cultivation this year 215 acres, about 30 acres new land broken up this spring; their fields are well cultivated, clean, and free from weeds, and the crops are very good. They will raise this season about 8,000 bushels of corn; 1,000 bushels potatoes; 150 bushels beans; about 40 loads of squash and pumpkins. This will furnish them with abundance of food until next crop. They have about 40 head of hogs; and they have sold during the year 200 horses, and have on hand 700 horses; the quality of their horses is improving every year. Their idea about farming is to raise sufficient food for their own use, and raise horses and stock for profit. The value of their personal property is about $20,000.

I have, by the kindness of the honorable Secretary of the Interior, who has allowed me to purchase agricultural implements, tools, and seeds, been able to assist the Indians very much in putting in and working their crops, by furnishing them with the necessary implements to work with; consequently, they have put in a larger crop, and will have a greater yield of produce than they ever had before and the Indians feel very much pleased and encouraged at their success this season. Many of the Indians who were always opposed to cultivating the soil themselves, and who thought it the work for women to do, have taken hold of the plow and worked well. I feel greatly encouraged by this season's experience, and with a little more help from the department I can do much better another year. Some of our Indians have cut wood, made posts, grubbed for white people and for themselves, and worked in the wheat fields, binding grain, and wherever they have been employed they have been honest and behaved well.

During the past year this tribe have had four horses stolen by the Winnebago Indians and two by white men. The whites have been arrested and are awaiting trial, and another white man has been arrested and punished by confinement in jail for indecent behavior in one of the houses of the Indians at the village.

The only government building on this reservation is the school-house, which is occupied for the agency office, school-room, and residence of the agent, farmer, and teacher ; the building is in good order and condition.

Inclosed herewith I respectfully submit the statistical information called for in your letter of July 18, 1880.

Very respectfully,

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

GEO. L. DAVENPORT,
United States Indian Agent.

OFFICE POTTAWATOMIE AGENCY,
POTTAWATOMIE RESERVE, KANSAS,

September 1, 1880.

SIR: As directed in your circular letter, dated July 18 last, I herewith submit my second annual report of the affairs of this agency, and the condition of the Indian tribes located in the jurisdiction thereof, consisting of the prairie band of Pottawatomies, the Kickapoos, and the confederated bands of Chippewa and Munsee Indians. These tribes number on their respective reservations 450 Pottawatomies, 234 Kickapoos, and 62 Chippewas and Munsees, making a total of 746 Indians.

In addition to this number there are absent without permission 290 Pottawatomies, 240 of whom are living in Wisconsin, 30 in Iowa, and 20 in the Indian Territory; also 20 Kickapoos who have joined the Mexican Kickapoos in the Indian Territory, making a total of 310 absentees and an aggregate of 1,056 Indians entitled, if present on their reservations, to participate in the distribution of funds established by treaty stipulations for the use and benefit of the tribes to which they belong.

The band of Sac and Fox Indians known as "Mo-Ko-ho-ko Band" continue to reside in Kansas near Osage City, on lands formerly a part of the Sac and Fox Reservation, disposed of under provisions of their treaty, proclaimed October 14, 1868. They were removed to the Indian Territory in 1867, but almost immediately returned to their old habitations, and persist in remaining there, though prohibited by the aforesaid treaty from receiving any share of the annuities or other funds of the tribe when absent from their reservation in the Indian Territory; they labor for neighboring farmers, among whom they have many friends, and with the exception of trespassing on land, no complaints are made against them; they number about 150.

The Absentee Pottawatomies residing in Iowa subsist by cultivating land purchased by themselves, and by performing various kinds of labor for white persons; those who reside in Wisconsin subsist by working for lumbermen, hunting, and gathering berries, and have but little stock or other property; they are, however, law abiding and well spoken of by persons who employ them; constant intercourse is kept up between the absentees and those Pottawatomies present on their reserve through the agency of letters written in Indian. In 1873 my predecessor in office was directed by the Office of Indian Affairs to visit the absentees, ascertain their number, and induce

as many as possible to return to their reservation; though accompanied by a delegation of influential Indians, he succeeded in removing but 63 persons, over half of whom returned in six month after their arrival here.

