presents is perhaps right and just, yet it is by no means pleasing to
the exposed frontiersman. The Indian argues that these gifts are but
rights which he is forced to receive in lieu of his hunting grounds,
with which he is very loath to part, no matter what be the terms or
consideration offered. The inference which he draws is, that he can
use these presents as he pleases. Money, in the hands of wild Indians,
is almost worthless to them, and paying it for their lands by way of
annuity, is extreme folly. Some of them in time, as they have become
half civilized, begin to appreciate the value of money. Such only,
should be allowed to receive or accept it. They sometimes desire it by
way of ornament. Then by the usual means of exchanging property, they
know how, easily, to obtain it. Every tribe has its own peculiarities
in respect to its wants, and the best judge of these is the agent, who
should be first chosen for his honor, integrity and skill, and then
allowed a large discretion in his decisions.

The distance to be traveled over while on this duty was in the
vicinity of two hundred and fifty miles, and was performed, like all
of Kit's previous journeys, on horseback. Indeed, there are but
few men living or dead, who have ridden in the saddle over as much
territory as the man we write of. On his way to the Utah village, Kit
accidentally fell in with the Apaches; but as he was constantly on the
look out, and therefore first in making the discovery, he lost no time
in effecting his escape from them, by changing his course. He thus
was able to pass around them in perfect safety. Kit Carson met with
no difficulty in finding the Utahs, among whom he spent two days
investigating their affairs. Just before parting with them, he left
directions for them to be at the council at the time appointed, which
was in the _new moon_ of October. Notwithstanding his path was beset
with the same perils that existed on his outward journey, yet by
careful traveling he surmounted them all, and arrived at his home safe
and sound. Little or nothing worth noting transpired until the
time arrived for him to set out for Abiquiu, where all parties soon
assembled in grand council and proceeded to business. Speeches were
made by the superintendent, by Kit Carson, and also by the head
chiefs. After these interesting proceedings were gone through with,
the annuities, to which the band were entitled according to their
treaty, were presented to them,