I have just returned from Lac Courte d’Oreille, where I have been to deliver the annual goods and supplies, and to superintend the farming operations carried on upon that reservation. Garden and field seed had been sent forward early in the season, and the farmer and assistant had progressed finely with the work. I found a larger number of Indians gathered upon the reservation than at any time since the first year I came to the agency. This is accounted for by reason of the late visit of three of their chiefs to their great father at Washington. The report had gone abroad among the roving bands that the bills had passed Congress, and they expected to meet the Indian Commissioners to counsel upon the sale of their timber, from which they believed they were to receive large sums of money.
All the roving Indians within a hundred miles had gathered, and were awaiting my arrival. I soon put their minds at rest, however, on that score, and informed them that those who helped themselves the Government would help, but no others. In looking over their patches, for their farms are in miniature as yet, they were seen to be well tended and well fenced; and as I looked upon the nearly twelve hundred Indians as they received their goods, for which the males between the ages of 18 and 45 had worked under the direction of the farmer, I could not but compare them with the same number gathered in the fall of 1873. Then they wore long hair, blankets, feathers, paint, &c.; they were dirty, filthy and almost eaten up with vermin. Now they are clean, with short hair, blankets rare, little paint, no feathers, and most of them well clothed. The dresses of the females were in the latest fashion; and many of them had on hats. The men wore clean white or colored shirts, and hats or caps. They prized the agricultural implements, hoes, rakes, scythes, plows, grub hoes, &c., all being in great demand. Some years ago they wanted blankets, beads and trinkets. They seemed delighted with the idea of a boarding-school such as we agreed upon while I was East. There was an entire absence of that domineering spirit which characterized them in ‘73. They received the goods with thankfulness. Mildness and gentleness were pictured upon every face. They respected their agent and loved the Government that dealt with them so bountifully. This is the reservation on which Mr. and Mrs. Holt commenced the work of civilization. Truly the seed was well planted, and although for years we have only been able to hold our own, now, as the times look favorable, we hope for grand results.
These are the Indians who must go to the personal care of another. I leave them with sadness, yet cherishing a grand hope of their future. I have done what I could, and hope they may fall into good hands, for the field is ripe for the harvest. Give them a good agent who understands them and will toil for them, and I have no fear. The Lac de Flambeau are much in the same condition, but the other Indians of this agency are able to care for themselves.
THE CHINESE.
“CALIFORNIA CHINESE MISSION.”
Auxiliary to the American Missionary Association.
President: Rev. J. K. McLean, D. D. Vice-Presidents: Rev. A. L. Stone, D. D., Thomas C. Wedderspoon, Esq., Rev. T. K. Noble, Hon. F. F. Low, Rev. I. E. Dwinell, D. D., Hon. Samuel Cross, Rev. S. H. Willey, D. D., Edward P. Flint, Esq., Rev. J. W. Hough, D. D., Jacob S. Taber, Esq.
Directors: Rev. George Mooar, D. D., Hon. E. D. Sawyer, Rev. E. P. Baker, James M. Haven, Esq., Rev. Joseph Rowell, Rev. John Kimball, E. P. Sanford, Esq.
Secretary: Rev. W. C. Pond. Treasurer: E. Palace, Esq.