Letters from Nevada Indian Agents 1855

July 23, 2006

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Nevada History:

Letters From Nevada Indian Agents - 1853

[Compiled by the publisher of The Nevada Observer in 1980-1981 and transcribed from handwritten originals in the collection of Letters Received by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Utah Superintendency, National Archives microfilm; spelling as in original documents. Funding for the project was provided by Grace Dangberg, of Minden, Nevada.]

LETTER FROM THOMAS KNOTT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS

Delaware, Delaware Co. Ohio, Mar. 27, 1855.

To the most Honored Department of

Indian affairs at Washington:

Honored Sirs:

I am under the necessity of making a few inquires of you in regard to a Draft given to Reese & Co. signed by Major Halmon [Holeman], Indian Agent in Utah, Carson Valley in the year 1853, calling for Eight hundred and Sixteen Dollars assigned by Company to William Thorington. The said Draft not being paid to the said Thorington when presented to your honors on the grounds that you had not settled with Halmon [Holeman], Consequently the Draft was left in the hands of one John Barnard in Illinois, and the said John Barnard having a brother E.L. Barnard who was in business with Reese & Co. in Carson Valley, absconded last August from Carson Valley with all the means he could smugg1e from the said Company; and it appeared that he has called on John Barnard and obtained this Draft of W.M. Thorington and if he has drawn the money he must sure have forged the assignment or order from Thorington as I have the order from Thorington and also the order from Thorington, Reese & Co. for to draw the money on the said Draft. And if the Draft is not paid please contact the same, as the Draft has been roughly obtained by the said E.L. Barnard. As I left Carson Valley in the month of January last, on purpose of presenting some matters of importance before Congress, but owing to the great distance I had to travel over I did not get to New York until March 4th I therefore take the privelage [sic] to ask your honors whether matters concerning Indian affairs, Indian Agent’s government past &c, could be attended to before Congress conveins again. Owing to our isolated and Geographical situation in Carson Valley, unnoticed by neither State nor Territory nor our General Government, we wish to take some measures to bring ourselves under your notice and protection.

Respectfly Yours,

Thomas Knott.

P.S. If you feel disposed to notice this request of mine please drop me a note to Delaware Delaware Co. 0.

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LETTER FROM THOMAS KNOTT TO THE OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS

Delaware, Delaware Co. O. Apr. 10, 1855

To the Department of the Interior

Office Indian Affairs.

Honored Sirs:

I received your answer to my request in regard to that draft &c, and return my thanks to your Honors for your attention to the same, & if you will allow me to trouble that Department with another small document, it being the wishes of the people of Carson Valley, (so called in Utah Territory, but the line to us unknown & undefined to which I had to consent to lay before your Honors for your due consideration) on the importance & the necessity of the desired petition.

Those two tribes viz: the Washaws & Pyuta’s, are as well known I suppose to your honors, being situated on the East side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains & on the great & important thoroughfare from the Atlantic States to Cal. by the way of G.S.L.C. Permit me here to remark that, had it not been that he journey was so great & the difficulites which I had to encounter in Crossing the Snowy Sierra Nevada during the month of January so tedious, I should have arrived at Washington before Congress adjourned. But in consequence of this I was to late & therefore I take the privelage [sic] of placing this small petition with these few remarks before you for your consideration [see petition dated January) 21, 1854]. And I would here remark that owing to my Experience for over 2 years in Carson Valley & adjacent Valleys & the mountains inhabited by these tribes of Indians, I believe I have become well acquainted with their wants probably better than any other man in the bounds of that unrepresented District of the great Basin. I accompanied by my son & two other gentlemen spent all the month of December & part of Jany last in the mountains between Carson Valley & G.S.L.C. Examining a new rout from -- G.S.L.C. through the territories of those wild tribes of Indians, & we met with no difficulties with those Indians, notwithstanding many of them never saw the face of an American before. I erected 2 sawmills & a large f[l]ouring mill in the said Valley & have been one among others that have had to suffer losses & to keep on good terms with the Indians. I had to bestow many dollars worth of provision & clothing on those Tribes, and now it is for your Honors to say whether we as a small company of unprotected American people shall recieve [sic] any support or protection from the General Government.

I also was chosen by that people without the right of Congress to represent if allowed the actual wants & the necessities to our General Government, that they take some measures to give us the right of Territory by law as we at present have no actual bounds defined unto us, whether said Valleys are in Utah or Cal., & in consequence thereof I have during the past year seen much need of being under some law recognized by our General Government, in cases of murder &c.

