The teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1876-1878, 1877-02-17
VALLEY lMBRO.
CLIO.

CLIO.
The full report made BY the Indian
Commission with regard to the adjust.
meut of existing difficulties between
Chief Joseph's band and the settlers in
Wallowa valley, has just been received
at the headquarters Of the Department
Of the Columbis, from Washington.
We are kindly permitted to make the
subjoiued extracts from the report: 1s
Certainly the fact that Joseph's father,
chief Of the same band, Joined in the
treaty of 1855. implied surrender of
any specific rights to any particular por.
ton Of the whole reserve, which in
cludes the Wallowa valley, only retain.
ing an individual interest. This fact
renders the present Joseph's specific
claim to even the right of occupancy still
more uncertain, and if the principal
usually applied by the government of
holding that the Indians with whom
they have treaties are bound by major.
tiles is here applied, Joseph should be
required to live within the limits of the
present reservation. We therefore re-
commend:
,a 1st. That the leaders and teachers
Of what is known as the "Dreamer's"
belief, be required to return to the agen-
cies where they belong, forthwith, and
in case of refusal, that they be removed
from contact with the roaming indians
by immediate transportation to the In
dian Territory. There is at least one
such "Dreamer" with Joseph's band to
whom reference has been previously
made in this report.
I'd. With this pregnant cause Of
trouble thus removed, so long as Joseph
and his band remain in the Im.na-ha
valley and visit the Wallowa valley for
hunting, fishing and grazing for only a
short time in each year, we Recommend
a speedy military occupation Of the val
ley by an adequate force to prevent
recurrence Of past difficulties between
the whites and the Indians. Mean
while the agent Of the Nez Perces
should continue his efforts to settle
these Indians in severalty upon the
lands of the reservation that are still va.
can't 81
Sd. Unless they should conclude to
settle quietly, as above indicated, within
reasonable time in the judgement Of
the Department, they should then be
placed by force upon the Nez Perce res
ervation, aud in. satisfaction of any pos
sible right of occupany which they may
have, the same aid and allotmcnts Of
land granted to the treaty .Nez Perces
should be extended to them on the res.
ervation. q
4th. If these Indians overrun lands
belonging to the whites and commit dep
relations upon their property, disturb
the peace by threats, or otherwise, or
commit any other overt act Of hostility,
We recommend the employment of sufi.
cient force to bring them into subjec-
tion, and to place them upon the Nez
Perce reservation. The Indian agen,
At Lapwai should be fully instructed to
carry iuto execution these sug- es.ions
relying at all times upon the department,
commander for aid when necessary.
9th. We recommend the adoption
of a similar policy toward the other non
treaty Indians of the Yakima, Umatilla
and Nez Perce agencies, including othe.
Indians who have wandered from their
reservations should be directed to take
similar action to that recommended foI
the Nes Perce agent.
INSTRUCTIONS TO AGENT MoNTEITH.
The following letter of instructions
has been sent to Agent Mouteith, which
accompanies the commissions report: