the Utah and Northern Railroad Company, an officer of the government obtained an agreement from the Shoshones and Bannocks living on the Fort Hall Reservation, Idaho, by which the right of way and the necessary lands for railroad purposes east and west across the reservation were granted on the payment of suitable compensation; the agreement, however, to be ratified by Congress. The treaty with these Indians makes no provisions for railroads.
On August 22,1881, the Crow Indians, on the Crow Reserve, Montana, entered into an agreement permitting the Northern Pacific Railroad Company to construct its road through the reservation, subject to ratification by Congress, there being no treaty providing for the same.
On June 18, 1881, the Atchison and Nebraska Railroad Company obtained permission from the Iowa Indians on the Iowa Reserve, Nebraska, to construct a road north and south through their reservation, in accordance with treaty stipulations.
My purpose is to submit to Congress, with my recommendation, the above-mentioned agreements for such action as may be deemed appropriate.
In addition to the above negotiations, an agent of the department is now in the Choctaw country, with directions to submit to the constituted authorities of that Nation the application of several railroads which desire the privilege of constructing their lines through the Choctaw country north and south. If the Nation acts favorably on the applications, and the same meet my approval, I will also transmit them to Congress for its action.
In May, 1880, in accordance with the provisions of the treaty with the Ute Indians in Colorado, the President issued a proclamation giving permission to the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company to cross over and occupy so much of the Ute Eeservation in Colorado as might be necessary for the right of way. Last spring, while the company was constructing its road under the proclamation, I received information that the Indians on the reservation had become alarmed at the presence of the working force of the railroad, and I immediately notified the president of the company that it must compensate the Indians for its occupation of their lands, or directions would be given to stop its construction. I have received no satisfactory answer to this and other similar communications, neither has any compensation been paid to the Indians for the occupation of their lands. I understand that the railroad has been constructed and is now in operation through that part of the Ute Reservation which is still occupied by Indians. I beg to recommend that suitable action be taken by Congress looking to an adjustment of the rights of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad and the Indians in this transaction. It cannot be expected that the Indians will remain satisfied so long as the railroad company shall continue to make use of their lands without suitable compensation.
