SIR: I have the honor to here with submit my second annual report of my official conduct of the affairs at this agency, together with a statistical report of stock, crops, etc., belonging to the Indians of the agency, having heretofore forwarded a census for year 1888. During the past fiscal year I have visited the several pueblos (nineteen in all) under the care of this agency from one to five times (the one visited but once, Zuñi); and while upon my visits have endeavored to give them such instructions as I thought would be of benefit to them. I have had much trouble in adjusting matters of difference between them and settlers in and near their villages, growing out of alleged trespassing upon the lands of one or the other, or in reference to the use of acequias (water ditches), and in some instances for cutting timber, making new roads, and for various other causes. Lawsuits have grown out of some of these disputes and have been adjusted by the courts or are still pending. LANDS. The lands occupied by these Indians upon which their pueblos (villages) are located are owned by them in fee-title, derived by grant from Spain, and dating back from one hundred to three hundred years. Some of these pueblos have purchased additional grants, and to some the United States Government has, by Executive orders of the Presidents, reserved certain lands, for grazing purposes principally. The grants, as well as the reservations, are very vague and indefinite. The boundaries are not described with any particularity, and can not be satisfactorily located; no corners or marked lines exist, and it would be a great task for a surveyor, without any information but the grant, to locate the land described. Usually certain ranges of mountains, certain mesas, or arroyas are described as the lines. The mountains, mesas, and arroyas are all alike, or frequently so, and a certain arroya may be the line, or one distant 5 miles be it; they frequently bear the same name. A range of mountains may vary the line from 1 to 5 miles. The boundary line of these lands is a matter of constant and continued dispute between the Indians and citizens. Were it not for the docility of the Indians it would lead to serious differences. The grants purchased by the Indians in most cases may possibly cover and hold land, but in some of them the same land is covered by other grants. I made a special report of one of said grants, i. e., to the pueblos of Jemez, Santano, and Zia, granted for grazing purposes. I find that the greater part of said land is covered by other grants and claimed by other parties, some of them confirmed by Congress. Wherever there is water on said grant, it is occupied or claimed by citizens, some of them having grants as aforesaid. The pueblo of Santa Clara has a large grant purchased by them unconfirmed, and parties have for several years been trespassing upon it. Having no police or authority to remove the trespassers, I am powerless to protect them-the Indians. While the original grants cover (in most cases) a large territory, the greater portion of the land is worthless and of no practical benefit. The lands that can be irrigated, and hence cultivated (without irrigation there can be no crops raised), is very limited indeed. To illustrate, the pueblo of Pojuaque has a grant that calls for 13,520 acres (one of the smallest pueblos and smallest grants); of this there is not exceeding 600 acres of cultivable land, and of this 600 acres the Indians only possess about 100, the other having been in possession of Mexicans and other settlers for many years either by purchase or occupancy. The balance of said land is only fit for grazing purposes and very poor for that. Some of the other pueblos are alike situated. Citizens and Indians are in frequent disputes over the water ditches, and law suits result therefrom. In several instances I have called upon the Hon. Thomas Smith, United States district attorney, to look after the interests of the Indians in their suits before the courts, who has invariably given prompt attention to the matter when possible, and who has always courteously and promptly responded when possible. But on account of the Territorial courts sitting at two or more places at the same time, at one of which he is obliged to attend, it has been impossible for him to attend to all of these suits. I would respectfully ask that I be authorized to employ counsel for Indian suits when it is impossible for the United States Attorney-General to attend the court in which they have a suit. And in view of the confusion of land titles, I would urgently recommend that the Indian lands be surveyed and permanent corners and marked boundaries be established; it will be the means of stopping much annoyance and many disputes. ACEQUIAS. The Indians are ignorant of engineering, and hence expend a great amount of use less labor upon their ditches, which frequently prove to be entirely useless. They also cause many disputes and quarrels by running said ditches across the land of others. A small amount expended by Government for a survey, where needed, would be of vast and lasting benefit. FARMING. While these Indians have made some progress