winter season. Their resources for subsistence are very limited; and, from the losses in property they have sustained, and the partial failure to obtain this season the usual quantity of salmon, through scarcity in the Columbia river and its tributaries, they will absolutely require some assistance from the government during the coming autumn and winter months. They have been partially subsisted by the government during the last year. A number of this tribe manifest a strong desire to engage in agricultural pursuits, and during the last year have cultivated a small tract of land, but with not much success, owing to the unfavorable season.

The Wascos occupy a small tract of country near to and adjoining the Dalles, and a large portion of their land is included in the military reservation at Fort Dalles. Their near proximity to the military post and the numerous white settlers surrounding and encroaching upon their limited lands render their removal exceedingly necessary to their present and future well being; most of them manifest a decided inclination to cultivate and improve the soil they possess, and are not unskillful in some kinds of agricultural labor. This season they have about twenty acres under cultivation. A treaty was made with the Wascos by the late superintendent, Joel Palmer, on the 25th day of June, 1855, and ever subsequently they have expressed much solicitude to comply, on their part, with its terms and conditions. In my opinion, the Wascos should be removed to the reservation designated in the treaty; and so urgent is this necessity for maintaining peace with them and other tribes that have uniformally been friendly, that I have been engaged in preparations for their removal early in the autumn. I deem it my duty most earnestly to recommend the early ratification of the treaty to which I have referred. While continued on their present location they will be subjected, as they have been, to be plundered of their crops by vicious whites and half-breeds, who likewise furnish them with liquors, thus begetting among them continual irritation, and discontent and open broils. One fact to which I wish to invite attention is, that, throughout the recent Indian difficulties, they steadfastly resisted every inducement offered them by the hostile Indians to participate in the disturbances, and but a single one took part in any movement against the whites or their property, and this one was forced to do so against, as I have good reason to believe, his inclinations, and even then but for a brief period of time, he having been in the Yakima country at the time of the massacre of Agent Bolen, where he was forcibly detained and prevented from returning to the Dalles. I apprehend that, unless the treaty made with the Wascos by Superintendent Palmer is ratified, it will be impossible hereafter to make with them another treaty so favorable to the government. Although their leading men express to me their willingness to abide by the treaty, they declare their regrets that they did not obtain a larger scope of country than that allotted them thereby. During the past year they have been partially subsisted by the government; and good policy, and their inability to provide sufficiently for their own maintenance, since their lands are so generally occupied by the whites, will require aid to be extended to them in the

future.

The Des Chutes are now upon the Warm Spring reservation. They formally occupied that section of country between the Dalles and the Ty-ich river. This country, or all of it that is of any value, is now occupied by the whites. This tribe are and have been, with few exceptions, firm friends of the whites. They manifest a willingness to engage in agricultural pursuits, and many the present season have small tracts of land upon the reserve under cultivation I have done all in my power to encourage them to labor for their subsistence, and am gratified with the disposition they exhibit to follow my directions. I have furnished them with agricultural implements and seeds to enable them to accomplish something in behalf of their own support in the coming winter. A majority of this tribe are entitled to credit for their uniform good conduct and fidelity. They have been partially subsisted by the department the past year, and will require aid in the future, and I would urge the ratification of the treaty with the Des Chutes made by Superintendent Palmer.

The Ty-ichs are also located upon the Warm Spring reservation. They formerly occupied the Ty-ich valley and the country in its vicinity, which lies about thirty miles south of Fort Dalles. That valley is now occupied by white settlers. These Indians are now friendly and well disposed. During the recent Indian troubles the greater portion of this tribe were with the war party. They returned before the war closed, gave up their arms and property stolen from the whites, and have since been well behaved. Some of them have tilled small parcels of land upon the reservation the present year, and are deserving of praise for their industry and perseverance. They received assistance from the department last year, and will require it to be continued this year.

