870 THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 



OKLAHOMA. 



When my last report was made the time and circumstances were auspicious for the 

 adoption of these suggestions, if Congress entertained them at all, for the reason that 

 at that time the Indians west of 98 degrees, especially the Cheyennes and Arapahoes, 

 had been severely admonished by the Government, by a display of military force, that 

 they would no louger be permitted to obstruct those of their tribe who desired to adopt 

 the white man's way. To this admonition almost universal heed was given, and a 

 large number at once began to prepare for settling down and cultivating the soil. In 

 consequence of this recent change in their wishes and habits, very many houses have 

 been erected and a large acreage of sod broken and extensive crops cultivated. A 

 year ago these Indians had less to attach them to their homes than they now have, 

 and therefore their removal east would have been less distasteful then than now. 

 Nevertheless, as the distance is short and the lands to which they might be moved are 

 much superior to those which they now occupy, I doubt not that, by paying them 

 for their improvements or by making similar improvements on their new homes, they 

 would cheerfully obey the wish of Congress should that body conclude to remove them 

 to Oklahoma or to some other fertile unoccupied lands east of 98 degrees. During the 

 last twelve months these Indians have not only made rapid progress in farming, but 

 also in a disposition to have their children educated, more than two-thirds of the 

 Cheyenne and nearly all the Arapaho children having been enrolled in school. I am 

 recently and reliably informed by a leading missionary and Indian educator that if 

 sufficient buildings are furnished all of their children of school age will be at school 

 in the course of another year. Great efforts have been made by these Indians, and 

 far more has been accomplished in the last year in the way of farming than ever be- 

 fore. At this time a general wish prevails among them for the construction of dwell- 

 ing-houses. All these facts taken into consideration, it becomes apparent that if it 

 should be the desire of Congress to dispose of this section of the Indian Territory, it 

 will be attended with embarrassment even now, and of course, as the Indians open 

 and improve farms and build houses and prepare to live, they will become more 

 attached to their homes and less disposed to emigrate, even to better lands which are 

 but a short distance away. 



My apology, if apology is needed, for presenting these facts and suggestions some- 

 what earnestly, arises from my deep conviction that the proposition to throw open 

 Oklahoma to white settlement, surrounded as it is by Indians on three sides, would 

 be an experiment dangerous to all concerned, and especially would the Indians west 

 ot Oklahoma be abraded and eventually obliterated by the surging waves of white 

 population striking upon them from all directions. This subject is of very great 

 importance; and in view of the persistent efforts which have been made by parties 

 more or less organized to possess themselves of lands within the Indian Territory re- 

 gardless of law and the rights of these Indians, and in view, too, of the action of a 

 large number of Representatives as expressed by bills presented and speeches made 

 in Congress, I feel it my duty especially to invoke your consideration of the subject, 

 not only as a matter of justice and right and the interest of the Indians, but also as 

 a respectful recognition of the demands of those Representatives whose opinions and 

 views are entitled to the highest respect. 



I therefore recommend, as a preliminary step, that Congress authorize the Depart- 

 ment to appoint a commission, who shall visit the Cheyennes and Arapahoes, the 

 Wichitas and the Kiowas, Comanches and Apaches, in the Indian Territory, to ascer- 

 tain their views with reference to the subject of removal to lands in said Territory 

 east of 98 degrees. 



If any portion of the Indian Territory is to be opened to white settlement, then I 

 think the suggestions which I have offered are the most practical and would cause 

 the least possible dissatisfaction and injury to the Indians. Those of the Western 

 tribes who would be immediately affected by this action could suffer only temporary 

 inconvenience by removal. The same improvements which they now have could 

 easily be made for them and at little expense in their new home, and the improve- 



