St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-03-19
PUBLIC NO. -.

n ACT Ior the relief OF persons for DANA
n ges sustained by reason of depredatious
and injuries by certain bands of Sioux Indians.
"HEREAs, The United States heret ofore be-
came bound by treaty stipulations to the Sis
seton, Wahpaton, Medawakanton and Wahpa-
koots bands Of the Dakota or Sioux Indians,
TO pay large sums Of money and annuities,
tho greater portion of which remains unpaid
according to the terms Of said treaty stipula
tons and whereas during the past year the
Aforesaid bands of Indians made An Improve
ked. aggressive, and most savage war upon
the United States, and mastered large num-
per OF men. women, and children within the
State Of Minnesota, and destroyed and dan,
aged large amount Of property, and thereby
have forfeited all just claim 10 the said moneys
and annuities to the United States; and
whereas it is just and equitable that the per-
sons whose property has been destroyed or
damaged by the said Indians, or destroyed or
damaged by the troops of the United States in
said war, should be Unidentified in whole or in
part out Of the indebtedness aud annuities so
forfeited, - Aforesaid Therefore e.. -,,
BE 1t enacted by the Senate and House Of Rep-
1e'entatsres Of the United States of america IN
Congress assembled, That oil treaties heretofore
made and entered into by the Sisseton, Wah-
leton, Medawakanton, and wahpnkoota bands
OF Sioux or Dakota Indians, or any Of them,
With the United states, are hereby declared to
be abrogated end annulled, SO far As sid tres
ties, or any Of them, purport to impose any
future obligation on the United States, and
all lands and righs Of O cupsncy within the
State Of Minnesota, and all annuities and
claims hetetsfore accorded 10 said Indians, or
any Of them, to be forfeited to tie ~United'
States. ~.
SEC 2. Ind be 1t further enacted, That two
thirds Of The balance remaining une1pended of
annuities due and payable to, said Indians.
Tor the present fiscal year, not exceeding onehun-
dred thousand dollars, and the further sum of
one hundred thousand dollars, being two thirds
OF the annuities becoming due and payable to
sara Indians during the next fiscal year, is
hereby appropriated, and shall be paid from
the Treasury Of the United States, out Of anv
monies not otherwise appropriated, to the
hereinafter provided for, to be
apportloned by them among the heads of fam
lies, or, -; case Of their decease, among the
surviving members Of families of the State of
Minnesots, who suffered damage by the dep
ofthe Slssetop, Wahpston, Medawa-
kanton and Wshpakootd bands 81 Sioux or
Dakota Indians, or by the troops of the United !
States in the late Indian War in the State Of
not exceeding the sum of two hun |
dred dollars to any one family, nor the actual |
damages Aforesaid, And NJ monies shall be paid |
under this section except upon those claims /
which shall be presented to said Commissioner
ers on or before the 'first day Of June next. for
me payment Of which the said Commissioners
shall take and return to the Secretary Of the
Interior end to the Secretary of the Tressurv.
duplicate vouchers therefor, certified BY them.
SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That, for
he purpoae Of making the proper distribution
4 the monies hereby appropriated for the nres:l
mt relief Of such families, and for. the purpose
4 ascertaining the whole amount Of said dam
!ges, and the persons who have suffered tho l.
anne, 1t shall be lawful for the President. bv
md with the advice and consent Of the Senate:
o appoint three Commissioned, not more than
ne OF whom shall be = resident of Minnesota.
Tho shall take IN oath in the manner presorib.
d by the laws Of tho United States to faithful
r discharge their duties; they shall enter
hin aodshearthe complaints lin writing. ONLY
eriasd on ,oethl Of ell and every person IL
rieved by the depredslions Of said Indians. 7
nd BY tho troops Of the United States in said i
'sr: they shall have power to compel the ~ !
enhance Of Witnesses, aud to administer thaI
roper oaths to them 70 testify the trath thsy Il
hall have power to compel the claimants to IS
kamined and cross examined ON oath, 20 be
1miniatsred hys them, as to their said claim
ICY shall hold their sessions ct such times and 7
secs asswill give the persons complaining
. fairest opportunity Of verifying their claim 3
It'll the least expense; they shall take care =
at no unjust Or fictitious claim shall be o. =
blishsd and if they have any reason to q
oppose that,any such claim ID, presented, they 4,
AL have power. and IL shalt 30 their duty, II
procure any eountsrvsiling proof, TO their 7
'owledge, that the sams msy be finally re-!