reason for apprehending such a result unless some such measure as I suggest is adopted at an early day.

If further argument or information is needed to induce the Government to take immediate action in this matter, I would respectfully refer to my report concerning the Mission Indians, under date of October 28, 1873.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,

JOHN G. AMES,

Late Special Agent to the Mission Indians.

Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C.

Report of Special Agent John G. Ames, in regard to the condition of the Mission Indians of California, with recommendations.

WASHINGTON, D. C., October 28, 1873. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report touching the "number, location, and condition of the so-called Mission Indians of Southern California," with such recommendations in their behalf as seem best adapted to meet the exigencies of their situation.

In accordance with your instructions, I proceeded in May last to Southern California, where, on the 1st of June, I fixed the headquarters of the agency at Los Angeles. At this point I was detained several weeks, in consequence of the severe illness of a mem ber of my family. This detention, however, was rather favorable than otherwise to the investigation upon which I was about to enter. It gave me the opportunity of learning the views of many of the citizens of Los Angeles and vicinity concerning the Mission Indian question, of acquainting myself with many facts in regard to the past history and management of these Indians, tending to throw light upon their present condition, and of advising with those whom I found best informed upon the subject as to what was best to be done with and for them. It gave me, also, the opportunity of learning, from the officers of the land-office at Los Angeles, so far as the records of that office indicate, the status of land in Southern California, which will aid materially in the solution of this question. I will say in this connection that I found the sentiment of the people of Los Angeles for the most part friendly to the Indians, and in favor of the Government doing something without delay in their behalf. There is a general feeling among those who give any attention to the subject that action in the premises has already been too long neglected, increasing the grievances of which the Indians complain, and making it ever more difficult to remedy the evils to which they are subject.

During my stay at Los Angeles I had several conferences with Indians of the San Luis Rey tribe; the first on June 12, with certain Indians living in Los Angeles, who expressed their gratification that the attention of the Government was at length directed to them, and their hope that they might soon be secure in the enjoyment of their rights. They desired especially that their title to lands now occupied by thein should be so confirmed that they could not be driven from them by white men, and thought if this were done the Indians could easily take care of themselves.

Information having been communicated to the Indians living at Pala and vicinity that an agent of the Government had reached Los Angeles, I was in a few days visited by Olegario, actual chief of the large majority of the San Luis Rey tribe, though not recognized as such by the late superintendent of Indian affairs for California. Olegario was accompanied by ten of his captains. With these Indians I had protracted interviews on the 23d of June and on the 3d and 5th of July. They had come to lay their grievances before me and to ask the speedy interposition of the Government in their behalf.

The burden of their complaint was to the effect that they had been gradually driven from the lands which they or their fathers once occupied, the title to which they thought justly belonged to them, until at the present time but little available land remained to them; that white men were in many cases endeavoring to take from them the lands upon which they are living, and by the cultivation of which they gain a partial support; that they were frequently annoyed by the settlers interfering with water upon which they depended for irrigation, corraling their stock, and subjecting them to fine for the same, or taking it from them altogether, threatening them with violence, and in other ways invading what they believe to be their rights; that in dis posing of lands the agents of the Government have never recognized the possessory rights of the Indians, and that in consequence they have been, and are still, obliged to abandon lands which they have held in immemorial possession, and to remove from

places to which they are specially attached, as the home and the burial-ground of their ancestors, and this without any provision being made for them elsewhere.

They desired the Government to interfere to prevent this being done hereafter, and to secure them in the possession of the lands now occupied by them. If this was done they could readily support themselves, and were willing to do so, without aid from the Government, except in the matter of farming implements and seed and clothing for the supply of their immediate wants.

They urged, furthermore, as a special grievance, that their right to elect their own chief had been interfered with by the late superintendent, and that the Government recognizes as chief an Indian who was repudiated by nearly all the tribe, against whom they protested at the time of his appointment, two years ago, and whose authority they had since disregarded. They wished, a new election ordered, that the tribe might choose its own chief and be no longer even nominally subject to one to whom so few owed allegiance.

