The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-25
fPrnLIo-No.. ISL

AN ACT Tor the relief OF persons FOR dam-
ages sustained by reason Of depreda-
tions and Injuries by certain bands Of
Sioux Indians.
WHEREAS The United States heretofore be-
came Bound by treaty stipulations
to the Sisseton, Wahpaton, Medawa-
katnon, and WR[hlpakoota bands Of
the Dakota or Sioux Indians to pay
large sums of money and annuities,
the greater portion of which remains
unpaid according TO the terms of said
treaty stipulatiODs; and whereas dur
ing the past year the aforesaid bands
of Indians made an unproHoked ag-
gressive, and most savage war upon
the United States, and massacred a
large number of men. women, and chill
dren within the State of Minnesota, and
destroyed and damaged a large amount
of property, and thereby have forfeit
ed all just claim TO the said moneys
and annuities to the United States; and
whereas it is just and equitable that
the persons whose property has been
destroyed or damaged by the said In
dians, or destroyed or damaged by the
troops Of the United States 10 said war,
should be indem nified in whole or in
part out of the indebtedness and
annuities so forfeited as Aforesaid;
Therefore
Be it enacted By The Senate and House Of
Representatives of the United States of Anier-
ica IN Congress assembled, That all treaties
heretofore made and entered into by the
Sisseton, Wahpaton, Medawakanton, and
Wahpakoota bands Of Sioux or Dakota
Indians, or any of them, with the United
States, are hereby declared 10 be alb.
rogated and annulled, so far as said
treaties or any Of them purport to inn
pose any future obligation on the United
States, and all lands and rghts of oceu-
pancy within the State. of Minnesota, and
all annuities and claims heretofore. ac-
corded TO said Indians, or any of them,
10 be forfeited 10 the United States.
Sec. 2. And be Il further enacted, That.
two thirds Of the balance remaining un-
expended of nnnuities dne and payable
TO said Indians for the present fiscal
year, not exceeding one hundred thou
sand dollars, aud the further sum of one
hundred thousand dollars, being two
thirds of the annuiiies becoming due
and payable 10 said Indians during the
next fiscal year, is hereby appropriated,
and shall be paid from the Treasury Of
the United States, out Of any moneys
not otherwise appropriated, 20 the com
missiOners hereinafter provided for, TO
be apportioned by them among the
heads of families, or, in case of their
decease, among the surviving members
Of families of the State OF Minnesota
who suffered damage by the depreda-
tons OF the Sisseton, Wahpaton, Media
wakanton, and Wa lpakoota bands Of
Sioux or Dakota Indians, or by the
troops of the United States in the late
Indian war in the State Of Minnesota,
not exceeding the sum of two hundred
dollars TO any one family, nor the actual
damages aforesaid, and no moneys shall
be paid under this section except upon
those claims which snail be presented to
said commissioners on or before the first
day Of June next, for the payment of
which the said commissioners shall take
aud return TO the Secretary of the Inte-
rior and TO the Secretary of the Treasu-
ry duplicate vouchers therefor, certified
by them.
Sec. 3. And be Il further enacted, That,
for the purpose OF making the proper
distribution Of the moneys hereby APP
propriated for the present relief Of such
families, and for the purpose Of ascertain
ing the whole amount Of said damages
and the persons who have suffered the
same, II shall be lawful for the President,
by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate, TO appoint three commissions
ers, not more than one OF whom shall be
resident OF Minnesota, who shall take
an oath in the manner prescribed by the
laws Of the United States 10 faithfully
discharge their duties; they shall enter
tain and hear the complaints (in writing,
duly verified on oath) Of all and every
person aggrieved by the depredations Of
said Indians, and by the troops Of the
United States in said war; they shall
have power TO compel the attendance Of
witnesses, and to administer the proper
oaihs 10 them 10 testify the truth; they
shall have power 70 compel the claim
ants to be examined and cross. s.examined
on oath, TO be Administered BY them, AZ
to their said claim; they shall hold their
sessions at such times and places as will
! give the persons complaining the fairest
opportunity Of verifying their claim with
the least expense = they shall take care
that no unjust or fictitious claim shall be
established; andif they have any reason
TO suppose that any such claim Is pre-
senled, they shall have power, and il
shall be their duty, 10 procure any coun-
teryailing proof 10 their knowledge, that
the same may be finally rejected. Tho
testimony Of tho witnesses aud The ex-
animation Of the complainant shall be
reduced 10 writing, signed aud cerliGed
by them, respectively, and shall, with
the petition aud All The papers relating
10 each case, with the hndiRg Of che com =
mission, be Transmitted 70 the Secretary
Of the Interior for his approval, rejec.
tion, or modification, 10 DO BY him laid
before The next Congress. A majority Of