branch stations, and development of the work in other ways, in order to reach the Indians in their camps."

CRIMES.

On 17th last March the body of a white man, named Towers, who had been murdered, was found near the agency. The military authorities took charge of the body, and to this day it is not known whether the murder was committed by whites or Indians.

About two months ago (June 10) a mail-carrier, named Fosdick, was killed on the Kearney road to Black Hills, about 30 miles northeast of agency. This murder was thoroughly investigated by Lieutenant Schwatka, United States Army, who informs me that it must have been the work of white men-probably horse-thieves.

Since last fall these agency Indians have had stolen by the Black Hills horse-thieves about 400 head of ponies. No recoveries or recaptures of these ponies have been made. The hills afford a ready market for stolen stock, and an Indian's chances of recovering any of his property taken there amount to nothing, as was demonstrated some time ago. Steps have been taken by the military authorities to stop this thieving, which I am glad to say have resulted satisfactorily. On the 26th of July a white man stole 28 ponies belonging to the Indians. He was overtaken by an Indian named Crazy Hawk, who recovered all the ponies, and owing to the youth of the thief (about 20 years old) spared his life. The thief was subsequently arrested and is now held by military authorities here. Whether he will be punished by the courts remains to be seen.

These are all the crimes that have come to my knowledge. It is impossible for me to state in my statistical report the number of Indians and whites killed during the year, as that occurred during a state of war remote from this agency.

This section of country seems to be entirely beyond the realms of law. The agency is in an unorganized county in Nebraska, and the State authorities have never, to my knowledge, taken cognizance of a single offense committed in this vicinity. The United States district attorney for Nebraska (or the district in which it is located) informed me that he could take cognizance of but few offenses or crimes affecting Indians, for the reason that a decision of the United States district judge held that this, being in the State of Nebraska, was not Indian country, and hence the United States court had no jurisdiction. Thus it is that crimes go unpunished and a premium put upon their commission. The State courts do not and the United State courts will not enforce laws here. I have heard that there is a contrary decision of the United States Supreme Court which would reach just this case; if so, it shall be put in practical operation. Were it not for the presence and co-operation of the military authorities there would be no restraint upon evil-doers whatever.

STATUS OF WHITES AND MIXED-BLOODS.

It seems pretty clear that the Department recognizes mixed-bloods as generally entitled to the rights of full-blood Indians; this should carry with it corresponding restrictions. While many of them are industrious and conduct themselves properly, others are indolent, get drunk whenever they can get whisky, do nothing whatever, and will not so long as they can be fed and clothed at the expense of the Government. It seems to me that they (able-bodied males) should only receive aid from the Government when habitually engaged in working for themselves; also when they voluntarily remove from the reservation or from among the Indians, they should thereafter be debarred from sharing in the gratuities from the Govern

ment.

The status of the whites living among the Indians is even more anomalous than that of the mixed-bloods. It appears that the Department has consented that all those whites who

allowed to do it with. At the time I assumed charge, in September last, nothing had been done by my predecessor except to remove the property to this point, which, with his limited force of men, was all that he could do. Although very late in the season to procure hay, I succeeded in getting a sufficient quantity to carry our animals through the past winter. Such as I did get was of a poor quality, and was found in the ravines near the agency. Most of the buildings being entirely new, were in good condition. Those removed from the old agency-four in number-I found unfinished and really unfit for use; but, with such material as I have had at my command, I have completed them so as to be of service as shops and stables.

Two buildings yet remain at the old agency. These are constructed of cottonwood, and are in a fair condition, and, if removed, could be made of service here. Permission was granted last fall for their removal, but so late that it was impossible to do so, except at a great cost; therefore I waited until this summer, and just as I was about to do this work by contract I was ordered to suspend action until further orders. Having only one warehouse at this agency, I find it a very difficult matter to protect all the property intrusted to my charge. I would recommend that either the buildings above referred to be removed, or new ones erected in their place. I have, in a special report to the Department, stated all my reasons for this recommendation.

I have been unable (for the want of a proper building from which to issue) to carry out the instructions regarding the new system of issuing rations to heads of families instead of to bands. I am anxious to do this just as soon as possible, as I believe it is the only true mode of issuing to Indians, as each person would receive his equal share; whereas, in the present way, many, and especially the old and sick, go without.

A cattle-corral, 150 by 300 feet, has been built by the agency employés, aided by a few of the Indians. This is constructed of logs, and will do very well until I am able to build one of sawed lumber. In connection with this corral I have set up a pair of Fairbanks' standard scales, and am prepared to weigh all cattle received at this agency.

In November last a school was opened at this agency, under charge of the Rev. H. Burt, missionary of the Protestant Episcopal Church. The attendance has been good, the average being 25 from that to the present time. Such of the children as have attended regularly have made good progress in their studies. These Indians are favorably inclined toward the school, and many of them have shown a lively interest in the work, and seem to be anxious to have their children instructed. Two school-houses, 20 by 30, were erected by the Government in June last, and as yet have not been occupied; one in the camp at the mouth of White River, the other at Standing Cloud's camp, about 7 miles from here, on White River. In June last a fine church-edifice was commenced at this agency and completed in July. This building was erected by the mission of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and is 20 by 40 feet. Regular services have been held here each Sunday by the Rev. Mr. Burt, in the morning and afternoon in Dakota and in the evening in English. The general health of these Indians has been good during the past year. Very respectfully, your obedient servant.