The Pottawatomie Reservation, of which the present "Diminished Reserve," containing 77,357.57 acres of land, is a portion, was set apart under provisions of the fourth article of the treaty made and concluded between the United States and various bands of Pottawatomie, Chippewa, and Ottawa Indians at Council Bluffs, Iowa, June 5 and 17, 1846. The "Diminished Reserve" is well watered by springs and running streams, and is sufficiently timbered to supply the present wants of the Indians. The soil is rich and warm, and usually produces large yields of the various crops raised throughout the State of Kansas. That portion of the reserve not cultivated and unsuitable for farming purposes presents excellent opportunities for grazing all kinds of stock.

This reserve is held in common, and located in different parts of it are 90 fields or farms, containing in all about 2,035 acres of land. These farms are situated on the prairie adjacent to timber and water, and are under the control of those heads of families by whom the improvements are made. During the year they were planted in wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, flax, beans, garden vegetables, &c. Owing to a prevalence of dry weather during the early spring in the immediate vicinity of the reserve, the yield of wheat and oats was light, and late corn and potatoes have suffered for the want of rain during the month of July; yet the Indians have not ceased to carefully watch their crops, and have cultivated them in a very creditable manner; indeed they seem less subject to discouragement than many white persons owning and cultivating land near their reserve.

With the exception of a superintendent of farming, whose duties are varied, no persons are employed to aid the Pottawatomies in agricultural pursuits. They break prairie with their own teams, make rails, run the necessary lines, and build fences to inclose their breaking, all in such a thorough manner as to elicit the favorable notice of every visitor to their reserve. They have without doubt as good rail fences as there are in the State of Kausas.

During the year they have built 15 substantial houses, principally log, finished with pine lumber, and a rock house, 24 by 32 feet in dimension, to be divided in six rooms, is now in course of erection. They broke 300 acres of prairie, which, owing to its unsuitable condition and the excessively hot weather, was accomplished only by a great deal of persevering labor on their part. They cut and hauled a considerable number of saw-logs to a mill operated near their reserve, and with the lumber thus obtained inclosed a number of houses and orchards. They planted a large number of shade trees and a considerable number of fruit trees, the latter being purchased with their own money.

These people have a permanent annuity of $19,500 paid to them semi-annually, and do not, as Indians usually do, expend it all for clothing and food; at least one-third is used in the purchase of lumber and such articles for domestic use as conduce to the comfort, health, and consequent happiness of their families. They are entitled to the sum of $1,009 per annum for the support of a blacksmith shop, in which a superior mechanic is employed, who is proficient in either iron or wood work. This shop is conducted on the same principle as those operated in white farming communities; the character of the work required to be done is quite as varied as in those shops, and the mechanism is required to be unquestionably good, and an Indian apprentice is employed to assist the blacksmith.

They have an ample school fund and an improvement fund, the interest of which is expended for purchase of lumber, and agricultural and other implements. They also have a general fund of $89,000, now temporarily invested, upon which there is $26,000 accrued interest, which, with the greater part of the principal, they desire shall be funded for the purposes of increasing their improvement fund from $17,900 to $60,000, and for the support of a wagon-shop. Senate bill No. 1505 was presented to the Fortysixth Congress, second session, to effect such results, and its favorable consideration by Congress at its next session is anxiously looked for by the Indians and persons interested in their welfare.

Though ponies continue to be raised in large numbers, and their possession is considered as an evidence of thrift and wealth, they are not at all indifferent to the advantages of owning American horses and cattle, and eagerly seize opportunities to obtain them. Hogs of improved breeds are raised in large numbers, and last autumn considerable pork was made into bacon instead of being consumed while fresh, as was their custom formerly.