I conclude these few remarks by saying that it is not a desirable place to be situated in those mountains, and among those savage Tribes. And if the Department see proper or feel disposed to take any notice of this, which we feel to be for the good of the American people they will please give me an answer to this. I am authorized to say that the new rout in contemplation, explored by myself, Col. Reese & some of Col Septo’s [Steptoe's] men, will shorten the distance some 300 miles from G.S.L.C. to Cal.

Yours Respfuly,

Thomas Knott.

Department of

Indian Affairs

Washington, D.C.

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LETTER FROM GARLAND HURT, UTAH TERRITORIAL INDIAN AGENT TO BRIGHAM YOUNG, GOVERNOR OF UTAH AND SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS

Office Ind. Agent

G.S.L.City, U.T.

Sir --

Since my report of March last, our peaceful relations with the Indians have not been seriously interrupted Though it is not to be expected that we should enjoy an entire exception from slight demonstrations of bad faith so characteristic of some of the tribes of this Territory.

In relation to the account proposed by L.G. Metcalf I would state that it was for a horse that one of the Utahs had stolen from him, and when I told the Indian that I would have him arrested and tried he gave up his own horse, but it was a mall pony, and I thought better, as Mr. M’s horse had been sold to some of the southern Indians to pay the difference and stop the difficulty.

I have made some expenditure to aid the Utahs & Pah-vantes in farming which I hope will be allowed without any hesitation -- On the 10th day of May last I started agreeably to your instructions to visit the Indians on the Southern millitary road beyond the settlements and to inspect the farming apprations [operations] among the Utahs & Pah-vantes -- on the 12th we reached summit creek in Utah County, where Pau-a-wat’s and his band were farming. They have put in about 2/3 acres of wheat, some corn, potatos, and, garden seeds, but were wholy destitute of farming implements -- we gave them something to eat. Some tobacco, and an order to Mr. Maxwell of Payson for a spade to irrigate with. On the 15th we passed Nephi and rode out with Mr. Hatch to see the Indian farm -- we saw but few Indians in this place, Mr. Hatch told me that they had worked very faithfully so long as they could get anything to eat, but hunger soon drove them to the mountains, or to the forts for the purpose of beging [sic]. Mr. H deserves great credit for his assiduity in teaching them to farm. He has put in about 22 acres of wheat, 10 acres of corn, some potatos & vegetables. But the wheat has shared the fate of the grass-hopper pestilence and will not be likely to produce much -- The corn I am told is coming out finely.

On the 15th we reached the Pah-vante village on Corn Creek in Millard county. We found Kenosh and several of his men and squaws catching grasshoppers and drying them for winters food. The Pah-vantes have embraced farming more extensively than any of the Indians in this Territory. Their farm includes about 60 acres, more than half of which was sown in wheat, and about 10 acres in corn and potatos. They are greatly indebted to Mr. Ray and other citizens of Fillmore for plowing, sowing, farming implements, and provisions. I have not ventured to remunerate any of these gentlemen for their services, though I have encouraged them with the idea that a reasonable compensation would be allowed for their services. Some of these individuals have devoted nearly the whole of time in this cause, and as there have been some large appropriations for the purpose of making treaties & presents to these Indians I hope I shall be instructed to pay these expenses out of those funds.

We arrived on the 17th at Parawan and there met with a chief by the name of Quo-wah-vo and about 30 of his tribe who belong to the Pi-Ede nation. They appeared to be of a quiet disposition and were much pleased at the presents we gave them. On the night of the 16th we camped at Mountain Meadows on the rim of the great Basin, and overtook there, the U.S. troops under command of Lieut. Mowry. Their men and stock were all in fine health, and luxuriating in the finest grass I ever saw, and on the evening of the 19th reached the Indian farm on the Rio Santa Clara, about 60 miles below the rim of the rim [sic] of the Basin. We there met with a band of the Pi-Edes numbering about 50 or 60 men besides women and children. They seemed at first to be a little shy, but soon learned our mission among them, and became more sociable. They were anxious to know if we had heard of a band of Utahs coming to steal their children and were much pleased to learn that we had not heard any thing of them and that we did not believe they were coming. From what I could learn of these Indians I should say that if properly managed they will be easily civilized. Their chief whose name is McCah-a-wats or Little Giver[?] is a young man rather diminutive in size but quite shrewed and possesses much influence over his people. We gave them all the presents and provision we had to spare. They all seemed well pleased with our visit, and gave many faithful promises of eternal friendship. Many of them would not leave us through the night but said they would stay and mind our horses. We started on the morning of the 20th on our return and reached this city on the 27th making the distance of about 750 miles in less than 18 days, but many of our horses became jaded on the way and we had to drop them and procure fresh ones.

