Page 320

320       REPORT    OF COMMISSIONER       OF INDIAN     AFFAIRS. 
friendly terms with their white neighbors; have been blessed with an abundant
har- 
vest; have good, comfortable houses, and are making permanent improvements
on 
their farms; and, morally and socially, will compare with any community of
whites in 
the United States. 
Just before my arrival here, a few years ago, five of these Indians were
hung for 
murdering white men; and they had nothing to eat or wear, and were embittered
against the whites. I treated them kindly, often overlooking offenses that
should have 
been punished; and when I did punish, did so mildly, always showing them
that it 
was for their good; the consequence is that the large amount of iron which
was used 
by former agents to make handcuffs to iron prisoners with has been used by
me in the 
manufacture of plows and wagons. The guard-house likewise has fallen, and
is in 
ruins. The Bible and the plow are the great causes of all this. Compare the
cost that 
this agency has been to the cost of one month's extermination policy, and
no other argu- 
ment need be produced in favor of the humane and Christian policy of our
President. 
I am confident that a like result may be obtained with any tribe of Indians,
by a kind 
and patient treatment. They should be regarded and treated as children-with
firm- 
ness and kindness. 
During the Modoc war General Cauby telegraphed to me at Salem asking for
a com- 
pany of scouts from this agency. I telegraphed to Mr. T. F. Smith, then in
charge, to 
furnish them; and in six hours' time Mr. Smith had enlisted the company,
and was 
ready to move. Their services during the war cannot be exaggerated, as they
un- 
doubtedly saved the soldiers of Captain Hasbrouck from a total massacre at
Sorass 
Lake, May 10. They were the captors of the lava-beds, and, in fact, did all
the suc- 
cessful fighting that was done-and never forgot their duty as Christians
during the 
whole time. The day-school has been well attended, and the children have
learned 
very rapidly. The Sabbath-school continues, and our new school-house is full
to over- 
flowing every Sabbath-day. The school is taught by the employd6s and myself.
The 
Indians have their prayer-meetings, and also services of their own after
the Sabbath- 
school. They open all councils with prayer, and are manifesting their religion
not 
only by observing the forms, but by practicing in their every-day life their
professions. 
The mills are in good repair, but the saw-mill should be removed to the mountains,
where timber could be had. As it'is, we have to haul the logs the distance
of eight 
miles, and we are thus retarded in our work. 
The harvest has been abundant; and no fears need be entertained of any suffering
during the winter, for all have an abundance. 
My employes are all married men, and have families, and as they have everything
to buy, paying high prices therefor, some provision should be made for furniture
for 
them, as the treaty provides that they shall be furnished with houses and
furniture. 
They are all good men, and ready and willing to work for the good of the
Government 
and Indians, and have been selected, after lon g personal knowledge of them,
by me, 
and at the request of the Indians; and as they thus have great personal influence
with the Indians, and do much more than I could get other men to do, I am
anxious 
to retain them all, and wish to have them comfortably fixed with all they
are allowed 
by treaty. 
I have to report that the salmon-fishery at the Dalles, on the Columbia,
has been 
claimed by white men, and that the Indians are forbidden to fish tLereat.
The In- 
dians reserved the right to fish at this fishery in their treaty of June,
1855. Afterward 
they made a treaty to visit the fishery on passes from their agent; but from
some 
cause the treaty, as approved, makes them to give up their right. I have
investigated 
this matter, and have the evidence of the persons who interpreted to the
Indians that 
nothing was said as to their giving up this right; and I am therefore fully
satisfied 
that the treaty is a great wrong, and that the fishery rightfully belongs
to these peo- 
ple ; and I trust that measures will be at once taken to restore it to them.
For report of day-school see report of teacher, herewith transmitted. 
I would also call attention to the report of physician, herewith transmitted.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
JOHN SMITH, 
United States Jndian Agent. 
Hon. COMMISSIONER INDIAN AFFAIRS, 
Washington, D. C. 
73. 
OFFICE GRAND RONDO INDIAN AGENCY, OREGON, 
September 10, 1873. 
SIn: I have the honor to submit this my second annual report of the condition
of 
affairs of this agency. 
The prominent features of progress apparent for the past year are an increased
extent 
of Indian farms, many new houses, barns, granaries, fencing, and improvements
of sub-