Page 455

NEW   YORK AGENCY.                     455 
put forth, and that only in a very small proportion to the amount of able-
bodied men among them; and thirdly, the largest amount of receipts were 
derived from the sales of valuable timber upon the several reservations,
which was mostly sold in the tree and below its valuation. 
Coming down to the present time, the annuity for the fulfilment of treaties
is received, increased with the Tonawandas by treaty for Kansas lands in
1857; and the Allegany and Cattaraugus Indians enjoy a receipt for lands
leased by the whites for oil purposes, in addition to their annuity. The
tim- 
ber being gone, or nearly so, from the several reservations, they do not
de- 
rive the amounts as received formerly. 
They must now more especially rely upon a better cultivation of their 
lands. Industry, in the main, does not exist with the Indians, but wants
to 
be instilled into them; and to that end I have made my most earnest requests
and recommendations to them; and that their future wealth, prosperity, and
subsistence would depend upon industry and the farming and cultivating their
lands, which are good and productive when properly tilled; and I take much
pains to refer them to some of their own people who are industrious, and
to the 
results of their efforts in the way to stimulate them to action. And perhaps
I 
should do injustice if I should not here say that many who have adopted in-
dustry and the cultivation of their lands vie in the growth of many productions
from the soil with our best farmers among the whites; and upon the Tuscarora,
Oneida, and Cattaraugus reservations there are many very enterprising far-
mers, as also a few on the other reservations. 
On the Cattaraugus reservation an annual fair is held, and they have a very
prosperous agricultural society. 
The Tonawandas have taken pattern from their neighbors at Cattaraugus, 
and they, too, have held an agricultural fair this fall, and they met with
a per- 
fect success, and its officers are encouraged and will put forth double the
ef- 
fort for their next annual fair, both to raising products and the improvement
of their stock in horses, cattle, hogs, and poultry. 
Industry on the part of the Indians needs encouragement by each and 
every means; and for many years heretofore I have endeavored to urge this
very important trait upon them.' 
The schools on the several reservations seem all to be in a prosperous 
state, with a growing manifestation by the parents that their children shall
receive an education. The school connected with the "Thomas Asylum for
Orphan and Destitute Indians," on the Cattaraugus reservation, is one
of the 
very best conducted schools that I have visited, and under its skilful and
accomplished teachers, who are certainly deserving of much praise for their
assiduous attention and much patience devoted to the direct interest of the
pupils,,and also the interest taken with its officers, the school cannot
fail of 
being successful under its present management  And for a more perfect 
statement of the same I would refer you to the report of the Rev. Asher 
Wright, which will accompany this report. Mr. Wright's connexion with 
the Indians at that station is almost invaluable, from his kindness and good
advice to them. 
At this point I would say that Nichblson H. Parker, United States inter-
preter, rendered good services in the conduct of the agency, and has had
much experience as such, is a scholar, and a person who enjoys the confi-
dence of his brothers throughout the entire agency, and in whorq I have the
most implicit confidence, and think him a capable and suitable man for the
office he holds. 
The amount of funds I received from the United States Treasurer for ful-
filling treaties with the Senecas of the State of New York, residing on the
Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Tonawanda reservations, was eleven thousand 
eight hundred and eighty-nine dollars and ninety-four cents, ($11,889 94,)