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SIOUX OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 
The saw mill has been improved and put in-complete operation, 
but the water is low. The Indians are clamorous for lumber, and 
cannot be supplied fast-enough. The grist mill will be ready to run 
in a few days. 
I again repeat, that much of this summer's work has been done on 
credit. This cannot be continued, and the laborers must be discharged 
and the work stopped unless a different system is commenced. 
The blacksmith's department has been carried on by one smith only, 
without an assistant, most of the summer, owing to the allowed salary 
being insufficient. We have now a second smith and an assistant, on 
trial for one month, to determine whether they can live on the present 
salary. 
As usual, I have to report that there is no dwelling house for the 
agent, no office, no council house, and no interpreter's house. 
The Indian crops are short; and some, having no corn at all, will 
be obliged to leave the reserve to subsist during the winter. 
As to the good conduct of the Indians I cannot boast. We have 
had more trouble with them the past three or four years than I have 
known in thirty-four years that I have lived with them. 
Scythes were supplied to about twenty, to cut hay fbr their horses; 
but some of them broke or sold their scythes, leaving their horses to 
hunt food for themselves in the winter. For those that made hay, I 
have had the agency teams assist in hauling. 
I will now proceed to state, in corroboration of my report, the 
amounts due, since the commencement of Major Murphy's last term, 
for agricultural, civilization, and school purposespander the treaties of
1837 and 1851, and the amounts placed in his hands, and expended. 
The balance shows what remains with the Indian Department un- 
applied. 
Under treaty of 1837: 
Amount of education money returned, and agricultural, 
into the sub-treasury by A. J. Bruce .....................$41,000 00 
Amount due the Indians upon A. J. Bruce's abstracts 
on his last settlement ................................  2,500 00 
Under treaty of 1851: 
For manual labor, schools, mills, &c....... ...........30,000 00 
Civilization and agriculture ................................... 60,000 00
Education.......................................30,000 00 
163,500 00 
Paid over to and expended by agent Murphy: 
Second quarter 1853...................$14,657 60 
Fourth quarter 1853.....................5,125 00 
Second quarter 1854..................... 10,)49 50 
Third quarter 1854 .........................6,390 57 
First  quarter 1855 ................................  500  00 
Second quarter 1855...............................05,964 42 
Third quarter 1855......................7,721 00 
Fourth quarter 1855 ................................ 4634 91 
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