While a number of the Pottawatomies still adhere to many of their traditions and absurd superstitions, while a few will not acknowledge the beneficent results of educasion, are skeptical as to the advantages to be derived through that state of civilization that distinguishes the better class of the white people, yet it is undeniable that as a tribe they are susceptible of a reasonable consideration of any business subject pretented to them; that they are thoroughly honest with their white neighbors and with

each other; that in a few years under proper care they have developed a love for permanent homes, to which conveniences are daily being added; that hunting has been abandoned; that they are industrious; have learned to acquire property, and hold it with a tenacity that in a reasonable period of time will enrich them; that they are now is fluenced by ideas and aspirations involving their individual elevation to such an extent that it is with difficulty a tribal organization can be sustained by chiefs and head men. The reserve of the Kickapoo Indians, containing 20,237.53 acres of land, lies in Brown County, Kansas, 35 miles north of the office of the agency; it is well watered, though but sparsely timbered, and is splendidly adapted for agricultural and grazing purposes; the soil is of a slightly better quality than that of the Pottawatomie Reserve, but of the same nature, and a greater proportion of the land is suitable for cultivation.

The tribe receives interest on $128,590, which is paid as an annuity semi-annually; also on the further sum of $93,581, which is expended for support of school, support of blacksmith shop, and purchase of lumber and farming implements.

In October last I purchased sufficient lumber for them to finish and build 27 log and frame houses, upon which the work was done at the expense of the Indians or by themselves, who also hauled the lumber from the railroad where delivered. Two houses, one of them divided in several rooms, have since been built, principally at the expense of the owners.

These Indians also hold their reserve in common and have inclosed in various good localities 64 farms, containing 1,472 acres of land, all of which was cultivated during the year and now promises a large yield of corn, potatoes, beans, and late garden vegetables. These Indians were blessed with an abundant rainfall during the farming season, and will be well provided with subsistence for themselves and stock. They have sufficient horses and ponies to do their farm work, cattle and hogs, of which they are increasing the number and value, and take excellent care. They are industrious and progressive; have in part accepted the principles of revealed religion; are interested in the education of their children, and are generally honest and reliable in their business transactions; a few of them, however, entertain uncompromising views from an Indian standpoint on all subjects introduced to them, and occasionally render themselves very disagreeable, but in such cases the reflective men of the tribe, who are largely in the majority, are given the ascendency.

In accordance with the provisions of the third article of the Kickapoo treaty proclaimed May 28, 1863, adults, being males and heads of families, who were allottees under said treaty, when deemed sufficiently intelligent to control their own affairs, at their request were and are entitled to receive patents in fee-simple for their land and their pro-rata shares of the cash credits of the tribe. A number of allottees, adults at the date of the treaty, have not as yet been recommended as competent to assume the responsibilities of citizenship, and remain members of the tribe, entitled to the benefactions of the government equally with those who retained their land in common under provisions of said treaty; but as there is a prejudice against them on the part of the last-named class and their allotments are distant from the reserve in common from eight to fifteen miles, it is difficult to do them exact justice in the distribution of implements or to fully protect them in their rights as Indians on their subdivisions of land. Several of them have abandoned their allotments and removed to the reserve, where they have made improvements.

There is no provision in the said treaty or in any later treaty or contract with the Kickapoos for the settlement of the estates of deceased adults or minors who were allottees, whether male or female; neither is opportunity afforded under existing treaties for citizenship on the part of minor allottees who have attained their majority. Death and removal have left a majority of the allotted lands in an unprotected state, and as a consequence frequent depredations are committed upon them. The complications growing out of this condition of affairs are very vexatious and seem to demand legislation authorizing as follows, viz: 1st. The appraisement and sale of lands belonging to persons of the allottee class who have removed to the reserve in common. 2d. Settlement of the estates of deceased allottees who have not be⚫ come citizens according to the probate laws of the State of Kansas. 3d. Investing allottees who were minors at the date of the treaty, and have since attained their majority, whether male or female, with the privileges conferred upon male adults by the article and treaty above mentioned.

Article 11 of the said treaty of 1863 provides that 640 acres of the Kickapoo Reserve should be reserved for a mill-site, and 320 acres should be reserved for missionary purposes; both reservations were located outside the limits of the reserve in common, and are of no advantage whatever to any class of Kickapoo Indians, as no mill has been erected on the mill-site, and no missionary houses exist on the land reserved for missionary purposes. Much of the timber standing on the mill-site has been sold or stolen, and as it is improbable that the land will ever be used for the purpose for which reserved, I respectfully recommend that it and the reservation for missionary purposes be sold, and that the interest of the proceeds be applied for promoting the agricultural and pastoral interests of the tribe.

