Speech #450018896

I also present a joint memorial of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon. in which they represent that the Siletz Indian reservation "embraces an area of 175.000 acres of land. much of which is suitable for cultivation. that in the year 1855 there were located on said reservation twentyeight hundred Indians. and they have decreased in numbers since that time to less than six hundred. that only a small proportion of the six hundred Indians till or improve any part of said land. that recently. by order of the General Government. a new agency. within the boundaries of said Siletz reservation. and near the mouth of Salmon River. has been established. on which the Nestucka. Salmon River. and Alsea Indians are in part located." The memorialists "farther represent that this new agency is amply large enough to accommodate all the Indians on the Siletz reservation. and is well adapted to their wants. being near the coast. where an abundance of game and shellfish supply an easy and certain living. In view of the fact that thousands of acres of good land for agricultural purposes is lying idle. while immigrants front the East are seeking homes in Oregon." they "respectfully and earnestly ask that all the land. except so much as is necessary for the requirements of the new Salmon River agency. and that which is at present occupied by Indians. who have built dwellinghouses. barns. and improved their lands. and who express a desire to remain on said farms. be thrown open to settlement." The memorialists. therefore. "urge upon your honorable body that a law may be passed at anearly day for the extinguishment of the Indian title to the Siletz reskrvation.and for preparing the same for settlement." Imove that the memorial be referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.