Page 286

286       REPORT     OF COMMISSIONER       OF INDIAN    AFFAIRS. 
that it will take time, a civilizing and Christianizing influence thrown
around them to 
free them from it. 
From reports I had concerning their houses I was prepared to see desolation
and bar- 
renness, but I am free to acknowledge I had not, in the worst pictures I
had formed, 
imagined anything nearly so desolate as it appeared when there, and as it
was in fact. 
Their condition as to locality and surroundings you ,4re fully advised of
in previous 
reports. 
I am pleased to advise the Department that there is, on the part of the Indians
of 
the different villages, a growing disposition to harmonize one with the other.
There 
is at present a better feeling existing than for some years back. As I advised
you in my former reports, the Oreybes, those Indians affected with a bad
feeling toward 
the other villages, and toward the agent, are now, inclined to be friendly,
and seem 
very anxious that I should go among them to live. 
In previous reports I strongly recommended the removal of the Moquis to a
more 
suitable place for farming and grazing. I also sent in an estimate fox funds
to build 
agency-house, school-house, mill, to open asequias, &c. I have received
$1,500 for the 
purpose of erecting agency building and one school-house; I have also received
per- 
mission from the honorable Commilsioner to build at the place to which I
will remove 
the Moquis; I have already commenced operations preparatory to building.
I would earnestly recommend that the Department aid these Indians to the
extent 
of my estimate in opening up this place and in building a mill, &c. I
believe that if 
the Government would assist them in establishing themselves in this new place
that it 
will prove the most economical plan; for by helping them now, in this way,
you will 
enable them to help themselves, and can sooner withdraw the aid the Department
so 
kindly furnishes them now. At the expiration of from three to five years,
at the 
furthest, they would not require help from the Government, and be in a better
condi- 
tion than they are at present with assistance. I base my belief upon the
fact that 
they are an industrious people, and if they are assisted with a start in
a good place, 
where their labor will be rewarded by good crops, they would have abundance
for home 
consumption and plenty to dispose of ; while the little assistance rendered
them by 
the Government, although thankfully received by them, does not in reality
do them 
much good. 
Their crop, promising so fair in the early part of the season resulted in
little better 
than a failure. I fear there will be some suffering among them this winter
and spring. 
I shall employ the Moquis in the erection of buildings, which will greatly
relieve their 
sufferings. 
They are much pleased (,hat they are to receive sheep this year. I would
heartily 
recommend that as long as it is the pleasure of the Department to aid these
people 
that it be in this way. Aside from a little brown muslin, let them have stock,
as it 
tends to a more substantial good than anything else. 
These Indians should have more schools. There is one in operation with a
good aver- 
age attendance. The children have made excellent progress in their studies.
I have 
just purchased a blackboard for use in the school, an article long needed.
I hope in a 
short time to report more favorable on my school as soon as we get into our
new school- 
house. Three other schools could be started, with a good attendance, one
at each of 
the other pueblos. 
The health of the Moquis is good. They live lives of virtue; consequently
they are 
free from disease. It is impossible for me at this time to estimate the amount
of land 
farmed by the Moquis, as it is in patches and scattered over a great deal
of territory. 
I hope soon to make an improvement, as soon as I can get them to move to
their new 
place, where I will give to each family a little farm, adjoining one another;
have all 
the land farmed in a body, so we can know just what they are doing. 
Regretting my report has been so long delayed, I am, sir, very respectfully,
your 
obedient servant, 
W. S. DEFREES, 
United States Indian Agent for Moqei Pueblo Indians. 
Hon. E. P. SMITH, 
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. 
58. 
OFFICE oF AGENcY Rio VERDE INDIAN RESERVATION, ARZ. TER., 
September 1, 1873. 
Hon. E. P. SMITH, 
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. 
SIR : I have the honor to submit the following report of the condition of
affairs at 
this agency during the past year: 
Shortly after my last annual report, it having been attempted by General
Crook to