REPORT OF THE BECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 11. 777 HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE PACIFIC, COLONEL: After completing your inspection duties at San Juan islanti you will proceed to Vietona and New Westminster und collect such information as you can obtain in regard to the tribes of Indians ou aud near the boundary between British Columbin ami the Russian American possessions Preently coried to us: their numbers, location, character, disposition, whether instile or inently towards white settlers, &c. Axit will be for the interest of British Columina, us weil us the United States, "That paeide relations should be maintaneti with all these indians who live near the boundaries of the two governments, it is presumesi that the officers of her Majesty in British Columbin will facilitate your imounties in regun to this mutter. You wii explain to them the eject of your visit, and you are authorizesi to show these instructions to Gov. ernor Seymour, whom you will assure of our earnest desire to maintain peacefni reiations with the mutive tribes in his colony, as well as in our own territory. The prosperity of both must depeni în a great measure upon our securing this realit. It is sad that Indians living near the boundary line between northern British Columbia and the cried Russian American possessions iuve made severai hostile incursions into the settlements in British Columbin and Washington Territory, which hostile incursions might have been checked or prevented by a proper uniitary force in the vicinity of Fort Simpson or Portland canai. To accomplish this object it may be necessary for the United States to establish a miitary post within their own territory on the north side of Portland canal. You wail carefully inquire into this mutter. You will also inquire respecting the character of the Indians on Stakeen river, and report whether, in your opinion, it is necessary or desiruble för us to establish a miitary post at the mouth of that river. You will dixo report what measures the authorities of British Columbia advise or have taken to mamitam peace between these indians and the whites, with the object of a cordial co-operation on our part towards securing that result. Should you have the time and opportunity, you will extend your investigations to the tribal Indians who occupy the islands and erkint vist of Sitka. It is probable that our people will attempt settle. ments here und further north towartis Cook's inlet next year. Shonid such settlements of the evird comntry be resisted by the Indians in our own territory, or in British Columbia, a serious ludian war, with numerous complications, may eusite. It is therefore desirable for all parties that every proper measure suonid be taxen to anticipate and prevent such resuits, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Major General Commanding. There jas isen no visible improvement in their moral condition, that i have observesi, since my last report; and they have no opportunity for religions instruction in their pressent condition. I think they are more inclines than heretofore to concentrate together in unsettlesi locuiition which are suitable to their peculiar haliits, of which places there are still plenty within the State, Upon the whole, I have no doubt but they arens well situated as they comid be, taking into consideration their eitaracteristics, opportunities, and natures. Some of the younger ones speak the English languag quite understandingiy, and are constantly improving. Iam, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. N. G. TAYLOR, 0. H. LAMOREUX, United States Special Agent, HEADQUARTERS MILITARy Division oF THE PACIFIC, GENERAL: 1 transmit herewith a report by Brevet Lieutenant Colonel R. S. Scott in regard to the Indians near the boundary line between Alaska ani British Columbia. I wouid invite the special attention of the War Department to this valuable report. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 11. W. HALLECK, Major General U. S. A., Com, Mil. Dir, of the l'arifir. ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C. HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE Pacific, San Francisen, California, Norember 12, 1867. GENERAL: In compliance with letter of instructions from Major General Halleck, dated September 3, and under nuthority granted in your telegram of September 30, I have visited Victoria, New Westminster, and Fort Simpson, British Columbia, and for reusons appearing herentler I extended my journey to the north side of Portland channel, in our new ferritory. Enclosure marked A exhibits the numbers and location of the Indians on and near the boundary between British Columbia and the Russian American possessions recently ceded to the United States. For this EXPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NTERIOR 769 information í ám mainly indebted to Mr. Cunningham. (the Hudson Bay Company's agent on Naas river.) whom i met at Fort Simpson. The total number of British Indians on and near the boundary may safely be esumated at 6,800. The American tribes on and near the same line number about 2,000 sonia. As a rule these indians, bound together by trading interests and family connections, are friendly to each other. They are also, generally, weil disposed towards. the whites, whether “Bostons" or " King George r.en." The Indians understand perfectly Teil that it is for their interest to have competition for the furz, skins, Arb, c, which they offer for sale or barter. These articles command much higher prices since the Hudson Bay Company's monopoly expired. The uncers of that company complain that their business has been very much injured by outside traders, who are generaily Americans, and unsign as a reason that it is only from such parues that the Indians can buy liquor. There is, no doubt much force in this reasoning, but American enterprise has quite as much to do with success of these traders an American whiskey. The Kukes, 8tikeens, Hydalia, Chimpaxina. Tongas, Cape Fox, and other tribes congregate on Portland chanuei and the Naas river to trade with each other and with the whites, the liquor trade being generally carried on within what is now our boundary, Enciosure marked B exhibits the number and location of the Indiana cast and south of Bitka and on the main land from Cape öpencer to Portland chanuei. I do not apprebend that the Indians in British Columbia would offer any obstacle to the mettlement by our people of the ixiands and main innd east.and to the outward of Sitka. Difficulties will, however, in all probability arise between the whites und our own Indiaux These tribes live along the shores of the various kaya, rivers, and inlets. To keep them in subjection will require either the interposition of the navy, i anifested by one or more light-draught gun. houta paying periodical visits to the various villages, and inflicting summary punishment when necessary, or the constant employment of an armed quarterinunter's steiner, which could probably perform such duty while transporting supplies froin post to post I respectfully mouminend that a show of inilitary power be made at the earliest prac. ticable moment to the Kakes, Armion, Chileaks, and Hoods-Naboos. This special service night easily be performed by the navy. Upon the question of excblishing a military post at or near the mouth of Stĺkeen river, I feel some ùexitation in expressing an opinion, not being able by personai examination to ascertain the disposition or exact location on the river of these indians. There are about 13 whites on the river at a mining village called Shakesville, about 135 miles above its month. Thus far they have had no serious trouble with the Indians. The river ix navigable for light<lraught stenniboats for at least 140 miles and for canoes much further. It is an important channel of trade with the Indians in the British possessions, through to the head-waters of the Naas and Skoenu rivers, and I have no doubt but that our revenue officers will have to pay particular attention to this inlet. They might require military protection. If a military post should be establislied at any point on the river it would hasten the development of the country, ani would certainly concentrato in its vicinity a large number of Indians who would thua come under our immediate control. A rough tracing of the river (furuished by Captain Hornen Cofin) is rubmitted herewith. Osptain Colin reports an island near the mouth containing about 300 acres of |