in their farming and evince a disposition to learn the use of the few agricultural tools and implements furnished them by the Government and the few they buy, and in some of the pueblos have added to the area of territory cultivated, the great majority are forced to use the means they have for hundreds of years, and eke out a miserable existence, barely enough to keep body and soul together, frequently for months at a time living on bread made from corn pounded by hand, no game to be found, and many of them without sheep or cattle. I would respectfully recommend that these pueblos be thrown into convenient groups, and practical farmers be appointed for their instruction. It is a matter of impossibility for the agent to give much instruction on account of the location of the pueblos, Taos, in the extreme northeast of the Territory to Zuñi, in the west, bordering on Arizona, a distance of about 350 miles, the others between varying in distance from 10 to 200 miles from the agency. If the agent was furnished with a team he could give much aid to the nearest pueblos-Tesuque, Pojuaque, Nambe, Ildefonso; but without a team he can not. I think if a farmer was appointed for Zuñi; and one for Acoma, Laguna, and Isleta; one for Sandia, San Felipe, San Domingo, and Cochiti; one for Jemez, Zia, and Santano; one for Tesuque, Pojuaque, and Nambe; one for Ildefonso, Santa Clara, and San Juan; one for Picuris and Taos, that such instructions could begiven in a year or two that would advance these Indians much. And a further measure that would be of incalculable advantage would be the fencing of their agricultural lands; all of the pueblos would furnish the posts, do the work, if the Government would furnish wire necessary for fencing. If instructed, I will furnish estimate of cost. I would also recommend a small outlay for each pueblo in the purchase of fruit-trees of improved kinds. MATRONS. I would also recommend that matrons be appointed for the home instruction of these Indians, believing that more advancement would be made than by schools. SCHOOLS. At the beginning of the fiscal year 1888 there were two day schools, the salaries of whose teachers were paid by the Government. At the close of the first quarter, 1888, upon recommendation of Inspector Gardner, these schools were discontinued by your order. While it appeared to the inspector that the cost was too great for the number of pupils, I believe it was a mistake to close the school. I think if proper persons for teachers were appointed, then much good could be accomplished. These schools were located at San Felipe and at Laguna. I would recommend the re-establishment of these schools. The contract boarding school under supervision of Presbyterian Board Home Missions, for the second time, had the misfortune to lose their building by fire. In June previous to this misfortune the school was in a prosperous condition and bid fair to accomplish good. I have had no report for last quarter from this school. The Ramona School, for benefit of Jicarilla and other Indians, located at Santa Fé, has for the greater part of fiscal year had in attendance the maximum number under contract. On account of a large death per cent. among the pupils, some dissatisfaction has existed among the parents of the pupils. I do not know the cause of the mortality. I have visited the school very often during the year, and have always found the pupils well clad and well fed. The parties who control the school have had two additional buildings erected, and it is hoped that there will be no further cause for complaint. I understand that there is a disagreement among the parties in control, and this may result in serious injury to the school. I suppose the matter has been placed before you ere this. The boarding school under contract with the Catholic Bureau Indian Missions, located at Santa Fé has had a successful year. The buildings are large and commodious, pupils are well cared for, and have steadily progressed. It is under good management. The boarding school for girls located at Bernalillo, under supervision Catholic Bureau Indian Missions, has had the maximum number of pupils called for in contract, and has made marked progress. It is a model school and buildings perfect. The various day schools under contract Presbyterian Board Missions and Catholic Bureau have been more or less successful. The work in many has been done under many disadvantages, but some good has been accomplished. Thanking you for your uniform kindness and courtesy, I have the honor to be your obedient servant, The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. M. C. WILLIAMS, United States Indian Agent. REPORT OF AGENT IN NEW YORK. REPORT OF NEW YORK AGENCY. NEW YORK INDIAN AGENCY, SIR: In compliance with instructions contained in office letter dated July 1, 1888, I have the honor to submit this my second annual report of the condition of the affairs at this agency. POPULATION. From the census prepared as best I could by correspondence with the chiefs of the several tribes residing on the different reservations in this agency, I find the total number of Indians in this agency at this time to be 5,063, composed