Arizona weekly citizen., 1881-03-13
SETTLERS ON PAPAG0 RES
 ERVATI0N.
Some of Them Have Vested Rights to
 Parcels of the Land.

The order for the compulsory expul- sldn of settlers from the Papago Res ertation has caused the following letter to be written, which we are per mitted to publish:
 us. SURVEYOR GENERALS OFFICE, 1
 TUCsoN, Arizona, March 9, 1881. n he q. s. Indian Agent, Pima
 Agency, Arizoisa:
 SIR: l respectfully call your atten- ton 10 the following facts touching the rights of certain residents upon the Papago Indian Reservation which covers the oid settlements at and neal 10 San Xavier del Bac:
 l.. am informed That orders have been issued looking 10 voluntary or cdmpulsory vacation of that Reserya- tibn by ali settlers other than Indians thereon.
 |2. Within the past ten days, some of the said settlers who by themselves and ancestors have lived upon land included in said Reservation, long anterior to its establishment, have presented evidences of title to this office, and asked an examination thereof by me under the authority conferred upon the U. $. Surveyor General for Arizona, by act of Con- Ctess approved July 15, 1870, and De phrimert instructions hereunder.
 Yesterday a poor woman who has children and is a widow, made yer bal statement t0 the effect that herself and relations had for many years en- loved the undisputed use and posses sion of small tract within the limits of said reservation, and that herself and. relatives have never, until quite Recently, had reason to doubt their lawful right and title to such land. l uow have under examination a MeXi- dan title paper to a small tract oi sbmethlng oyer 40 acres of said reser- Iatiou, granted by the proper Alcalde in 1851, to Jose Maria Martinez, the Useful occupation of which has been uninterrupted from before the date oI the grant tO this day. It IS my lm- Ikression that 1 will feel obliged 10 Recommend Congress to confirm this dnd all similar titles to land within Jle exterior limits of said reservation. It would certainly be great hard .. ship upon a number of poor and de- lervIng people, whose homes have been upon the land now included m that reservation many years prior 10 its establishment for the papago h. Aians. and down tO this day, 10 indls- friminately enforce the order hereto lore alluded 10, and such hardship Is am sure our Government does not contemplate.
 The people to whom l refer, are boor and uninformed on public at- Iairs. They claim but small tracts and but them to good use; and some or lhem have done SO without doubling Their perfect right Co the land and water thereon, fro youth to age. Tbey had uuqueStoneG rights under he Mexican Government, and such lights the United States Government Is bound Go confirm iasieaG Of destroy; and in behalf of those having such rights. 1 Eow respectfully ask that Eou make a proper representation ln huG iltuAl-tNs " t4C N'ii l4A i''@- '.-- N- Indian Affairs. By so doing, l be- aieve you will he granted authority 10 exercise just discrimination in the en- forcement ol tue order for compulsory vacation of said reservation. l have no doubt that people havesettled upon it since its establishment for the Pap -ago Indians, and l have no diSposi- .uon to try ts maintain them there ; but fo- those who acquired rights long prior thereto, and have never done hnv act that can possibly be construed las a foueiiarg ot such rights, 1 ask iwhat l am sure vii. be readily con iceded, the just protection of Govern tment. Very respectfully,
 I JOHN WAsSUN, II |. :. Surveyor-General.