The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-12
IMPORTANT MILITARY ORDER.
Reclamation Of the Women and Children Of
the Navajo Indians from slavery or Peonage
In Territories Adjacent to Their Homes.

Reclamation OF the Women and Children Of
the Navajo Indians from slavery or Peonage
In Territories Adjacent to Their Homes.
GENERAL ORDERs-NO "a.
HEADQUARTERS, DISTRICT OF NEW MExIcol
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Sept. 20, 1855. !
The following resolution and instructions OF Lieu
tenant General Sherman are published for the In
formation and government OF all concerned:-
PUBLIo RESOLUTION, No. 6s)
Joint ~ ~. 2 a.. 10 from pe0nase women and
resolved By Senate House of Representatives
Isassnsns General " T. sherman Be and hereby satSor
me- n 1s
children q lie Navajo Indians held slavery IN hs
The Navajo Indians have bean confined.
Approved, July n, 1855
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION or
TnR MISSOURI,
ST. LOUIS, Mo. Sept ., lscs.
ing District OF New Mexico Through MAJOR General
Sheridan, Commanding Department OF the Mis-
General The joint resolution of both Houses OF
Congress- approved July q, 1893, embodied In Gene.
raj Orders, No. 90, from the Headquarters OF the
August Il, 1858 has already been sent you, and is
again herewith enclosed. BY this resolution am
authorized and requested 70 use the most eflcient
rom peonage the women and children Of the NAVAJO
Indians now held In slavery In the territory al.
jacent TO their homes, and the reservation which
the Navajo Indians have been confined. BY the four.
teenth amendment to the constitution OF the United
States no person can be held as slave in any part
OF the United States but the language Of this reso-
luton Is restricted to the 'swomen and children" of
the Navajo Indians, infer that the Navajo men re-
strained OF their liberty either as slaves peons
have full protection under former law, and are
construed as perfectly able 70 take care Of them
selves without our assistance; but thvt the women
and children 30 held as slaves, or as poems, need
the friendly assistance OF the officers Of our govern.
ment.
/ am not lawyer enough to say how far the
steps to carry ont this net OF Congress, sp-
proved BY my Judgment" and executed By my
military should Override the local
much as New Mexico and Colorado are Terrific
mes Of the United States, and Congress has the
regulations respecting the Territory other property
Of the United States infer that my power Is sum-
herein set S and should resistance
In any consult the United States District
Attorney, II at hand, or report the case for my spe
In the first place convey TO the Navajoes them
selves the substance Of this law, and OF our pur-
% s IN sp1 % cSSssn NO sas
II they ~ tribe, or any OF them IN their private
pactes, wish to search for missing women or chill
init them to make search and provide for 1t out Of
the moneys held BY you on account OF the Navajo
In Ike manner II you know or learn OF the where.
abouts Of such women children. II any 0fcer OF
your command obtain such knowledge, you or they
children till they make election to remain where
they are or TO re1on their tribe. In which you
may provide for their removal out OF the money held
II any woman he married away from her tribe,
she should be permitted to have free choice Of &C
ton. II unmarried and held az o servant, the on
Ger should explain TO her her rights under the law
and leave her free to choose, satisfying himself that
she receives wages and understands her true POSI-
II children male or female, under the usual ages
Of manhood o. womanhood, be held az slaves, poems
or servanta they should be deal: with according
their age ana intelligence. II old enough to form
reasonable Judgment or their own interests, they
should be allowed 70 choose their own course but II
ohfuep ne ahOud m
Judge OF their true interestA II on inquiry their
parents can be found and Il they claim the restitu-
ton Of .her children such restitution must be made
When children are held not NJ slaves poems or
usual care Of other Children with reason able GER
tainty OF being improved In their condition, the
should be specially reported to you, and yod may
take rom the person or persons In charge Of such
cad or children an obligation 70 educate and rear
them TO maturity with the right then 70 reoln their
the party or parties 40 holding the child or Children
written permit ~ be their warrant for holding the
child and should report the case to the agent Of the
Navajoes, that the knowledge thereof may reach the
parents and chiefs of the tribe and their consent
possible obtained.
New Mexico In English and SPANS h. and to request
al parties holding women and children supposed to
be Of Navajo origin, to give prompt notice thereof TO
the case may be at once examined into decided.
All expenses arising under this order you may
t OF the Navajoes, subject 70 your control. unless
the agent should consent 10 allow the expenses to
come out OF the appropriation OF $4,000 for the re-
moval OF the Navajoes, which was clearly intended
to cover the case.
Should your better knowledge and judgment on
the spot suggest any modification In the foregoing
instructions please communicate the same TO me for
my consideration, and after reasonable time re.
port 70 me your acts under this letter that may
communicate the same to the Congress OF the United
States. arm, with great respect your ohedIent ser.
want, W. T. SHERMAN, Lieutenant General.
BY command OF
Brevet Major General GETTY.
EDWARD HUNTER, First Lieutenant Twelfth In
fantry Acting Assistant Adjutant General.