and
agricultural implements. They were very reluctant to leave all
this, but when Congress had resolved upon their removal they
finally overcame that reluctance and obeyed. Considering
their constant good conduct, their obedient spirit, and the
sacrifices they have made, they are certainly entitled to
more than ordinary care at the hands of the Government, and I
urgently recommend that liberal provision be made to aid them
in their new settlement.

In the same volume the report of E.A. Howard, the agent of the Poncas,
is published, which contains the following:

* * * * *

I am of the opinion that the removal of the Poncas from the
northern climate of Dakota to the southern climate of the
Indian Territory at the season of the year it was done will
prove a mistake, and that a great mortality will surely follow
among the people when they shall have been here for a time and
become poisoned with the malaria of the climate. Already the
effects of the climate may be seen upon them in the _ennui_
that seems to have settled upon each and in the large number
now sick.

It is a matter of astonishment to me that the Government
should have ordered the removal of the Ponca Indians from
Dakota to the Indian Territory without having first made
some provision for their settlement and comfort. Before their
removal was carried into effect an appropriation should have
been made by Congress sufficient to have located them in their
new home, by building a comfortable house for the occupancy
of every family of the tribe. As the case now is, no
appropriation has been made by Congress, except for a sum but
little more than sufficient to remove them; no houses have
been built for their use, and the result is that these people
have been placed on an uncultivated reservation to live in
their tents as best they may, and await further legislative
action.

* * * * *

These Indians claim that the Government had no right to move
them from their reservation without first obtaining from them
by purchase or treaty the title which they had acquired
from the Government, and for which they rendered a valuable
consideration. They claim that the date of the settlement of
their tribe upon the land composing their old reservation is
prehistoric; that they were all born there, and that their
ancestors from gene