These circumstances -- with the necessity of having to hire carriages, and the misfortune of geting things [?] broke and having them to repair rendered the expenses of the trip greater than it would otherwise have been. The Horses which were turned over to me by Maj. S.B. Rose not being in a condition for service and I was obliged to turn them to pasture and purchase and hire others which also tends to augment the expenditures of the quarter. In compliance with your instructions of the 29th of March I received of Maj. S.B. Rose 6 Indian ponies -- 2 Horses - 1 mule 2 broken wagons 1 carriage - 2 sets harness 1/2 old set do 2 old saddles, 2 Lariats 2 desks, 1 table, 1 box, 1 coffe mill, 4 tin plates, 2 knives, 3 forks, 1 spoon, 1 broken camp kettle, 3 old chairs 1 rule 1 inkstand, 1 sand box, 1 telescope. This property is all very much worn out and I thought proper to have the horses and wagons appraised for the purpose of selling them, as I did not think it prudent to keep such property on hands if I could get [it sold] off. I have sold 2 of the wagons and one pony for which I have given the government due credit. The necessity of having to purchase some horses, and office furniture has rendered the expenditures of this quarter, greater than those of the preceeding one -- but as many of these articles were quite indispensible I hope the bill will be allowed.

I flattered myself that through the aid of Col. E.J. Steptoe I could dispense with the necessity of visiting the Humboldt this season, and in view of this made arrangements with him to distribute some presents to them. But from what I hear more recently they are still dissatisfied, and it is probable that it would be best for some person to visit them.

As the news has leaked out to the Indians in this Territory that large sums had been appropriated for the purpose of making presents to them, they are becoming quite impatient to realize them, and if something is not done pretty soon to pacify them I fear that the consequences will not be pleasant.

Very respectfully

Your obedient Servant

Garland Hurt

Ind. Agent for Utah

June 30th l855

His Excellency Brigham Young.

Gov. & Ex- Supr. Ind. Affairs

Utah Territory

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LETTER FROM GARLAND HURT, UTAH TERRITORIAL INDIAN AGENT, TO GEORGE W. MANYFENNY, COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFEAIRS

July 14th 1855

Sir,

As I am preparing to make a tour among the Indians on the Humboldt which will be attended with considerable expense, I deem it proper to state briefly the circumstances which seem to render it necessary to make the visit. I am informed that my predecessors in office have invariably made promises of presents to these Indians, which have not been fulfilled. During the term of Maj. Holeman and while he was on the Humboldt a party of emigrants killed several Indians, among whom was the chiefs son. This came near resulting in a general massacre of some [wagon] trains then in the neighborhood, but was settled by heavy promises on the part of Maj. Holeman. These promises with many others which have been subsequently made have not been met. On the contrary depredations have been frequently committed upon them by inconsiderate persons which have provoked the Indians to commital of crimes which might have been avoided. They still claim the fulfillment of the promises made them, but are becoming very impatient, and are wreaking their very vengeance upon small parties who are continually passing the road.

It is eminently desirable that something be done to stay the hand of destruction to life & property that has so long been waged in that region. I have therefore, equiped myself for that purpose and shall take with me a sufficient amount of presents to be able to meet their expectations, and shall endeavor to negotiate with them for peace, and if possible for the right of way through their country binding them to guarantee to our people perfect safety to life and property. I sincerely hope my course may not be disapproved as it is my greatest desire to make myself of service to the country.

Your obedient Servant

Garland Hurt

Ind. Agent for Utah

Hon. George W. Manypenny

Coms. Ind. Affairs

Washington DC

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TREATY WITH THE SHOSHONE INDIANS SIGNED AUGUST 7, 1855

Treaty

Made and concluded on the 7th day of August one thousand eight hundred and fifty five, between Garland Hurt Indian agent for the Territory of Utah for and in behalf of the President and Senate of the United States of the one part and the chiefs, head men, and warriors of the Sho-Shonie nation of Indians (commonly called snake Diggers) occupying the northern and middle portion of the Valley of the Humboldt River of the other part.