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

HENRY E. GREGORY,
United States Indian Agent.

RED CLOUD AGENCY, NEBRASKA,

August 25, 1877.

SIR: In accordance with instructions relative to annual reports of Indian agents, I have the honor to submit the following:

I first saw this agency on the 27th day of June last, and on the 1st day of July relieved Lieut. C. A. Johnson, acting United States Indian agent under the military administration of affairs at Red Cloud. I found about 6,700 Indians camped within a radius of two or three miles from the agency, including the northern band of Arapahoes and Crazy Horse's band of wild Northern Sioux, and ten or fifteen lodges of Cheyennes.

Owing to the disturbances that have lately occurred in this country, and the necessity for military interference, the occupation of the Black Hills country by miners, and the anticipated change of the location of their agency to the Missouri River, the Indians keep up a fever of excitement; but, notwithstanding, I find them generally disposed to be quiet and orderly, and whatever may have been their desires and hopes, and however great their final disappointment, they have accepted the situation with considerable grace, and express their determination to benceforth travel the white man's road." (Crazy Horse is an exception, and will be mentioned hereafter,) and should the new agency be fortunately situated in reference to agriculture and stock-raising, I believe a large number will try and do something for themselves. Many of them are now trying to cultivate patches of land along the little streams adjacent to the agency. Some of them have used their hands for shovels and hoes, and have shown them to me worn and bleeding. My acquaintance with them has been brief, and I find no records of the past in this office to assist me in making out the accompanying statistics, and to furnish me other useful information.

It appears to me, where these Indians are now located, that there is little opportunity to improve them in industry and morals; nor do I think there has been any improvement in either respect during the last year, and for the following reasons: There is not enough tillable land to cultivate. The seasons are generally too dry, and irrigating impracticable. The active military operations during the past year have brought them under more wholesome restraint, and driven them toward civilization, but are not expected otherwise to improve their morals.

The settling of the Black Hills and country beyond has opened a highway through the agency, and a large number of people are coming and going, making it impossible to pre. vent traffic in ardent spirits, arms, and ammunition, horse-stealing, &c.

The agency is not on the reservation as now defined, but in the State of Nebraska, under whose present legislation and the decisions of the United States courts we are unable to bring criminals to justice, and we are for all practical purposes without civil law.

The expectation on the part of the Government of moving the agency has deterred those having in charge more particularly their educational and Christian management from commencing operations. Bishop Hare informs me, however, that he will provide a school without further delay; which will be very satisfactory to the Indians, and, I believe, will be well attended.

If the Government, when it moves this agency, should be fortunate enough to find them good land, wood, water, and grass, they will, with proper assistance, most undoubtedly, as I said before, try to help themselves. Even though the effort on their part may not be very energetic at the start, it will be a movement in the right direction, and great satisfaction to the Government and the friends of the service, as well as relief to tax-payers, to know that the thousands of idle people they are now compelled to support, are even slowly working their way from pauperism to independence. If the people would reflect on the fact that the Sioux were a few years ago a powerful, independent, self-sustaining nation, and have been brought to poverty by the loss of their country and the destruction of their game, they would certainly have charity enough to be patient, if they knew the work of reconstruction was radical and certain, and a prospect of relief in the future.

When I arrived at this agency, I found Crazy Horse and his band, consisting of about 1,100 people, encamped two miles north of the agency; he has in his band Little Big Man, and several other noted chiefs. Crazy Horse manifests a sullen, morose disposition; evidently a man of small capacity, brought into notoriety by his stubborn will and brute courage. His dictatorial manners, and disregard for the comfort of his people, have caused dissatisfaction among them, and his want of truthfulness with the military department has rendered him unpopular with the leading men of his band, who have drawn off from him, and say they are determined to carry out their promise with General Crook, and their original intention to obey orders and keep the peace. All the other Sioux bands are doing well, and it seems hardly possible that they will ever take up arms again.

About 1,100 Arapahoes under Black Coal are attached to this agency, and camped in the neighborhood; they are most thoroughly subjugated, peaceable, and obedient to every order; they will submit to almost anything rather than go to their southern agency, believing they will all die in a few years in that miasmatic country.

Regretting the limited opportunity for making a more full and complete report, I am, Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

JAMES IRWIN, United States Indian Agent.

SISSETON AGENCY, DAKOTA,

September 4, 1877.

