Year: 1873

Two weeks ago THE CITIZEN referred to the necessity of reducing this reserve so as to make its eastern boundary the Rio Bonito, and that such reduction could be made without the slightest dam age to the Indians as they never occupied any part of the section proposed to be excluded from their reserve. Since that date, we are informed that the miners ln and about Clifton have been mostly un- aware that they were on reserved lands, and are so much surprised to find they are that they hardly know what to do. Under date of Las Cruces, November 14, MT. Charles Lesinsky writes us as fol- lows:

 In THE CITIZEN of the Sth inst, l notice an editorial from which l am surprised to learn that the copper mines which we have been working, are upon an Indian reservation. Our firm has been arranging for the erection of extensive works at Cliff ton, for the improvement Of the roaus ana the general development of the mines. We have already invested some SSO0O and have secured at very high salary the services of one of the most competent workers of copper ore in the eastern states. Can it be possible that now, when we nave arranged everything for working these mines extensively, we must stop because of inc liability of being at any time order ed off of the Indian reservation? appeal to vOu not merely upon my own account, but as well in view of the interests or ATT Zona, to use your best efforts to have the line of the reservation so WlthdraWn as 10 leave the Clifton mines outside.

 We of course cannot venture any more capital until we ascertain beyond doubt that our position is secure.

 Messrs. Lesinsky & Co. constitute Q heavy firm. It is our opinion, without absolute knowledge of the fact, that they begun work and secured rights ln that district prior to its being declared a reserve by the President, and, Ii so, they could probably maintain their possession or compel government to pay them eqult- able damages. When the White Noun tain reservation was first established or the exact size of it, we do not know. Al ter Towards recommendation to abolish the Grant reserve as indicated by Colyer and the formers request for the San Car los addition to the White Mountain one, the President made an order of date Dec. 14, 1872, according to Towards request, and also included in if full description of the White Mountain reserve as enlarg- ed by the San Carlos division but did not give the date of establishment of the original reserve. Jan. ?, 1873, the Gener- al Land Office advised the Surveyor-Gen- eral of Arizona of what had been done and ordered him to protect said reserved lands in the extension of the public sur veys, which advice was received and filed in the Surveyor-Generars office Jan. 27, 1873, being the first official knowledge here of the existence of either the original reserve or of the addition to it. These facts are given for general information.

 Properly represented by the agent at Apache and military officers there ac- quainted with the situation and who know the Indians do not need nor will they occupy the district in question, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs will promptly, in our opinion, recommend the reduction of that reserve so as to protect the miners ln their rights and in nowise iniure the Indians. The settlers of Pue- bio Viejo should unite in petition to the same effect Addressed to the Commis- sioner of Indian Affairs), and send it to Hon. R. c. Mccormick for presentation, and so should the miners interested. By united and prompt action, the reduction may be secured by Jan. l, 1874. That it will be made upon the suggested rep resentations, we have no doubt. Let all interested help the work along, and it will soon be done or we are much mis- taken.