Art. 1st - We the Chiefs and head men of the Sho-shonie nation do hereby declare that all former disputes and feelings of hostility between our people and the people of the United States are this day amicably adjusted and settled.

Art. 2nd - We guarantee to the people of the United States perfect safety to life and property at all times when peacefully sojourning in, or traveling through our country.

Art. 3rd - We give the right of way through our country to the people of the United States, that said people may pass and repass without harm to themselves or property.

Art. 4th - We will treat all persons claiming to be citizens of the United States who may settle in our country as brother and friends, and not as enemies.

Art. 5th - We acknowledge the supremacy of the Laws of the United States and that -- all persons who may hereafter commit -- crimes within the limits of our country shall be accounted answerable to said Laws.

Art. 8th - We will use all diligence when called to aid the officers and people of the United States in arresting and bringing to justice all persons who may have committed crimes within the limits of our country irrespective of the tribe or nation to which the offenders may belong.

Art. 7th - And the said Garland Hurt for, and in behalf of the President and Senate of the United States, pledges hereby the friendship and good will of the people of the said States to the Chiefs and people of the said Sho-shonie nation.

Art. 8th - For and in consideration of the faithful observance of all the obligations above stipulated on the part of the Chiefs and people of the said Sho-shonie nation of Indians, the President of theUnited States will give to the Chiefs and people of said nation, through his proper agent, the sum of three thousand dollars in presents (such as provisions, clothing and farming implements &c) to be delivered to them at some convenient point within the limits of their country, on or before the 30th day of September 1857. Provided however that if any part of the above treaty shall be violated by any of the Chiefs or people of the said Sho-shonie nation the above obligations on the part of the President of the United States shall be void, or held at his descretion until such time as ample atonement shall have boon made for such violation. Provided further, that if the President and Senate of the United States shall refuse to ratify this treaty, the same shall be void.

In witness whereof the said Garland Hurt and the aforesaid Chiefs and head men have herewith subscribed their names and affixed the seals.

Garland Hurt

Nim-ah-tu-cah x (Man eater)

Sho-cop-it-su x (Old Man)

Pan-tow-quan x (Diving Mink)

Tow-quan-dwat-su x (Young Ground Hog)

Sho-cop-it-su Junior x

Paw-wan-tah-wah x (Strong Smoker)

Jan-oup-pah x (Climbing Man)

Ink-ah-bit x (Red Man)

Ko-too-bot-see x

Wot-sow-wit-su-mot-tow x (the four shians)

Signed in presence of A.P. Hawes Interpreter. Peter Hawes, C.L. Craig, Van Epps, Hugunin, Francis Gomas, Joseph Kanois, Leonard Wines, Charles Woodard, Kamoru[?] Ortagen[?], Henry Woodard, Francis Woodard, John Enos, Orlo Whiteside, Norman Day.

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LETTER FROM GARLAND HURT, UTAH TERRITORIAL INDIAN AGENT, TO BRIGHAM YOUNG, GOVERNOR OF UTAH AND SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS

August 27th 1855

Sir --

I transmit to you herewith, and through you to the President of the United States a copy of a treaty which I took the responsibility to negotiate with the Sho-sho-nie, or Digger tribes of Indians on the 7th day of this inst. while on a visit among them in the Valley of the Humboldt. As I did not feel myself properly authorised to make such treaty I wish to state briefly the reasons that induced me to adopt the course which I did with them. You are aware that the great overland thoroughfare between the Valley of the Mississippi and the Pacific coast passes directly through the Territory occupied and claimed by these Indians. You are also well aware that thousands of our citizens with their property are anually at the mercy of these creatures, whose moral condition would scarcely distinguish them from the lowest and most degraded order of animated nature. Hither to they have known no Law, except that which impelled then to the gratification of their beastly appetites. They have been greatly irritated by improper treatment on the part of the whites, for some of which they have retaliated in the most [unrelenting] manner.

They still claim satisfaction for the death of a young chief who was killed by some California traders some three years ago and for which I am informed that one of my predecessors was obliged to promise them a large amount of presents in order to save his own life.

