An estimate of appropriation to pay for improvements by settlers on lands set apart for Makah Indians in Washington Territory. FEBRUARY 4, 1874.-Referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Washington, D. C., January 31, 1874. SIR: I have the honor to present, herewith, for the action of Congress, an estimate of appropriation for twenty-three thousand six hundred and eight dollars and thirty-four cents, ($23,608.34,) or so much thereof as may be required to pay for the improvements of H. A. Webster, W. B. McCollum, and A. Colby, made on a certain tract of land, withdrawn from sale, in pursuance of Executive order dated October 21, 1873, (amendatory of Executive orders dated October 6, 1872, and January 2, 1873,) and added to the reservation set apart for the Makah tribe of Indians of Washington Territory, under the provisions of the second article of the treaty with said Indians of January 31, 1855, and to pay the expenses incurred in making the appraisement of said improvements. A copy of a communication, dated the 29th instant, from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, submitting the estimate and reporting the facts in the case, is also herewith transmitted for the information of Congress. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The SPEAKER House of Representatives. C. DELANO, Secretary. Estimate of appropriation required to pay for the improvements made by settlers on a certain tract of land set apart for the Makah tribe of Indians in Washington Territory, and to pay the expenses incurred in making appraisements of said improvements : For this amount, or so much thereof as may be required to pay for the improvements of H. A. Webster, V. B. McCollum, and A. Colby, made on a certain tract of land withdrawn from sale in pursuance of Executive order dated October 21, 1873, (amendatory of Executive orders of October 6. 1872, and January 2, 1873,) and added to the reservation set apart for the Makah tribe of Indians of Washington Territory, under the provisions of the second article of the treaty with said Indians of January 31, 1855....$22,400 09 For this amount, or so much thereof as may be required to pay the expenses incurred in making appraisements of said improvements.. 1,208 34 23,608 34 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. C., January 29, 1874. SIR: I have the honor to invite your attention to the following report relative to the improvements made by H. A. Webster and others on the tract of land withdrawn from sale and added to the reservation set apart for the Makah tribe of Indians in Washington Territory, in pursuance of Executive order dated October 21, 1873, (amendatory of Executive orders under dates of October 6, 1872, and January 2, 1873.) After the treaty of January 31, 1855, with said Indians had been concluded, (see Stat., vol. 12, p. 939,) it was discovered that there was no land embraced within the boundaries of the reservation referred to, as provied by the second article of said treaty, suitable for cultivation or for the erection of agency buildings. This being the case, it became necessary to occupy a tract outside of the limits of the reserve, in order to secure a proper place for the erection of said buildings, as well as a quantity of land fit for farming purposes. Hence the Executive orders above referred to. Improvements having been made on the said additional tract of land prior to its being set apart for the purpose indicated, it was deemed important for the Government to obtain a relinquishment of all claims growing out of said improvements. With this end in view, this Office directed an appraisement of the improvements by the agent in charge of the Neah Bay reservation, which was objected to on the part of Mr. Webster as being totally inadequate to compensate him for his outlay. Subsequently, and in accordance with instructions from the Department, under date of April 25 last, this Office directed a new appraisement to be made by three persons, one to be selected by the superintendent of Indian affairs for Washington Territory, one by Mr. Webster, and the other by the two so selected. An appraisement was accordingly made by Messrs. J. F. Devore, J. B. Montgomery, and George D. Hill, who had been selected for the purpose in the order above referred to, resulting in the following awards: In favor of II. A. Webster on acccount of his improvements, consisting of One dwelling-house and store, one cottage house, one hennery, one wood-shed and water-closet, one carpentershop, one Indian dwelling and store-room, one warehouse, (No. 1, back,) one warehouse, (No. 2, front,) one Indian dwelling, one boat-house, barn and pig-sty, railroad and cars... $20, 100 00 In favor of V. B. McCollum for a frame dwelling-house and Making an aggregate of. 1, 000 00 1,300 00 22,400 00 It having been determined by the Department to adhere to this appraisement, I have, in accordance with the suggestions made in your letter of the 27th instant upon the subject, caused an estimate to be prepared for an appropriation required to pay for the said improvements, as valued by Messrs. Devore, Montgomery, and Hill, and to meet the cost of the appraisements made thereof, which is respectfully presented, herewith, with the recommendation that it be submitted for the favorable consideration and action of Congress. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. E. P. SMITH, Commissioner. SAGINAW RIVER. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR, IN ANSWER TO A resolution of the House of February 4, 1874, transmitting a report of the survey and estimate of cost for the improvement of the Saginaw River, in the State of Michigan. FEBRUARY 10, 1874.-Referred to the Committee on Commerce and ordered to be printed. WAR DEPARTMENT, The Secretary of War has the honor to transmit to the House of Representatives, in compliance with House resolution of the 4th instant, letter of the Chief of Engineers, dated February 6, 1874, and report of the survey and estimate of cost for the improvement of the Saginaw River, in the State of Michigan. WM. W. BELKNAP, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, SIR: I have to acknowledge the reference to this office, for report, of the following resolution of the House of Representatives of February 4, 1874, viz: "That the Secretary of War be, and is hereby, instructed to transmit to this House copies of the report of survey and estimate of cost for the improvement of the Saginaw River, in the State of Michigan, now on file in said War Department, that the same may be referred to the Committee on Commerce," and beg leave to submit herewith a copy of the report on the survey referred to, dated January 24, 1874, made, under instruction from this office, by Major G. Weitzel, Corps of Engineers. The resolution of the House of Representatives is herewith respectfully returned. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. A. HUMPHREYS, Brigadier-General and Chief of Engineers. Hon. W. W. BELKNAP, |