of I do not wish to guaranty this to be an accurate census, as some of the reservations are so far distant from the agency office that it is impossible for me or any of the employés of this agency to take part in the enumeration, but it is done wholly by Indians, who receive no pay for their services, and consequently are not very particular or very exact in the information requested of them. SCHOOLS. The Indian schools in this agency are supported and maintained entirely by the State of New York. The only assistance rendered by the Indians, as I am informed, is the furnishing of the fuel necessary for heating the school-houses. These schools are managed by seven local superintendents, one residing near each reservation, and all under the direction of the State superintendent of public instruction. From the reports of the local superintendents, I am led to believe there is a slow but continued improvement in the schools. The schools have been kept open through regular terms and regular hours. Appropriations have been made, and the schoolhouses upon the Cattaraugus and Allegany Reservations put in thorough repair, and three new school-houses have been erected. The following statistical table shows the attendance, etc., of the several Indian schools on the different reservations, and also the cost of maintaining the same to the State : The Thomas Orphan Asylum upon the Cattarangus Reservation is also maintained by the State at an annual expense of about $10,000. It has 100 orphan Indian cnildren, who are boarded, clothed, and educated under its care, from the several reservations in the State. This institution in my opinion is doing a lasting good among the Indians of these reservations, by training the young and ingrafting into their minds habits of cleanliness, industry, labor, and obedience to laws and rules, as well as giving them an education and teaching them the ways of civilized people. CIVILIZATION. Through the efforts of Hon. Andrew S. Draper, superintendent of public instruction, in the State of New York, a resolution was introduced into the assembly of the State of New York of which the following is a copy: Whereas this State has upon its hands what the Hon. Andrew S. Draper, superintendent of public instruction, in his annual report, very properly terms an "Indian problem," which, he says, is of no smal importance, and one which, on being examined, becomes decidedly interesting; and Whereas the said report calls the attention of the legislature to the importance of taking such action as will improve the condition of the several tribes of Indians in this State, and to the necessity of an investigation of the condition and affairs of the several tribes herein; and Whereas the exact status of the reservation land titles involves much history, and raises law questions of no little difficulty and of grave importance, not only to the Indians but to the white people as well; and Whereas we believe the subject to be one of vital importance, and the problem one which must be met and solved in the near future: Therefore, be it Resolved, That a committee of five members of this assembly be appointed by the speaker, which committee shall sit during the interval between the adjournment of this legislature and the convening of the next, at such times and places, within this State, as such committee, or a majority thereof, may deem best for the proper discharge of its duties. Resolved, That said committee is hereby charged with the duty of investigating the whole Indian question; with investigating and ascertaining the social, moral, and industrial condition of the Indians; with ascertaining the amount of land cultivated and uncultivated on their respective reservations; with the investigation of their several tribal organizations, and the manner in which they assume to allot the land among the members of their tribe; with the investigation of the title to the land on their several reservations; with the investigation of the claims of the Ogden Land Company to said lands, and the claims of any other companies or organizations or individuals; with the investigation of all treaties made between this State and the Indians herein, and of all treaties made between the United States and the Indians within this State; and with the investigation of such other matters relating to said Indians as will afford valuable aid to the legislature upon which to base future action. Resolved, That said committee shall have power to administer oaths and to examine the officers of any company or organization, or any public officer of this State, or any county thereof, or to examine individuals under oath whenever, in the opinion of said committee, it may deem necessary, and to compel such companies, organizations, public officers, or individuals to produce before said committee, for its examination, any books, papers, documents, or sworn copies thereof, relating to the title of the lands on said several reservations, or relating to any other subject of inquiry or investigation by said committee. Resolved, That said committee shall have power to employ an attorney, whose fees shall not exceed $3,000, and a stenographer; and the