These promises had not been redeemed and it was fortunate that my visit among them preceeded for a few days the feeble emigrant parties that passed through this season for had not something occured to divert their attention the scenes that were enacted near Ft. Boyse in Oregon last season would have been repeated in the Valley of the Humboldt in a more frightful and heartrending manner. The Indians claim that we have eaten up their grass and thereby deprived them of its rich crop of seed which is their principal subsistence during winter. They say too that the long guns of the white people have scared away the game and now there is nothing left for them to eat but ground squirrels and pis-ants. They are generally very destitute and I soon saw that there was no use in talking to them till they got something to eat. Being compelled to stop to recruite my animals a few days I dispatched messengers to the different bands to invite them in. I thought it would be best to feed them while we were holding our talk, and I made it a rule to feed all whom I set with during the trip, as I perceived that they were very wild I found it necessary to use my every exertion to gain their confidence. I am very confident in saying that if this treaty should meet the approbation of the President and be complied with on our part it will prove of incalculable benefit to our traveling community, and open up the way for future negotiations of perminent peace to the great advantage of both whites and Indians. I would suggest however that the amount stipulated in the 8th article of the treaty should be made annually so long as the Indians observe the obligations of the treaty. Allow me in conclusion to express the deep feelings of anxiety which I entertain for the approval of the course I have taken in this matter believing it to be the only one which could have been attended with success.

Your obedient servant

Garland Hurt

Ind. Agent for Utah.

His Excellency Brigham Young.

Gov. & Ex officio sup. of Ind. affairs

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LETTER FROM GARLAND HURT, INDIAN AGENT FOR UTAH TERRITORY, TO GEORGE W. MANYPENNY, COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS

Salt Lake City U.T.

Sept 1st 1855

Sir,

During my recent toure among the Indians on the Humboldt I prospected for minerals, and I send you a speciman of my discoveries. These little gems, (which I take to be Rubies) are very numerous, and though too small to be profitable, I should judge from their locality that larger ones might be found by going deeper. I prospected at several points for the distance of a hundred miles, and found them invariably at each point.

Very respectfully

Your Obedient Servant

Garland Hurt

Ind. Agent T.U.

Hon. Geo. W. Manypenny

Comms, Ind. Affairs

Washingtom D.C.

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LETTER FROM GARLAND HURT, UTAH TERRITORIAL INDIAN AGENT, TO BRIGHAM YOUNG, GOVERNOR OF UTAH AND SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS

Office Ind. Agent U.T.

Great Salt lake City

Sir,

I have the honor of transmiting herewith, an abstract of Disbursements, account current, and vouchers for the amount of my expenditures for the quarter ending the 3list Dec. 1855 which though large I trust will meet your approval, when appraised of the circumstances under which they were made. Near the close of the last quarter a large body of the Utah and Sho-sho-nie tribes met at this place for the purpose of making a treaty of peace, and as they claimed many presents which had been promised them by former agents, I thought best to meet these claims and to redeem our credit with them if possible. But unforturnately these bands did not include half the Indians [in] this vicinity, consequently I have been visited almost daily by small bands some of whom had come a great distance to get as they said their share of the presents. Seeing their great destitution and the near approach of winter I could not avoid giving each one something.

Pursuant to a determination which I disclosed to you on the 20th day of last month to visit the friendly tribes in the south, and to which I obtained your consent I arranged an outfit and set out on the 27th of the same month and arrived at Fillmore on the 4th inst. My object as you are aware was to select some reservations of land, with the view of establishing a more regular system of farming among the Indians. Accordingly on the 5th I visited Corn Creek, in company with several gentlemen of Fillmore and the principal men and chieves of the Pah-vantes, and examined the soil and amount of water. Finding the former of good quality and the latter of sufficient quantity to irrigate 700 to 1000 acres, we laid out one township or thirty six square miles beginning on the north western corner, at the base of a small butte about one mile south of where the military road now crosses the Corn Creek -- Thence east six miles thence south six miles to the base of the mountains. Thence west six miles, thence north six miles to the beginning.

I then told the chieves the object of my visit among them, and laid before them my future plans for introducing a knowledge of agriculture and the other useful arts of civilization among them and also of educating their children when they should have become sufficiently settled. Giving them to understand at the same time that these things could not be done for them without their aid. But that all depended upon their own exertions, and that we would not help them unless they would help themselves.

