Wigwam and War-path Or the Royal Chief in Chains Part 64

Klamath Mill is a monument of pride, and has done much to redeem the reputation of our department; and I propose, when I retire, to leave every reservation supplied with substantial improvements of like character. Klamath flour-mill is now under way, and will grind the growing crops.

Going out of the ordinary groove, and wis.h.i.+ng you to be fully posted about such transactions, is my apology for inflicting this long communication.

Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, A. B. MEACHAM, _Supt. Indian Affairs in Oregon_.

HON. E. D. PARKER, _Commissioner, etc., Was.h.i.+ngton, D. C._

"A."

I respectfully ask for instruction in regard to Indian lands; and as the time for allotment is near at hand, it is necessary that some points be settled, for instance:--

_First._ Where there is more land suitable for settlement on a reservation than is required to fulfil treaty stipulations, shall more than the said stipulated number of acres be set apart to the individual Indian?

Some of the reservations will have an excess, and others will fall short of the amount required to comply with treaty stipulations. In some instances, where the excess is small, it would seem proper to divide _pro rata_. It does not appear that any of these tribes are on the _increase_; hence no necessity exists for lands to be held in reserve to any considerable amount for future allotment. When possible, I would favor giving them more than the treaty calls for.

_Second._ When less land than is necessary to comply with treaty is found, must the number of acres be cut down so that a proportionate allotment can be made? Or may unoccupied government lands outside be allotted to Indians belonging to the reservation?

Instances will occur of this kind, as at Warm Springs, where insufficient lands can be found, and a few families who are well advanced and capable of taking care of themselves could be located outside. I am in favor of that plan, and suggest, if approved, some instructions be given the land officers, so that said location can be legally made.

_Third._ May Indians not on reservation be allotted lands on reservation, and may they be allotted government lands not on reservation?

There are Indians in this State, that have never yet been brought in, that can be induced to locate under the system of allotment. And when all parties consent, they should be allowed to do so. Again, some of these people have advanced sufficiently, by being among white persons, to locate and appreciate a home. And there are a few instances where the whites would not object to their being located among them.

They _must have homes_ allotted them somewhere, and the sooner it is done the better for the Indians.

_Fourth._ Are not Indians who have never been on reservation, citizens, under late amendments to the const.i.tution; and have they not the right, without further legislation, to locate lands, and do all other acts that other citizens may rightfully do?

I am fully aware of the political magnitude of this question; but while I am "superintendent" for the Indians in Oregon, they shall have all their rights if in my power to secure them, whether on or off reservations.

_Fifth._ Are white men or half-breeds, who are husbands of Indian women, who do now belong, or have belonged, to any reservation, considered as Indians, by virtue of their marriage to said Indian women in making the allotment of lands?

I understand that all half-breed men living with Indians on reservations are considered Indians (but always allowed, nevertheless, to vote at all _white men's elections_). But there are several Indian women, in various parts of the country, who are married to white and half-breed men, and the question is asked, whether they are not ent.i.tled to land.

Again, there are Indian women living with white men, but not married, who have children that should have some provision made for them.

_Sixth._ May the allotment be made immediately on completion of survey, without waiting for survey to be approved?

For many reasons it is desirable that the allotment be made as early as possible, so that the people may prepare for winter.

They are very impatient, and I hope no unnecessary delay will be made.

_Seventh._ Is a record to be made by and in local land office of surveys and several allotments? Is record of allotment to be made in county records, and if so, how is the expense to be met?

These people are soon to be as other citizens, and stand on equal footing. I have no doubt about the propriety and necessity for making these records, but so as to close up all the gaps, I want to be instructed to have it done.

A. B. MEACHAM, _Superintendent Indian Affairs in Oregon_.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, WAs.h.i.+NGTON, D. C., June 28, 1871.

SIR:--I have received your communication of the 23d ultimo, asking, among other things, instructions concerning certain questions which present themselves for settlement in the allotment of lands in severalty to Indians upon reservations in the State of Oregon.

In reply to the first inquiry therein propounded, you are informed that, where there is more land suitable for settlement on a reservation than is required to fulfil treaty stipulations, more than the number of acres named in said treaty cannot be set apart to each individual Indian, but the excess must be held in common for the benefit of the whole tribe or band occupying the reservation.