expenses thereof, together with the disbursements of said committee, shall be audited and paid by the comptroller on vouchers to be presented to him by the chairman of said committee. In pursuance of this resolution the committee have visited the several reservations in this agency, investigated the condition of the Indians, and their report is anxiously awaited by the Indians and others who are interested in their welfare, as it is hoped and expected that something will be done by the committee, or the legislature upon their recommendation, to settle forever the question of the title of the Ogden Land Company to the Cattaraugus and Allegany Reservations. This disputed title is the cause of a great uneasiness among the Indians, and I think somewhat impedes their progress towards civilization. One other great impediment to the Indians' advancement in civilization and general improvement is hard cider. This is furnished to the Indians principally by farmers who reside near the reservations, who employ the Indians and pay them in hard cider; and if the Indians come to them with money, they willingly sell them all the cider they can pay for. This produces much drunkenness among the Indians, and has a general demoralizing effect. CAYUGAS' STATE ANNUITIES. The Cayugas residing in this agency, together with those residing west of the Mississippi River, have heretofore received, annually, since about the year 1812, annuities from the State of New York amounting to $2,300, in accordance with treaties made with the State of New York in 1789 and 1795. It seems that some time previous to the war of 1812 a large part of the Cayuga tribe removed to Canada, and continued to receive their portion of the annuity. But in the war of 1812 the Canadian part of the Cayugas took up arms against the United States, and after that time they received no part of these annuities. Several attempts have been made by the Canadian Cayugas to have their annuities restored to them, but each time have failed. By chapter 84 of the laws of the State of New York of 1888, it was enacted that the supreme court of the State appoint a commissioner to ascertain who are the payees under the abovementioned treaties, and to modify said treaties, etc. This act allows that portion of the Canadian Cayugas, in case they prove that they are the posterity of the original American tribe of Cayugas who made the treaties aforesaid, to receive their proportionate share of these annuities, of which they have been deprived since about the year 1812. The commissioner appointed under this act now has the matter in hand, and will probably soon make his report to the court. HALF-BREEDS. One other important matter which I desire to mention is the subject of half-breeds in their relation with the Senecas of this agency. Those whom the Indians call halfbreeds are children of an Indian father and a white mother. It seems it is an ancient custom of the Senecas that the lineage of a child always follows and is governed by the mother. Children of an Indian mother and white father are considered Indians, while those of an Indian father and white mother are half-breeds or whites, who are deprived of the privilege of drawing annuities or taking part in the public affairs of the nation, and considered incapable, either by will or descent, of taking title to any part of the property of the father. This rule also applies in their intermarriage with other tribes of Indians. The children of a Cayuga or Onondaga mother and a Seneca father are Cayugas or Onondagas, while the children of Seneca mothers and Cayuga or Onondaga fathers are considered Senecas. From the attempted enforcement of this rule has lately arisen much trouble and litigation among the people of the Cattaraugus Reservation. Many of the better class of the Senecas are of the opinion that the rule is unjust and should be abrogated, while some others claim it should be upheld as one of their ancient customs. In consequence, battles have been waged between these two factions, sometimes bloody and again in the courts. The matter has been before the courts in several different actions, and they have, I think, in every instance, held and decided in substance the same as the ruling lately made by the Department-that where either parent resides (or resided during his life-time) with the nation and is recognized as a member of it, the children should also be recognized as members of it, and that such children are entitled to inherit from either or both parents. SANITARY. The sanitary condition of the Indians is not very good; consumption and scrofula are prevalent. These diseases are hereditary and largely attributable to the Indian mode of living, loss of outdoor exercise, lack of sufficient food, and intemperance. The Indians being poor, in cases of accident, injury, or severe diseases they are unable to procure necessary medical or surgical treatment, nursing, or attendance; consequently almost every case of severe sickness or injury results fatally. AGRICULTURE. In the matter of farming, the Indians seem to be making slow progress as a whole, but there are exceptional cases, and some of the farms look prosperous and thrifty, |