In reply I assured them of the sincere desire of the Government to secure their rights and promote their interests, and of its intention to do whatever might be found practicable in this direction; that I had been sent out by the Government to hear their story, to examine carefully into their condition and recommend such measures as seemed under the circumstances most desirable; that I should, as soon as possible, visit them in their homes and see with my own eyes how they were situated, so that I might be better able to advise in their behalf.

It was a matter of special gratification to me that at the conference with Olegario and his captains, held July 3, General B. R. Cowen, the Assistant Secretary of the Interior, was present to listen to their story and to give them wise counsel. General Cowen expressed himself as particularly pleased with their appearance, and hopeful of their future if they were to be regarded as specimens of the Mission Indians.

TOUR OF INVESTIGATION.

On July 7 I started on a tour of investigation among the Indian settlements of the San Luis Rey tribe, accompanied by Mr. L. E. Sleigh, who, with the approval of the Indian Office, had been appointed clerk of this agency, and by Mr. Louis Wartenberg as interpreter.

We reached San Juan Capistrano the next day, where we called upon Rev. Jos. Matt of the Roman Catholic Church, whom we found much interested in the Indians of that locality and in possession of information of interest in regard to the pueblo lands adjacent to the mission property. He showed us copies of record matter obtained at great trouble and expense from the archives at San Francisco, from which it appears that the pueblo of San Juan Capistrano was in the year 1841 actually subdivided by the Mexican authorities among the inhabitants, the Indians sharing with the Mexicans in this distribution.

If the claim of the Indians residing there, of whom there are about forty souls, can be established, as Rev. Mr. Mutt believes, the problem as far as they are concerned will be easily solved.

On the 11th we proceeded to San Luis Rey, where are to be found half a dozen families of Indians living upon land in dispute between them and one John Somers. The condition of these Indians, as well as the facts in the case of this dispute, are ably set before the Department by the late superintendent, C. B. Whiting, in a special report under date of May 19, 1873, to which reference is respectfully made.

On the 12th we proceeded thence to the city of San Diego, remaining there until the following Monday evening for the purpose of conferring with some of the citizens of the place as to the condition of the Indians of the country and the course best to be pursued by the Government to better their condition. A diversity of opinion prevails, but all agree that the disputes between the Indians and Americans involving titles to land should be speedily settled.

Reaching Pawai on Monday evening, I was there detained by illness two days, but sent Mr. Sleigh and the interpreter forward to visit certain Indian villages with the understanding that we should meet at Pala, the headquarters of the San Luis Rey tribe. Mr. Sleigh's report of his detour is here inserted :

"LOS ANGELES, CAL., July 31, 1873. "DEAR SIR: I bave the honor to submit the following report of my visit to the Indian villages of San Pasqual, Santa Ysabel, and Agua Caliente, in the county of San Diego, State of California.

"I reached San Pasqual on the 15th instant, from Pawai, where you were yourself detained. I proceeded at once to the house of Panto Lion, captain of the village, and requested him to summon his people together on the following morning for a conference, at the same time explaining to him that we had been sent by the Government at Washington to inquire into their condition and to ascertain if anything could be done by the Government to aid them.