After I had concluded one of the chieves replied that his heart felt glad that his tongue was not able to describe how glad his heart felt while I was speaking. Since the white people have come among us to live, we have heard a great many things, but our ears were stopped and we could not understand (said he), but now we can hear a great deal better.

But he thought there was one thing that would prevent his people from complying with my wishes. He said they were very poor, and had to hunt most all the time to keep from starving, and if they laid down their bows to work in the fields they would soon be obliged to pick them up again. But as for himself, he would adopt my advice if I would also furnish him some seed grain in the spring. He thought he could plow like the Mormons did, as they had learnt him how last spring.

They all joined us in a sumptous meal of cold provisions which some of our men had prepared, after which we returned to Fillmore, and on the following morning gave them some Blankets and clothing and told the chieves to inform their people of our views in regard to farming &c which they did ¬immediately, vieing with each other in zeal and eloquence. On the morning of the ninth we reached Twelve mile creek in San Pete county, and examined its facilities as we had understood that Arrow-pine Chief of the Utahs had fixed on it as his future home. We found sufficient water to irrigate two thousand acres or more, and more land than there is water to irrigate; which lies in a cove of the mountains, with timber convenient and an abundance of nutritious grass. We laid out four townships or 144 square miles, beginning on the top of the northwestern bank of San Pete Creek, opposite the mouth of Six mile creek. Thence east 12 miles to the top of the Wasatch mountains. Thence South 12 miles to Willow creek. Thence west 12 miles to a point opposite the mouth of Sanpitch creek. Thence north to the beginning.

This reservation is quite contiguous to the favorite hunting grounds of this tribe and borders on the Seviar [Sic] River which affords an abundance of mountain trout. We arrived at Manti in the evening of the second day, and on the following morning had an interview with Arrow-pine and a large number of his band who were camped in the vicinity of that place. We made a short speech to them on the importance of learning to farm. We told them that the deer and antelope were getting scarce every day and the time would soon came when the Indians would be obliged to starve if they did not learn how to work and raise wheat and potatos, and have cattle and sheep to kill when they were hungry.

I told them that it was the desire of their Great Father that they should settle on the land and work it as his people did, and if they would do so, there were a great many things for them to learn that they could not learn if they continued to roam about from place to place as they had done. I dwelt more particularly upon the prospect of having schools among them to teach their children how to read and write as many of them had seen our people do. When I had concluded, the chief was anxious to know if we could learn his people how to mend their guns as the Mormons did. I told him that if they did as the Great Father desired then I thought he would send a blacksmith among them who would not only learn them to mend guns, but to make plows, hoes, and axes. They appeared highly pleased with the idea end the chief promised to do all in his power to induce his people to work, but, he wanted to know how they were to live till the crops could grow! He said they had no bread and if they quit hunting, they would be obliged to starve before they could raise bread out of the ground. And as the Great Father was rich, it would be a fine thing if he would tell the Mormons to give his people some beef and flour while they were learning to work.

I then gave them some blankets and clothing which came in fine season as many of them were quite bare and winter was now setting in in earnest.

I then lectured them on the subject of cleanliness, which I was induced to do from the character of some of the diseases that prevail among them, traceable to no other cause than that of filth about their persons. Of this character is a species of gonorrhea from which but few of them are exempt. It is quite amenable to treatment however, and in mild case, often yielded to the removal of their breech clout and the appreciation of soap and water.

I also laid out a small reservation in Utah County, on the western bank of Spanish Fork Creek near its mouth, including 640 acres or one section, for the benefit of a few families who are more completely civilized and who avow their determination to remain upon the soil where they say, their ancesters have lived and died.

You are aware sir, that the efforts which I am making to introduce a system of farming among these Indians, is in advance from any instructions from Washington. I must therefore trouble you with a few of the reasons which have induced me to adopt this course.

To those acquainted with the topography and resources of this country, it is easy to show, that as the white man takes possession of the few oases that here and there dot the dreary desert; the deer, the antelope; and even the varmints flee his presence and leave the poor Indians to take up his abode in the snowy canyons of the mountains where it is impossible for him to exist long in his present state of nakedness. Or he is driven by the white man, upon the desert plains where there is neither game nor water. Such is the state of things in Utah. The green spots are being rapidly settled up and the Indian is forced to quit his favorite hunting grounds, or to gain a meager subsistence either by begging or stealing.