Secondly. Where less land is found upon a reservation than is necessary to give to each individual or family the full quant.i.ty specified in the treaty, the number of acres so allotted may be reduced so as to give each person or family a proportionate share of the entire quant.i.ty available for purposes of allotment; but unoccupied government lands lying outside of the boundaries of the reservation cannot be used to complete the quant.i.ty required to fulfil the treaty stipulation.

Thirdly. Indians not residing on a reservation cannot receive allotments of lands thereon, neither will unoccupied public lands be allotted to them.

Fourthly. Indians residing on a reservation, and living in a tribal capacity, do not become citizens of the United States by virtue of any of the recent amendments to the const.i.tution of the United States. Their political status is in no wise affected by such amendments.

Fifthly. In case where white men or half-breeds have married Indian women, and said white men or half-breeds have been adopted into and are considered members of the tribe, and are living with their families on the tribal reservation, allotments may be made to them in the same manner as if they were native Indians.

In cases where Indian women are married to white or other men, and do not now live on or remove to a tribal reservation previous to the time of making the allotments, they will not be ent.i.tled to receive land in severalty.

The children of Indian women living with but not married to white men will not be allowed selections of land unless they shall take up their residence with the tribe upon the reservation.

Sixthly. The allotments must not be made until subdivisional surveys are completed and approved by the proper authority.

Seventhly. No record is necessary to be made in the local land office, or the county records of the county or counties wherein the several reservations are situated of the survey or allotment thereof.

Your suggestions regarding the erection and repair of mills and mill-dams, etc., and the application of funds therefor, will be made the subject of a future communication.

Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, E. S. PARKER, _Commissioner_.

A. B. MEACHAM, ESQ., _Supt. Indian Affairs, Salem, Oregon_.

OFFICE SUPT. INDIAN AFFAIRS, SALEM, OREGON, May 30, 1870.

CHAS. LAFOLLETTE, _Agent Grand Ronde_:--

SIR,--Mr. Tillottson reported to this office on yesterday. We have decided to proceed with the saw-mill as soon as you can have Indian laborers to a.s.sist. It is desirable that we push this enterprise, and, in order to do so, it would seem necessary for you to "_call in_" enough to make a gang of say twenty workingmen; and as soon as this is done notify Mr. Tillottson at Dallas. I have ordered all the tools required to be forwarded to you at Dayton; and have no doubt they will be awaiting your orders. I think you can send immediately without fear of disappointment. In the mean time you will arrange _subsistence_ for the Indian with my parties. It would be well also to a.s.sist Mr. Tillottson about a boarding-place. My arrangement is, that "the mechanics are to board themselves" with him; he to have the entire control of the works, we to furnish the laborers. When he is dissatisfied with the services, to certify to the time through your office, and forward to me for payment. I think it best not to transfer funds until an answer is obtained from the commissioner in regard to diverting the funds. We cannot expend or antic.i.p.ate a fund not yet remitted, as I find a rule laid down to that effect. If we meet with a favorable reply we will then proceed with the flouring-mill. You may find employment, while waiting for tools for Mr. Reinhart, at such wages as you may agree upon. Hoping you will give this enterprise sufficient attention to secure success, etc.,

I am respectfully, Your obedient servant, A. B. MEACHAM, _Supt. Indian Affairs, Oregon_.

OFFICE SUPT. INDIAN AFFAIRS, SALEM, OREGON, Dec. 19, 1874.

L. S. DYER, ESQ., _Commissary in charge Grand Ronde_:--

SIR,--Col. Thompson, surveyor, has been employed by me to a.s.sist you in making the allotment of lands on Grand Ronde.

Herewith find the only instructions furnished this office, which, together with the copies of treaties in your office, it is hoped may be sufficient guide in making the allotment.

As arranged during my late visit, all matters of dispute about priority of rights, etc., must be settled by a Board, consisting of Commissary L. S. Dyer, Col. D. P. Thompson and W. P. Eaton, or any other you may designate; if Mr. Eaton is unable to act; and, on request of the Indians, you will add to said Board three Indians, who are not _interested_ parties in any matter under consideration by your Board.