Cochise, the Apache chief was at last willing to cease his depredations, and would use his influence with his people to bring them upon a reservation, if they could be protected in going to such reservation, or while remaining thereon. To afford him an opportunity to manifest his good faith in making such offers, Hon. Vincent Colyer Secretary of the board of Indian commissioners was directed to visit the Territory of Arizona, and to offer Cochise the protection of the Government, while he should endeavor to bring his people upon a reservation.
Mr. Colyer set aside three temporary reservations for the purpose designated, and made encouraging progress toward inducing the Indians to enter upon them. Instructions have been given the military authorities to co-operate with the officers of the Indian Bureau, and to advise the Apaches that if they will enter upon the reservation provided them, in good faith, and live thereon peaceably; they will receive the aid and protection of the Government, but if they do not do so, and evince any disposition to renew their depredations, they will be promptly punished. The Indian agents have also been instructed to acquaint the Indians with the designs of the Government concerning them. It is sincerely hoped that these efforts will prove successful in the early accomplishment of the purpose designed. It is a subject of profound regret that so great misunderstanding of the temper and disposition of the Indians in Arizona should exist and it is hoped that both the Indians and the white settlers will so act in future as to give no ground for complaint.
Efforts are now being made to remove the Flatheads and Pend d'Oreilles from their location in the Bitter Root Valley, Montana, to the general reservation at Jocko Lake. Under the terms of the treaty of 1855, the President has declared it unnecessary to set aside any portion of that valley for a reservation and has ordered the removal of the Indians now residing there to the general reservation at Jocko Lake, after paying them for their improvements but allowing any Indians who may so desire to remain and become citizens granting them all the privileges of citizens under the homestead and pre-emption laws. This plan will when perfected, open up the valuable lands in the Bitter Root Valley to white settlement and it will doubtless be speedily settled up.
The attention of Congress has been heretofore invited to the fact that some portions of certain reservations which contain more land than the Indians need should, with their consent, be sold at their fair market value, and the proceeds applied to improvements such as building houses, fencing and breaking land, the purchase of implements and stock and the establishment of industrial and other schools. The details of this subject will be found in the report of Superintendent Janney and show that the Omahas, whose reservation contains 205,000 acres, have, by petition expressed a wish to sell from the most western portion of their reservation 50,000 acres as near as can be separated
