Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1865-11-18
THE DIsCONTENTED INDIANS,
WASHINGTON, November 8, 1866,

delegation of chiefs representing til,
Sacs and Fox tribes cf Indians, named rc
spectively Mameeno- ka- ke .ka, (Bear,) He-pe
a-tu-kato, (Wolf) Mama. Ike ma ha, Sa. Ike
kam-ke, (Polecat, Shes-in. .ka nc. ashwa
(Grey EagleD and Me-ke Ruma, had an in
terview with the President at ten O'Clock
this morning, in the Executive Chamber
The chiefs were dressed with their usual ac
compartments of blankets, beads, paint and
feathers, and the woif-teeth necklace formed
conspicuous feature of their costume
Their heads were variousiy arrayed. Some
OF them had their hair cut in short tufts
Others wore 1t long and tied up with gaily
colored scarfs, and Others contented them.
selves with the single ornament of a red
quill feather arranged upon and fastened to
| the crown of the head. The earrings OF
tin pendants, were almost universal, and the
style in which they were manufactured, was
as much like one of the prevailing fashions
adopted by our American ladies as anything
that can be imagined. The chiefs were all
differently ornamented-some of them used
vermillion, which contrasted pleasantly with
the sombre hue of their compilations, while
| others had their countenances disfgured
with dark blue and black colors. They
wore handsomely decorated moccasins, and,
although the Fox are said to be the most
friendly of all the tribes, noue of the gar
ments peculiar to civilization, save one, was
adopted by them. They differed in this re-
spect from many of the delegations that
come here, some of which accept at once
and gladly assume the dress of American
citizens. The chiefs were accompanied by
Mr.. Sells, agent for the Southwestern De-
partment; Hon. n. ID. Cooley, Commissioner
of Indian Affairs, and George Sunnis, Uni
ted States Interpreter. The chiefs were
severally introduced to and shook hands
with the President. The counsellor, He De-
a.tu-ka-to, said they bad come to see their
grandfather, and would like very much to
have his advice in regard to the business
which brought them here. They had al
ways been kind and friendly to the Govern.
ment of the United States.
The President replied that he was glad
to meet and receive them here. His object
would be to cultivate peace, anity and
friendship, and he hoped that the Govern
ment would be met with a corresponding
spirit on their part. If the friendly rela-
tions which should exist between the Presi-
dent, the Government and those chiefs re.
presented were cultivated, they could be
made to result in the promotion of their in
tcrest and the interest of the Government.
He would spare no pains to see that their
interests were promoted, and that they were
protected in the enjoyment of all their
rights. Provision would be made for them
while they remained here, and they would
be entertained in manner that was suita-
b!e to their condition. He would be pleased
to see them again before they returned, and
assured them that wher they did leave for
home they would carry with them the best
wishes of the President.
Commissioner Cooley explained that the
question now before the department was as
to the division of their annuitie and their
lands. The Sac and Foxes wee settled on
the reservation of Kansas, under treaty
issued about 1842. They have q perpetual
annuity of ffty-one thousand dollars. The
Sacs are largely in the majority. About
two-thirds of them have not their rights on
the reservation. Some of the Fox tribe
have left, and purchased a tract of land in
Iowa. The Commissioner said measures
would be taken to ascertain how they were
situated in Iowa; after considering their
complaints, the matter would be left to the
President to decide whether they should be
permitted to remain In Iowa, or be sent
back to their reservation.
The President said he would hear with
patience the statements that might be made
in reference to what they desired or the OBJ
jects of their mission. After lparning all
the facts of the case, it would be his pur-
pose to do what was right, and he hoped
that some arrangements would be made
that would be satisfactory to them and to
those they represented.
The Indians gave vent to their grati6ca-
ton in their usual expressive but not very
elegant manner, and after the customary
salutatations had been repeated, they re-
tired