Arizona citizen., 1878-05-24
DEPARTMENT INFERIOR,

Interior.
 SIR:-I transmit herewith a copy ol so much of report of United State; Inspector Watkins, dated 29th ultimO as relates to the condition of the Pima and Maracopa Indians, and the ques tion of their removal to the Indian Territory.
 Frequent complaints have been made the past two years, by citizens of Ari zona against these Indians owing to the fact that majority of them have been compelled to abandon their Reser vation by reason of the scarcity of water for irrigating purposes, and are cultivating lands of Salt River, and al other points, some distance from the Reservation, where water is more abundant The Territorial Legislature in February 1877, took action upon the matter, demanding that they be brought upon their Reservation, and herewith is copy of the memorial of that body to Congress. It was there fore deemed best to have a thorough investigation made of the condition of these Indians, their necessities, &c., with a view to the adoption of some permanent measures in regard to them, and Inspector Watkins was recently instructed in connection with other duties assigned him in Arizona, and New Mexico, to make the necessary examination, and such recommenda- tions as their condition demanded. This report is confined more particu- larly to the Pima and Maricopa In dians, but he states that, what is said of these Indians applies equally to the Papagoes, who are under the same agent, as to habits of industry, man ners of life, &c. The three tribes number over 10000, comprising more than half the Indians in the Territory. They live by the cultivation of the soil, are not hunters, but farmers, indus trious and self-sustaining. The Pima and Maricopa Indians, formerly had a sufficient supply of water, but since the opening of the mines upon the up per Gila, and owing also to the fact that for miles above the Reservation, large numbers of Americans and Mex jeans have made settlements, within the past few years, and use the water of this river or rather creek to irrigate their lands, the supply for the Indians to great extent has been cut of. Hence the absence of so many of the tribe, from their Reservation. They are driven to the necessity of seeking other lands to cultivate where water is more plenty, or to obtain employment elsewhere, to save themselves and fam flies from starvation.
 The proposition of their removal to the Colorado River Reservation has been made, but the same objection can be urged against that Reservation, ls against the Pima and Maricopa, the Indians there being unable to sustain themselves by reason of the scarcity of water.
 Inspector Watkins, who has also made a thorough examination of that Reservation, says it would be an act of folly to place the Pima and Maricopa Indians upon it, as their condition would not be materially changed by the transfer. The citizens and the Ter ritorial Legislature insist upon strict enforcement of the policy of the gov ernmeEt in confning them to their Reservation, but under present circum- stances this would be an act of in humanity, unless they are furnished regularly with supplies, which would be very expensive, and very bad econ omy As before indicated they are an industrious class of Indians and can easily maintain themselves, if they can have a little aid from government to gain start or a foothold in the Indian Territory They have until recently,