Show Hutment of the Wash-K ji March United State P I am in receipt of your February signed by a large of citizens of San Juan concerning certain in the southeastern part of of set aside by or-of the Department of use of the Kaibab pan Juan Piute The ask that miners be privilege of going upon k lands for the purpose for er and other minerals' known and that in the any of such minerals are ad the lands containing them Sade subject to appropriation i patent under the United mining Phe Indian Office has written letter giving a history of Retting aside of these the order setting the aside no locations ot be made thereon but any r valid mining rights which may have existed prior to the issuance of the order are in no manner The Indian Office believes that prospectors could be permitted to go upon the withdrawn lands under a permit to be issued by that Office or the Department restricting the activities of the prospectors to such legitimate things not inconsistent with the proper maintenance of the rights of the making the subject to the trade and intercourse laws governing Indian This policy ought to he given wide publicity so that no preference may he shown to In the event that any valuable minerals are found in paying quantities the land though un could be described with sufficient to permit the restoration of the lands to the public domain and they could then be entered under the mineral laws of United These lands were withdrawn after an investigation by the Indian Office set afoot at your for the purpose of providing a grazing pasture for the small stock principally sheep and goats belonging to these hands of The Country is rough and and unfit for cultivation and even for the grazing of large and it is not seen how the permitting of prospecting on the lands will in way interfere with the purposes for which the lands were withdrawn- The Department and the Indian Office believe that the policy herein outlined is a wise one and not in contravention of existing laws- I shall cause to he promulgated an order authorizing the granting of permits to prospectors and others to go upon the lands under certain restrictions in furtherance of the policy as herein and I would be pleased if you will have the subject given general publicity through the press of your All applications for permits should he addressed to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs-Very R. A. |