Part 65 (1/2)

Great patience may be required in settling the differences that will arise, and I trust that you will, at all times, bear in mind that you are laboring for a race who are docile and reasonable when they are made fully to understand the wherefore, etc., of any proposition.

I regret that the Commissioner of Indian Affairs has not furnished this office with more specific instructions in the premises.

This order to make allotment is in antic.i.p.ation of orders from the commissioner, which, I have no doubt, will be forwarded at an early day. At all events, the necessity of immediate action is obvious.

July 20th, Wm. R. Dunbar was instructed to enroll all the Indians of Grand Ronde Agency, including those of Nestucker and Tillamook. Mr. Dunbar reported the enrolment complete, a copy of which you will find in your office.

It is possible that some changes have occurred in the arrangement of families, of which you will take note, and correct the same in making statement of allotment.

You will also be particular to see that the original and present name and tribe, together with s.e.x, estimated age, and relations.h.i.+p to families with whom they are residing at the time of allotment, be identified with the number of the particular tract allotted to such person or family.

In this connection it is necessary, in cases of plurality of wives, that each man shall designate one woman to be his legal wife, and all others to be members of his family, with the privilege of forming other marriage relations, taking with them the lands allotted in their respective names.

Orphan children, who are _attached_ to families, must have the same rights.

It would seem proper that, so far as possible, these people should be allowed to retain their present homes, and to adjust their respective rights among themselves; but it will be necessary, in some cases, to a.s.sume control and adjudicate differences.

Inasmuch as there are several treaties in force with the Grand Ronde Indians, in the complications arising therefrom I would advise that the treaty with Willamette Valley Indians be adopted as the guide, without regard to the other treaties.

Let the allotment be uniform to all persons ent.i.tled to lands, as per instructions of commissioner in reply to queries, and above referred to.

Should any number of your people elect to remove to Nestucker, and there take lands in severalty, it would seem right, perhaps, to do so. Land will be ordered, surveyed at the places above referred to, and possibly also at Salmon river.

I do not know of any other instructions or laws to guide you, except this: In absence of law, do justice fairly and impartially. Law is supposed to be in harmony with justice and common sense; and, if it is not, it is _not good law_.

Fully realizing the difficulties in your way in fulfilling this order, and having confidence in your integrity and ability, I can only say, in conclusion, push this matter through, and furnish this office, at an early day, full report of your doings, together with statistical table of allotments made under the rules and instructions furnished you.