The John Day Rivers occupy the country in the immediate vicinity of the river bearing that name. Throughout the late war they were with the hostile party; since then they have been friendly and well disposed. They will require but little assistance from the department the present year. The resources of their country are such as to preclude the probability they will require much aid hereafter.

All of the above named tribes are included in the treaty of the 25th June, 1855, and, when placed upon the reservation, I am of opinion they will be nearly able to subsist themselves, with the improvements contemplated by the treaty and their annuities. These tribes formerly possessed large bands of horses, but their losses during the late war and the severity of the winter of 1856-'57 has reduced them to a small number. The Warm Spring reservation I deem well adapted to the Indians. The country in its immediate vicinity abounds in roots-such as kouse, la kamas, wapatoes, and wild onions, which have been a very important part of their means of subsistence. Along the base of the mountains there are abundance of various kinds of berries. The two small streams which run through the reservation abound with trout and at the mouth of these streams, where they empty into the Des Chutes, salmon are taken, although not in large quantities. The reservation and the country in its vicinity furnishes good grass sufficient for a large amount of stock. It is one of the finest grazing places east of the Cascade mountains. It is well watered and

has sufficient timber for building and other purposes. The Des Chutes and the Ty-ich Indians have been upon the reservation since March last. They are well satisfied, and seem to take great interest in improving their condition.

The Cayuses occupy a portion of the Walla-Walla valley. Their country has been the theatre of a portion of the Indian difficulties for the last year and a half. The great body of the Cayuses were active participants in the war, and their principal men its leaders. Their hostility continues unabated; and the present summer they have roamed over the country, visiting other tribes and bands, stirring up the disaffected, and encouraging the hostile to acts of open warfare. But little or no effort have they made towards provision for the winter of 1857-'58. In the past winter they obtained considerable assistance in supplies furnished by government. Their country affords, so far as I have formed my judgment, ample resources for their support. Throughout the late war a few families of this tribe have evinced the strongest evidences of firm and lasting attachment to the whites, and have, in consequence, suffered serious losses by the depredations of the hostile Indians upon their property and posses

sions.

While their country was held by the volunteer forces of Oregon and Washington they furnished the commissary departments with beef, for which they deserve to be paid at an early day.

The Walla-Wallas possess the country on both sides of the Columbia river, between Snake river and Hudson Bay fort, Walla-Walla. They were engaged in active operations against the whites in the late war. Since its termination they have generally remained in their own country, and are not now disposed to re-engage in a war against us. Prior to the commencement of the late hostilities by them, they owned large bands of horses and cattle, and were wealthy and independent. At present they are quite poor, their horses and cattle have been scattered, captured, and otherwise diminished. This tribe is making little or no effort to provide themselves with food for the winter. Last winter they were assisted by the government. They are but little inclined to engage in any kinds of labor.

The Utillas occupy the country along the river bearing that name. What I have said in reference to the majority of the Cayuse, will equally apply to this tribe. The three last named tribes are so intermarried, and occupy the country so near each other, that their interests are in common.

The Sho-sho-nies, or Snakes, are divided into many different bands, occupying different sections of country. All speak the same language. Of these Indians but very little is known. They are considered an indolent, thieving people, and those known as Diggers are of the lowest degree of the Indian race, living upon all species of insects, and sometimes eating one another. They occupy the country from Burnt river on the east to the Des Chutes river on the west, east of the Blue mountains, and as far south as California. The description given by Agent Thompson in 1854 is as near correct as any that can be given at this time.

At the Warm Spring reservation I have made such improvements

the present season as I have deemed actually demanded, in order to maintain and continue the confidence of the Indians in the faith and pledges of the government to preserve peaceable relations with them, and provide some means for their support during the next winter. With the limited means I have been able to obtain, I have broken up, fenced, and planted about forty-five acres of land, principally with potatoes, beans, and peas. From present appearances we shall realize a fair crop. I am constructing agency buildings on the reservation, and deem it necessary that I should assist the Indians in erecting cabins to protect them from the inclemency of the winter.

