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[[preprinted]] Department of the Interior, 
OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, 
WASHINGTON, 

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Refer in reply to the following:
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Dec. 30, 1889.

Hon. Commissioner of Indian Affairs

Sir:

The Military reservation upon the Nez Perce reservation which is now occupied by the Industrial school, lies along the bottom of the Lapwai creek, rising on its western part to the bench land, which latter is used as pasture; the area is 669 56/100 acres. Of that part of the reservation lying north of the line running between sections 11 and 14, but a portion is under cultivation, not much over 100 acres, while that lying south of the line, about 160 acres in all, has never been used at all, and serves only as a race course. This 160 acres contains about 90 acres of fine bottom land of a rich and valuable quality. The remainder is rocky creek bed, and upland pasture. Owing to the fact that there is so little bottom land available for the Indians living on the Lapwai and its tributaries, bottom land being the only soil where vegetables, fruits and garden stuff can be successfully raised; and also taking into account that the Industrial