ger of
the Indians. Had his superiors in power acted with the same discretion
and judgment, in all probability the Utahs might have been kept at
peace. It is wonderfully strange that our Government will persist
in placing at the head of Indian affairs men who are not practically
acquainted with Indian habits, which can only be learned by a long
life passed upon the frontiers. If it was a matter where dollars and
cents alone were to be estimated, it might be different; but where
valuable lives are legitimately exposed, it seems to us morally wrong
to give the control of tribes of wild men to politicians, who are
liable to make all kinds of mistakes, and in whom the Indians will not
repose the least confidence. It is because such appointments are
made that, in a great measure, the troubles with these border Indians
arise; and many is the section of country in western America, where
apparently the reward for taking a white man's scalp is a blazing red
or a sky blue blanket, which is paid under the plea of keeping the
peace. This, too, when efficient means and decided measures are the
only hopes of a lasting peace.

[Illustration: FORT MASSACHUSETTS, NEW MEXICO, IN 1855.]

While engaged in our travels through the far West, we remember to have
met with an Indian agent who was, both in years and experience, but
a mere boy. To him had been intrusted the affairs of a large tribe,
notorious in the country where they reside, as being great thieves.
These Indians had so little respect for their agent, that they would
openly boast of the crimes which they had committed, in his very
presence. Not only this, but, on horses stolen from the neighboring
settlers, they would ride by him, thus defying his power. The
settlers were loud in their complaints against the Government for thus
neglecting to protect them, and sending them a block of wood for a
king. The young man of whom we speak, bore an exemplary character,
but it was plainly and painfully apparent, that he was, in no way
whatever, fitted for the office he held, and which he had attained
through the influence of powerful political friends. This is but
a fair example by which many of the so-called Indian agents may be
rated, who are the actual managers of Indian affairs on our frontiers.

The Utahs and the Apaches, having now openly combined, met with such
success in their endeavors to attack the whites, that, during the
course of a few months, they overran almost the entire n