The ostensible objects of government, if I understand them, in appointing agents to conduct her intercourse with the Indians and to cultivate feelings of amity with friendly intercourse; and when practicable to introduce among them a knowledge of the Laws and habits of Civilization. It is not her policy as some suppose to exterminate the Indians (though that is too frequently the result of our intercouse with them), but to exercise a guardian care over them, extending to them all the sympathy which is due their fallen and degraded conditions, and to bestow upon them the blessings of a civilized and Christian education.

In executing this policy, it is the duty of those who are sent among them to adapt such course as would be most likely to accomplish these objects.

Among the missionary enterprises of the various Christian sects, perhaps none can boast of that degree of success which has attended the Catholic missionary system. I have no partialities to express for the peculiar tenets of this denomination but it is a fact too obvious for contradiction that they have done more towards civilizing the Indians throughout the Pacific slope of North America from the Russian possessions to the gulf of California than all other denominations with the government to aid them, have been able to accomplish. It becomes our duty then to examine their policy, and assertain upon what their success depends. This in my opinion is referable to their constant residence among them and the paternal authority which they assume over them, together with their strict adherence to a kind of ceremonious form of religion well suited to the narrow and visionary mind of the untutored Indian.

But though we may profit by the examples afforded us in the history of that sect, we would not be justified in adopting these tedious processes which displayed in all their efforts a want of means for carrying out their policy. For when not one dollars worth of capital has been used in aid of that policy; it is compatible with the abilities of the government to bestow thousands, and where a long series of years has been necessary to introduce a very partial system of civilization, it is reasonable to suppose that the same policy more vigourously prosecuted, would accomplish a more perfect system in a much shorter time.

I propose then to stock these reservations during the ensuing season with such stock and implements of husbandry as may be necessary to carry on a vigorous system of agriculture among these Indians. And I wish through you to ask the Commissioner of Ind. Affairs to have an act passed by Congress confirming these reservations as the future homes of these bands, and authorising the Surveyor General of this Territory to survey and establish their boundaries and to construct a map of the same. I would also suggest that a well arranged system of farming instructions be extended to all the tribes in this Territory, as their destitution at this time will naturally coerce them into it, while if neglected, they must starve, or subsist by rape and murder.

To carry out such a system, an appropriation by Congress of 75,000 or 100,000 thousand dollars should be made at the present session, and at least $50,000 to meet my present engagements with the neighboring tribes.

I must also allude to the fact that while large appropriations have been made for the Indian service in California larger numbers amounting to thousands of the Indians in that state are migrating to this Territory, which will doubtless increase the expense of the service in this Territory to double what it has been heretofore. It may not be amiss to allude briefly to the unfortunate massacre which occurred at Elk mountain on the 24th day of September last, in which 3 young men lost their lives, and a 4th one was severely wounded, by the Indians.

Many circumstances have been alledged as the cause of this massacre, but the following is the most plausible. A party of the men at the Fort fitted out an expedition to the Navajo country to trade while at the same time the Utahs were induced to go on a similar expedition but had nothing suitable for their expedition and consequently had poor success in trading. But the Mormon boys sold every thing they had at their own prices. This was well calculated to excite a prejudice in the minds of their red friends who supposed they were making bad medicine for them. I think this the cause of their unparelleled perfidy. I am not prepared to cast any blame upon the men at the Fort. They had used every possible exertion not only to establish peaceful relations with them but to christianise them. For if I am correctly informed, the most if not all of these who are charged with the massacre had been baptized into the church, and had received the laying on hands for the gift of the holy ghost.

I will only say further that the blood of those unfortunate young men, who were so untimely and cruelly deprived of their existence, calls for vengence in terms too eloquent to be slighted and I have no doubt but measures will be taken as early as practicable to bring the guilty parties to justice.

I was also visited this morning by a delegate from one of the Shoshonie chieves wishing to know if the Great Father was going to pay them for the land; or did he intend his people to have it for nothing. This again admonished me of the fact that these Indians ought to be treated with for their lands, and that as an arrangement should be made as early as practicable for making compensation with all the tribes bordering on the settlements.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient Servant

Garland Hurt

Indian Agent Utah

Dec 31st 1855

His Excellency Brigham Young

Gov. & Ex Sup

Indian Affairs U.T.

Letters from Nevada Indian Agents 1849-1861 (1981): 1849; 1850; 1851; 1852; 1853; 1854; 1855; 1856; 1857; 1858; 1859; 1860; 1861