The Pottawatomie Industrial Boarding School was established in 1873, and has been in successful operation since that date. During the year it was well attended by an intelligent class of Indian children, who were obedient, industrious, and attentive to their studies. The buildings at this school consist of a boarding-house for pupils, erected in 1871, a school-house, smoke and milk house, laundry, and barn, built in 1875. All of them are commodious, and excellently arranged for the purposes designed. Attached to this school is a farm containing 63 acres, planted in oats, corn, potatoes, and garden vegetables, all of which will yield well; a herd of over 50 head of cattle, horses, hogs, and poultry have been reared on the farm, and are supported by it.

The Kickapoos have had good educational advantages for quite a number of years, though the present system of educating their youth was not adopted until 1-70. The average attendance during the present year has been good. They have a substantial school-house, and a large boarding-house, but old and ill arranged for the proper accommodation of the number of persons occupying it; a considerable expenditure in repairing it was necessary last autumn in order to render it habitable during the winter. This school has a farm of 43 acres, 38 head of cattle, mules for farm work, hogs and poultry, which, with the exception of the mules, were raised on the farm and are sustained by it. At these schools 3 boys are detailed daily to assist on the farm, care for stock, chop wood, and do chores; 3 girls are detailed, one each to assist in the laundry, in the kitchen, and in making and mending clothes for the children, all of whom are taught to labor before and after school hours. The willingness of the children to labor, and the proficiency with which they soon learn to accomplish tasks assigned them, convince me that the Indian can be educated to a high order of industry, and that if adult Indians are thriftless, it is because they were not taught to labor, and its imperative necessity, when young.

The reserve of the Chippewa and Munsee Indians is located in Franklin County, Kansas, and contains 4,395 acres of land, the principal portion of which is held by certificate title. They all speak English, and a majority of them read and write the language understandingly; their lands were allotted to them some years since, and a number of the tracts have since been sold or leased to white persons in violation of their treaties. The introduction of white people among them, whether as purchasers or renters of land, has been a serious injury to them, inasmuch as such persons perform labor which should be done by the Indians. These sales and leases seem to have been authorized or at least encouraged by the chiefs of the bands, who persist in continuing the practice, though but lately informed of its illegality and the evil consequences that would ensue to themselves and the whites brought on the reserve by such sales or leases.

A missionary of the Moravian Church has charge of their spiritual welfare, and superintends a small school taught by one of their own number and supported by the tribe.

Timber standing on the reserves occupied by the Indians has been fully protected; their horses and ponies that strayed or were stolen have been recovered, with but rare exceptions, at slight expense, borne by the Indians themselves; no misunderstandings or difficulties have occurred between the Indians and the whites surrounding them, but they have traded and associated with each other on terms of amity and equality; no Indian has assaulted or injured another in any manner, of which complaint has been made.

The Pottawatomies and Kickapoos are entirely satisfied with their present homes, and with their treatment by the United States. They claim that they are holding their land and making improvements thereon for the benefit of their children, to whom they teach the necessity of opening farms, building houses, and gathering stock, in refutation of the charge, usually made by white men who desire their land, "that they make no use of it."

The Indians in the agency have advanced in a knowledge of the principles of the Christian religion, and I have reason to believe that a genuine interest has been developed in their minds on the subject. Their greatest progress, however, has been in attaining to that degree of civilization which involves a practical knowledge of the affairs of life, through which they have gradually been elevated from a condition of semi-barbarism to one of independence, commanding the respect of every reasonable white man.

Very respectfully,

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

H. C. LINN, United States Indian Agent.

MACKINAC AGENCY, MICHIGAN, September 1, 1880. SIR: In conformity to the instructions of the department, I have the honor to submit the following annual report of affairs pertaining to the Indians under my charge.