"The villagers began to assemble early. At the appointed hour the captain rose, and in a short speech in the Indian language, which seemed to be both eloquent and well appreciated, gave his hearers to understand the errand upon which I visited them. A lively interest was manifested by every one. They complained of the encroachments of their American neighbors upon their land, and pointed to a house near by, built by one of the more adventurous of his class, who claimed to have pre-empted the land upon which the larger part of the village lies. On calling upon the man afterward, I found that such was really the case, and that he had actually paid the price of the land to the register of the land-office of this district, and was daily expecting the patent from Washington. He owned it was hard to wrest from these well-disposed and industrious creatures the homes they had built up. But,' said he, ' if I had not done it somebody else would, for all agree that the Indian has no right to public lands.' These Indians further complain that settlers take advantage of them in every way pos sible; employ them to work and insist on paying them in trifles that are of no account to them; dock' them for imaginary neglect, or fail entirely to pay them; take up their stock on the slightest pretext and make exorbitant charges for damages and detention of the stock seized. They are in many cases unable to redeem it. They have therefore little encouragement to work or to raise stock. Nor do they care to plant fruit-trees or grape-vines as long as land thus improved may be taken from them, as has been the case in very many instances. Among the little homes included in the pre-emption claim above referred to are those adorned with trees and vines. Instead of feeling secure and happy in the possession of what little is left to them, they are continually filled with anxiety. They claim that they ought to be allowed to remain where their forefathers have lived for so long, and that they should be protected by law in the peaceful possession of the homes that have been handed down to them.

"I asked how they would like for their children to go to school, learn to speak the English language, and to live more like white people. It would be very nice, they replied, but it would do them little good if they could not have their homes protected.

"I asked them how they would like to be moved to some place where they could be better protected, have ground of their own secured to them, and more comfortable homes. The answer was, 'Our fathers lived and died here, and we would rather live here than at any other place.'

"In conclusion I assured them that I should report what I had learned about them. and that I had little doubt but that the Government at Washington would be able to do something to better their condition, charging them at the same time to strive, as I felt they had been doing, to keep the peace among themselves and with the whites. "I proceeded thence by the most direct route to Santa Ysabel rancheria. On reach ing that place, I found the captain, Augustine, absent; sent a messenger for him, and also one for the chief of the Diegenes, Pablo Pene, who lives in a neighboring rancheria. There are about one hundred and twenty-five souls at Santa Ysabel. They occupy the finest valley of the rauch of the same name, on one side of which are about twenty adobe houses for winter-quarters, while on the other side, near their fields of grain, are as many brush-houses, now occupied. At the time that I reached the village, men, women, and children were scattered over the fields harvesting their grain. Some were reaping, some thrashing, some grinding, while near the houses women were making it into bread for immediate use. It was altogether an interesting picture to look upon.

"The chief and captain arrived during the night, and as soon as possible in the morn ing I sought a conference with them in relation to the condition and wants of their people. I was glad to find them exempt from many of the annoyances of which the Indians of San Pasqual complain. The land which they occupy is claimed under a grant from the Mexican government by private parties, who have hesitated to nudertake to eject the Indians for fear of violence on their part in resisting, as they (the Indians) dispute any ownership more sacred than their own, aud insist that they should not be disturbed ia their possession.

"I reached Agua Caliente on the 17th instant. From a notched stick given me by the captain of the village, José Maria Moro, it appears that there are one hundred and sixty-eight Indians at that place. The land upon which they live has been understood to be of the public domain, until a recent survey of Warner's ranch betrayed the fact that it was included within the boundary of said ranch. The owners of the ranch threaten to drive them away, and settlers have interfered with their water-privileges, and annoy them in many ways. On the whole they have little to encourage them, and begin to feel that the white man is their enemy.

"My talk with the Indians of Santa Ysabel and Agua Caliente was substantially the same as at San Pasqual. They look to the Government to relieve them of the difficulties under which they now labor. They are peaceably disposed, and for the most part industrious, and deserve better treatment than they get.

"At San Pasqual and Agua Caliente I was called upon by white settlers, the majority of whom had no good word for their dusky neighbors. They are thieves; they are treacherous; they are vagabonds.' It was urged that they should be taken to some one of the Territories and surrounded by soldiers to keep them at home, or to some

island in the sea. I found, however, little in my journey to confirm such opinions, but was glad to note many indications of thrift. I could but wonder, indeed, that they are as reliable, honest, and peaceable as I found them to be. The sentiments entertained by very many white men in Southern California toward the Indians are well illustrated in the conclusion to which the proprietor of a small ranch near Temecula came in presenting the subject to me from his stand-point. It is well to mention that a family of Indians has occupied one corner of his ranch from time immemorial.' His wise and humane (?) conclusion was that the owners of large ranches should not drive 'their Indians' away, but should keep them to work for them, and set apart certain portions of the ranch for them. There is worthless land enough upon every ranch,' he said, 'for Indians to live on.'