The following estimate will approximate near the actual number of Indians in this district and the names of their chiefs or head men.

The short time I have been in charge of this district, which is by far the largest in either Territory, and formerly in charge of two agents, the great extent of country which it covers, and the large number of Indians, renders my duties very arduous; from these facts you can learn my reasons for making a more full and detailed report. It is impossible for me at this time to give a correct estimate of funds necessary for restoring and maintaining peace in this district for the next year, but in my opinion it will require seventy-five thousand dollars.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

A. P. DENNISON,

U. S. Indian agent, northeast district Oregon Territory.

J. W. NESMITH, Esq.,

Superintendent Indian affairs, Salem, Oregon Territory.

No. 154.

SALEM, OREGON, September 22, 1857.

SIR: I seize upon the first available moment since my return from my late trip to the Flathead district to prepare my annual report for 1857, the fact of my absence on duties connected with the Indian service in the Flathead country being a sufficient apology for any delay in its preparation.

Since my last annual report, the operations in which I have been engaged have been reported in my several monthly letters, statedly written, and filed in the office of your predecessor in Washington Territory, until you sent me on the late mission to the Flathead agency; and I design occupying this report of my operations on said journey in such views and considerations as were suggested by that mission.

In entering upon the open wilderness east of the Dalles, the point of outfit and departure for all the upper counties in Oregon and Washington Territories, one is at once forcibly struck with a conviction of the uncertainty and precariousness of the truce which, by common consent of both parties, now subsists between the whites and

Indians; so unreliable is the present state of things, that even the best informed official personages in the Indian and military departments of the government can give no assurance of safety to persons and property beyond their immediate vicinities. In travelling, all parties have to exercise a constant watchfulness and care, harassed by daily reports of depredations committed by Indians not far off. I am, however, justified in saying that no depredations have been proved to have been committed during the past spring and summer seasons, up to the time of my arriving at the Dalles, the 5th instant. An universal conviction prevails among all classes of Americans, officials and others, that should a demand be made by the government for the delivery up for trial of the murderers of Sub-Agent Bolon, of Matthias, and others, the Indians would refuse, and a conflict would ensue, and a state of warfare again prevail. Such is my own conviction, and yet, nevertheless, every proper view that enters into the consideration of this delicate and serious question requires that those murderers should be demanded, fairly tried, and capitally punished, if found guilty, regardless of the consequences; but prudence requires that the military arm of the government be fully strengthened for all and any consequences following upon such proceedings.

THE NEZ PERCÉ NATION.

So far as I was able to learn, on my late trip, all the Nez Percé people have returned to that allegiance entered into with the government of their white brethren at Walla-Walla, in May, 1855. The Nez Percés are numerous and powerful; they have many horses and cattle, and a beautiful and desirable country; some of them have considerable wealth, and feel quite independent; some are quite enlightened by former missionary teachings, and by intercourse with the whites, and the friendship of all such may be fully relied upon. Such is the influence of this nation, arising from their numbers, knowledge, wealth, and central position, that not one honorable or wise effort should be neglected in securing and perpetuating their friendship for our government and people. To the undersigned the rejection of the treaty of Walla-Walla would seem a policy both fatal and foolisha measure so just and beneficial to the Indians, so easy to the whites, and necessary to the extension of our settlements; for it must be evident, even to the most stolid, that Americans will extend their settlements, regardless of the interests of Indians; and it is the province of a wise government so to direct, modify and shape inevitable events, that a weak and defenceless people should not be sufferers only by contact with a civilized and powerful race. That treaty, then, with the Nez Percés, at least, should be ratified and executed; or one similar should be negotiated with them, without delay, that their peace and prosperity may be put on a safe and permanent basis, and their good will and friendship for their white brethren and our government be perpetuated.

On the 10th of July last, as the undersigned passed through the Nez Percés country, as directed by your instructions of June 2, he took occasion to learn their state and condition, and their views upon