Siletz agency.–The Indians at this agency are the Chasta Scotons and fragments of fourteen other bands, called generally Coast tribes, numbering altogether about 2,500. These Indians, including those at the Alsea sub-agency, have a reservation of 1,100,800 acres set apart for them by treaty of August 11, 1855, which treaty, however, has never been ratified, although the reservation is occupied by the Indians. They were for a long time much averse to labor for a support; but recently they have shown more disposition to follow agriculture, although traditionally accustomed to rely chiefly upon fish for food. Many already have their farms well fenced and stocked, with good, comfortable dwellings and out-houses erected thereon. There is no reason why they should not, in time become thoroughly prosperous people. The failure to make allotments of land in severalty, for which surveys were commenced in 1871, has been a source of much uneasiness to the Indians, and has tended to weaken their confidence in the good intentions of the Government. One school is in operation on the reservation, with an attendance of 20 scholars. None of the tribes or bands at this agency have any treaty relations with the United States unless it may be a few members of the Rogue River band referred to under the head of the Grand Ronde agency. All the assistance rendered these Indians is out of funds appropriated for the general incidental expenses of the service in Oregon.
Alsea sub-agency.–The Indians at this sub-agency are the Alseas, Coosas, Sinselans, and a band of Umpquas numbering in all 300, and are located within the limits of the reservation referred to under the head of the Siletz agency. The remarks made about the Indians at the Siletz agency will generally apply to the Indians of this sub-agency. The Coosas, Sinselans, and Umpquas are making considerable advancement in agriculture, and, had they advantages of instruction, would rapidly acquire proficiency in the simpler mechanical branches of industry. The Al-
seas are not so tractable, and exhibit but little desire for improvement. All the assistance they receive from the Government is supplied out of the limited amount appropriated for the general incidental expenses of the service in Oregon.