The Indians of San Pasqual and Santa Ysabel belong to the Diegenes tribe, with Pable Pene chief, while those of Agua Caliente are Coahuila Indians, under the chiefship of Manuel Largo. The two tribes speak different dialects; a few in either tribe wan speak the Spanish language, but I found none able to converse in English. The aggregate number of the Diegenes is estimated at one thousand, distributed in about hfteen rancherias, which are situated in the central and southern portions of the county of San Diego.

"All of which I have the honor to submit.

"Rev. JOHN G. AMES,

"Special Agent Mission Indians."

"LUTHER E. SLEIGH.

Proceeding by way of San Pasqual and Bear Valley, for the purpose of examining the country with reference to a reservation, I reached Pala on the 18th, where, on the next day, I had interviews with José Antonio Sal, chief, and with Manuelita Cota, ex-chief of the tribe; also visited the flourishing Palma rancheria on the Palma grant, reaching Rincon, the residence of Olegario, whom most of the tribe acknowledge as chief, the same evening. Here I was rejoined by Mr. Sleigh on the 20th.

It being Sunday, we held in the evening a religious service, which was attended by most of the Indians of the rancheria, who gave respectful attention to the words addressed to them. At their special request this service was concluded with the recital of a portion of the liturgy of the Catholic Church, one of their own number leading and the rest responding.

Visiting the potrero, near by, on the next day, I found an Indian family of unusual interest, because of their greater intelligence and generally recognized superiority among the tribe. The head of the family was absent, but his wife, Margarita," known far and wide among the Indians, seemed quite competent to take the management of affairs in his absence. This Indian woman claims a half league of land which was granted by the Mexican government to her grandmother, and which she now holds by her mother's will in trust for the heirs of the same. The rancheria upon this land is composed chiefly of these heirs, who derive from the land a comfortable subsistence. Returning to Rincon, I had the good fortune to witness in the evening one of the traditional dances in which the Indians take so much.delight. It was conducted in an orderly manner, nor was it carried to excess, and could hardly be regarded by any as other than a safe and commendable amusement for them.

On the 21st, at this place, a conference was held with the San Luis Rey Indians. Runners had been sent out to inform those living in the different rancherias, and a large number had come together eager to hear the news from Washington. This tribe takes its title from the Mission of that name. It is farther advanced in civilization than any other tribe of the so-called Mission Indians. They have the reputation of being industrious, and for the most part peaceable, and but for the difficulties they labor under, in consequence of the unsettled condition of land matters and the disregard of their rights by the settlers, would be self-sustaining and make reliable citizens.

At present they are in trouble about their chief, as indicated at the conference at Los Angeles. A large majority prefer Olegario, and if an election were held now he would doubtless be chosen. He is intelligent above the average, peaceably disposed toward the whites, capable of controlling his Indians-for he is virtually chief, notwithstanding the action of the late superintendent-and is at the same time an enthusiastic defender of his people and disposed to take advanced grounds on questions of their rights. A more competent man altogether cannot be found in the tribe.

Manuelita Cota and Francisco Magla, ex-chiefs, and José Antonio Sal, chief, were also present at the conference. We were obliged to employ two interpreters, in order that all could be made to understand what we had to say. I began by reading my letter of instruction, and explained the same to them. Much satisfaction was expressed at the prospect of relief from the Government at Washington.

They complained that they were subjected to many indignities from white neighbors who covet the lands occupied by them; that the water they had long depended upon for irrigation had been turned out of its course, rendering their lands useless. Lands that they have supposed to belong to them have, on various pretexts, been wrested from

them. They feel that the Government should protect them from injustice in such matters. They also expressed a desire that schools should be established among them, so that their children may learn to speak the English language and live more like Americans.

