The Umatillas
move. Within two months of this "clamorous" report, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in his report to the Secretary of the Interior, re-states the case in more diplomatic form:
"The question has been raised whether they should not be removed to some other locality, as they are constantly annoyed by the encroachments of the whites, who covet the possession of their fertile and valuable lands, lying, as they do, on the highway to Boisé City and Salt Lake. The Superintendent recommends the appointment of a commission to arrange for a sale of their lands, and their settlement upon some other reservation."
This is plain enough. The Indians must not be annoyed. They may have to give up their homes to the covetous whites and move to the wilderness, but they must not be annoyed.
The plan to remove the Indians developed rapidly. Congress soon resolved:
"That the President of the United States is hereby requested to negotiate with Indians upon the Umatilla reservation, in Oregon, with the view of ascertaining on what terms said Indians will relinquish to the United States all their claims or rights to said reservation and remove to some other reservation in said State or Washington Territory."
A commission of three was duly appointed, consisting of the State Superintendent, who had recommended their removal, the resident agent of the
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