Since my last report no material change has been observable in the condition of the several tribes embraced within the care of the agency.

The appointment of a farmer for the Indians on Isabella Reservation has been productive, as I anticipated it would be, of the most favorable results. The Indian is so unused to the cultivation of the soil for a livelihood that he needs some instruction as to how and when his work is to be done, to expect the most favorable results. This experiment convinces me that if the amount of money formerly paid in annuities, and which was generally frittered away for that which was of no account to the Indian or tended to demoralize him, had been spent in honest improvements upon their lands, and the title to those lands had been made inalienable, where now is seen squalor and poverty there might have been thrift and competence.

I have spent the last two months in visiting as many localities as I could where the remnants of this people are scattered, and looking into their condition and prospects. I find them, where their lands will warrant it, generally cultivating their fields, and in many instances enlarging their improvements, thus making steady progress in the way of permanent civilization. Among the 10,000 people that make up the aggregate of Indians and mixed bloods, I have not met one who has not adopted the dress and habits of life of the white man.

In the neighborhoods where lumbering is carried on extensively, many of the Indians find employment at remunerative wages, and are generally well liked as employés in this capacity, not only as choppers and sawyers in the woods, but are found in various ways very useful around the mills, such as piling lumber, loading vessels, and getting the logs down the rivers, in which they cannot be excelled, and in this capacity command large wages. Others, who are in the vicinity of the mines, find employment as wood-choppers, loading ore for shipment, and in fact adapting themselves to almost every occupation which comes in their way. The steady progress of the settlement of the country makes the game and fur-bearing animals more scarce, and the remuneration of the chase more uncertain; many of the younger men in consequence know nothing of the exciting sport or profit of this employment which engrossed so much of the time and attention of their ancestors.

Our schools are quietly doing their work, and from this silent but certain influence I look for the final solution of the "Indian question." I have endeavored in every manner and at every practicable opportunity to impress upon the minds of the Indians the importance of education for their children as the means of making their way successfully in life. They are from year to year becoming more and more impressed with the importance of this, and nothing seems to stimulate them so much to send their children to school as a proposal to discontinue it.

The season has not been one of remarkable productiveness among this people; excessive rains have fallen in some places, in others drought, long and severe, has prevailed yet it will be observed that the amount of productions as the results of their labors is in advance or excess of any former year.

In speaking of this subject it is well to remark in passing, that the land given to the Chippewas of Lake Superior is not adapted to the successful cultivation of most agricultural products. Corn cannot be raised extensively, and potatoes are not always a sure crop. This year frost was severe enough to kill either on the reservation on the 15th of June and again on the 25th of August; indeed, hay is the only crop that can be relied on. Small fruits, such as strawberries, currants, and raspberries can be raised in abundance; apples and cherries to some extent. Oats are also grown successfully, wheat sometimes, but uncertain. I will not attempt to make any lengthy suggestions other than repeating my opinion of last year, that a man to reside among the Indians, working with them, directing and advising, as well as assisting in their work, having a care as well as general control of their teams, would add much to the outcome of their attempt at agricultural improvement. I would therefore suggest the propriety of the appointment of a man for this purpose, as a resident farmer for the Chippewas of Lake Superior, residing at L'Anse or vicinity.

They are all very anxious to know the precise amount and condition of their funds. The Chippewas of Lake Superior were much displeased at the refusal to give them United States bonds for the $20,000 remaining unpaid on account of the township sold in 1873, or the statement that the amount would not be so invested. As they only propose to have the interest used annually, this strikes me as a very reasonable request; it certainly would seem but justice that it should be granted, and, as stated above, these Indians are not only anxious to have a knowledge of their funds now in control of the Government, but they think they should be consulted in advance of the disposition of them; that is, they should be convened in solemn conclave, as in the olden time, and in formal council agree how many animals and tools and what kind they should receive. In fine, they deem themselves competent to manage their own affairs without the intervention of an agent, and think their moneys should be given them to dispose of at their own discretion, an attribute which the average Indian does not seem to possess to any great extent.

I am glad to inform the department that in many neighborhoods the children have