I explained to them, at length, the law in relation to the Government and grant lands upon which they live; also, the laws of the State relative to the care of stock, and trespass by the same.

In regard to the election of a chief, about which intense feeling prevails, I told then I would refer the question to the Government for instructions, as I had no authority to order an election at present.

In conclusion, addressing Olegario and his captains, and then José Antonio Sal ard his captains, I charged them to see that the peace be kept and the rights of everybody's property respected; that there should be no strife among themselves, but that all should work together for the common good.

The aggregate number of the San Luis Rey tribe, as reported by the several captains, is nine hundred and seventy-five. These are distributed in ten rancherias, scattered over the northwestern portions of San Diego County and located some upon Government and some upon grant lands.

On the whole the conference resulted satisfactorily. The Indians expressed themselves as willing and anxious to live at peace with the settlers, and ready to wait patiently, yet longer, for the Government to take such action as will secure them in the enjoyment of their rights. They preferred many requests, most of which are inplied in the recommendations which are to follow.

Leaving Rincon we rode over the mountains to Temecula, where is an Indian village, and from thence returned to Los Angeles.

On the 1st of August I set out to visit the Coahuila Indians. This tribe is divided into two sections, one under Cobezon as chief, living in San Gorgonio Pass, and in the desert beyond; the other, under Manuel Largo, located principally in the San Jacinto and Coahuila Valleys south of the San Jacinto Monntains. The existence of the firstmentioned section of this tribe has seldom, if ever, been recognized in any official report concerning the Indians of Southern California.

Proceeding by way of San Bernardino, I visited Mr. M. H. Crafts, residing near San Gorgonio Pass, whose letters to the Indian Office in regard to these Indians had been referred to me by the honorable Commissioner. I found Mr. Crafts thoroughly interested in their welfare, and well qualified, through twelve years' acquaintance and friendly intercourse with them, to render me efficient service. He accompanied me in my visit to the desert, where, in our conference with the Indians, I saw in their manifest regard for him how readily their confidence and good-will are awakened by kindly treatment and sympathy.

A messenger was dispatched to summon Cabezon and his captains to meet me at the potrero in the San Gorgonio Pass, on the following Wednesday. Proceeded through the pass as far as Warm Spring Station for the purpose of visiting a rancheria there located, and of ascertaining from actual observation the condition of the desert Indians, returning to the potrero to meet Cabezon according to appointment.

The venerable old man, supposed to be upwards of ninety years of age, arrived about noon of the day designated, at the bead of a company of horsemen in single file. heralded by a marshal in uniform, who announced the approach of the chief and captains with much pomp and noise. The company seemed much exhausted from the fatigue of their hot ride through the desert, while the condition of their horses indicated great destitution in the matter of pasturage. Cabezon had the previous day sent an urgent request that meat and flour should be furnished them on their arrival. as they were not able to supply themselves with food at the conference. I could not do otherwise than comply with this request, purchasing the necessary provision of a white settler in the pass. This aged chief is in many respects a remarkable man. He is venerated by all his people, over whom he has long exercised a powerful influence and always in the interest of peace and good-will toward the whites. Even when their rights have been disregarded and their enmity excited, he has withheld them from acts of hostility, persuading them to wait until the Government should come to their aid. Through his influence, also, the tribe has been kept from allying itself with the tribes on the Colorado River for the purpose of making war upon the whites. His efforts seem from the first to have been devoted to the preservation of the peace between the two races.

The mind shudders at the contemplation of what would probably have been the results to the inhabitants of San Bernardino County had Cabezon and his tribe assumed a different attitude. More than this, the whites of that section of Califorma have been largely dependent upon these Indians in the care of their farms, much of the labor in all departments of farm-work being performed by them. Many of the land-owners would have been subject to great inconvenience had not this Indian labor been available. In the mean time the Indians have reaped no permanent advantage