The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-07-19
Official Report on indian Anairs.

1867, relative to the existing Indian
hostilities, in reply to resolution Of
the United States Senate, July 3,
1867:
The causes of the war are the hor-
rible Sand Creek massacre in Decem-
ber, 1864, of friendly Cheyenne and
Arapahoe women and children, which
has since cost the Government many
valuable lives and $4O,O OOO,O 900 in
money. The establishment by militia
ry orders of the Montana road through
the best and last reliable hunting
grounds of the Indians. and the es-
tablishment of military posts thereon,
contrary to their expressed wishes
and protests. The uncalled-for burn
of the the village of the friendly
Cheyennes and Arapahoes, and the
destruction of their property to the
value of 100000, by order of Major
General Hancock.
The report goes on to make num-
Der of recommendations ms follows:
That the Government set apart q
territory somewhere North of the
Northern line of Nebraska and West
of the Missouri River, of liberal di-
mensions, for the exclusive occupa-
patton and ultimate home of all the
Indians North of the Platte and of
Iowa, and East of the summit of the
Rocky Mountains, and make appro-
priations at once to enable this De-
partment to make suitable prepara-
tions for such Indians as are now
ready to enter upon pastoral and
agricultural pursuits in said terrific
ry. TO initiate this policy, appro-
priation is asked of 500, 1000.
Recommends that q large territory
be set apart South of the Southern
line of Kansas, and West of Arkan-
sas, including the present Indian
Territory and the country known as
the Stake Plains of Texas, and SO
much of New Mexico as may be ne
cessary, for the exclusive occupation
and ultimate home of all the Indians
South of the Platte and East of
Arizona; and to inaugurate this plan
an appropriation is asked of $780,
600.
: Recommends that all necessary
provisions be made by Congress to
procure Mt once that portion of
Texas, or SO much thereof as may
be necessary, lying between the West
crn boundary of the Indian Territory
and the Eastern boundary of New
Mexico.
Recommends that commission be
appointed to proceed to the Pa
cihc const and Arizona, to select ono
or more reservations of ample size,
upon which to concentrate all the
Indians West of the Rocky Noun
tains; and for this object an appro-
priation is asked of $4,000
There are on tho Niobrara River,
near the Platte River, about 1,5O0
friendly Sioux, who have separated
from the hostile bands. 10 this
number will soon be added some
1000 or 2, 800 friendly Indians, now
on their way from the hostile country.
Pending hostilities, or until placed on
reservations, and until they shall have
raised a crop or two, these Indians
will have to be subsisted by the Co
vernment, or permitted to join their
hostile kindred. TO give them three
quarter rations will cost $500, 600,
and it is recommended that this sum
be appropriated by Congress, at the
present session, for their subsist-
ence for the fiscal year, ending June
80, 1868.
The friendly Cheyennes, Arnpa-
hoes and Apaches of the South,
forced by General Hancock's com
mand to abandon their hunting
grounds set apart to them by the
treaty of October, 1865, are now at
or near Fort Cobb, in the Indian
Territory, in destitute condition,
and number, it is believed, from
5000 to 1000 souls. These Indians,
if not permitted to return to their
own hunting grounds, must either
be fed by the Government or be
driven to plundering the border in
habitants and war. An appropria-
ton Is therefore asked of $500, 900
Tor the purpose of supplying these
Indians, if found to be necessary.
An appropriation is also asked of
SlOO, 600, to enable the Department,
If found expedient, to rcmburse the
Southern Cheyennes and Arapahoes
and friendly Sioux for their village
and property destroyed by our troops
In April last, with view to restoring
peaceful relations to them and safety
and security to life and property on
the plains
A woman writes to tn Springfield
Republican to advise all women to