SIR: I have this day turned over to my successor all of the property in my possession belonging to the United States, and also property belonging to Indians stored in the Government warehouse or otherwise under my charge, and have therefore the honor of submitting this my final report of operations at this agency since it has been under my charge. I assumed the duties of this agency May 4, 1875, relieving Rev. M. N. Adams. I found the affairs of the agency in an embarrassed condition, growing out of difficulties between the agent and Indians, and also from the failure of the Department to provide sufficient competent help to systematize and successfully administer the complicated business of the agency. I found the system of issuing supplies to Indians on account of labor performed or produce delivered under way here; found ledger-accounts opened with Indians who had debits and credits; found them charged on a memorandum day-book in single entry with supplies received and credited, with labor performed, &c., but as the books were months in arrears, it was impossible to tell the standing of the Indians, or the condition of accounts, from them, and it was not until the following fall, when the accounts had been closed, and the system changed to a double-entry system and new ledger-accounts opened, that the business of the agency was fairly started.

Accounts are kept with the United States Indian Department and with each individual Indian who is able-bodied, and the strictest care taken to make no issue until the Indian has credit. These books are balanced semi-annually, and the Department accounts closed each fiscal year. Any officer visiting this agency can, by a few hours' examination, determine the status of the agency, and ascertain the standing of the Indians who labor. I recommend the continuance of this system here, and respectfully suggest that my successor should be allowed an additional clerk or office assistant to enable him to keep the business up. The position of store-keeper and bookkeeper have heretofore been filled by one person. The work to be done is more than sufficient for two persons, and my successor should be allowed an additional $800 for pay of employés, so as to secure the services of a thoroughly competent person.

Monthly census-rolls, showing the number of families, the number in the family, and the goods and supplies issued each month, have been kept by me, and are left as agency records. The preparation of these lists, their correction and comparison each month, involve much labor, but they are necessary to enable the agent to properly distribute the supplies on hand, to discover the absence of Indians, &c., and serve to protect him in case any question is raised as to the distribution of supplies. I consider this a valuable feature of our accounts here, and recommend its continuance here, and its introduction at the other Indian agencies.

In addition to this, a warehouse-ledger, giving name and quantity of articles received and issued, is kept, accounts being kept in the name of the articles, as flour, pork, &c. This ledger should be balanced weekly, but owing to the pressure of work on hand it has been impossible.

I suggest that, in addition to your regular weekly supply reports, it would be well to have a weekly report covering all articles received and issued. These reports to be verified by the receipts of the individuals receiving the supplies, and accompanied by the certificate of the storekeeper that the supplies were actually and bona fide issued to the person named by order of the agent or authorized clerk. This would add to the work, but a competent, industrious storekeeper could do it. By adopting this system, any irregularities in issues or loss of supplies could easily be detected.

Receipts for all supplies issued by me since I have been here are on file in the agency, office, and constitute a portion of the records thereof, and as such turned over to my suc cessor. Bills of goods purchased and paid for by me are itemized in full in the cash-book, and bills paid by certified vouchers itemized in the journal day-book, all being posted to proper ledger accounts. Property on hand is shown by warehouse-ledger, and by office, smith, miller, carpenter, and manual-labor-school inventories. The triplicate copies of quarterly accounts I retain for my own protection.

The disposition of these Indians is still friendly, and their temper under present distressing circumstances admirable. I cannot too highly commend their fortitude and patience in enduring hunger waiting the arrival of supplies. The turbulence and insubordination prev alent under my predecessor's administration have disappeared.

*

The enforcement of the policy of dealing with individuals, and not recognizing tribal relations, and ignoring chiefs, is generally acceptable to the people, but is bitterly opposed by the recognized head chief here. He deserves well of the Government for his attitude in the outbreak of 1862, and for what he has done by way of example for this people; but to allow him or any other Indian to exercise authority, decide the proper interpretation of treaties, or determine how and to whom to issue supplies, would be suicidal. My successor should be sustained by all the influence and power at your command in breaking away from chiefs and headmen, and in rewarding individual merit. The system of requiring agents to take the receipts of chiefs and headmen for all goods and supplies received and issued should be abandoned, and the individual receipts of the parties receiving the goods substituted. The practice of taking their receipts adds greatly to their importance. It enables them to dictate terms often, and places the agent at their mercy. On two or three occasions, Gabriel Renville and other men he controls have refused to sign vouchers when the goods were issued, because he wanted them issued to relatives and friends who were not justly entitled to them. The sentiment of the people in each case compelled him to sign the vouchers. You can readily see that if you desire agents to cease the recognition of chiefs, you must devise some methods of making agents independent of them in obtaining vouchers for property returns. I commend this subject to your earnest consideration.

I cannot part with these Indians without urging upon you to secure a modification by Congress of that provision of their treaty which makes the plowing, fencing, residence upon for five years, and the cultivation of fifty acres of land a condition of receiving a patent for 160 acres. After a careful study of the history of the treaty, and having learned something of the character of the white men who were chiefly instrumental in making the treaty, viz, James R. Brown and Benjamin Thompson, it is my deliberate judgment that they intended to prevent Indians obtaining patents, and this is the accepted opinion among intelligent Indians and others cognizant of the facts. If it is right to give title to intelligent white men after five years' residence, erection of houses, and no stipulated number of acres under cultivation, is it just to establish such a burdensome prerequisite for an Indian ignorant of industrial arts? With the limited resources at their command, not one in fifty can comply with its provisions.