at section, the reservation, as
then constituted, was altogether inadequate for the purpose for which
it was set apart. There was not a sufficient supply of grass or water
within its borders for the flocks and herds of the tribe, and in
consequence more than one-third of the Indians were habitually off the
reservation with their flocks and herds, and were in frequent contention
and strife with whites over pasturage and water.

After most careful inquiry and inspection of the reservation as it
then existed, and of adjacent land by efficient officers in the Indian
service, the Commission of Indian Affairs, with the concurrence of
the Secretary of the Interior, recommended that the limits of the
reservation be extended westward so as to embrace the lands lying
between the Navajo and Moqui Indian reservations on the east and the
Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers and the Grand Canyon Forest Reserve
on the west. This recommendation was supported by a very numerously
signed petition from the white residents of that section, and also by a
letter from the Governor of the Territory of Arizona, in which it was
said:

I understand that a petition has been forwarded asking that the western
limit be fixed at the Little Colorado River, as being better for all
concerned and less liable to cause friction between the Indians and the
whites. I earnestly hope that the prayer of the petitioners be granted,
for the reason that the Little Colorado could be made a natural dividing
line, distinct and well defined, and would extend the grazing territory
of the Navajoes to a very considerable extent without seriously
encroaching upon the interests of white settlers who have their property
in that neighborhood.

I think great care should be exercised in questions of this nature
because of possible serious friction which may occur if the interests of
all concerned are not carefully protected.

The investigation which preceded this recommendation, and upon which it
was in part based, showed that with the boundaries of the reservation
thus extended the Indians would be able to obtain within the limits of
the reservation sufficient grass and water for their flocks and herds,
and the Government would therefore be justified in confining them to the
reservation, thus avoiding the prior contention and friction between
them and the whites.

It appearing that but little aid had been extended to these Indians by
the Governme