The New York herald., 1868-05-14
THE INDIAN COMMISSION.

Arrival of all the Chiefs and Head Men Of tho
Brule sioux-CounciI Held Between Them
and the Indian Peace COmnssiOn-Address
Of the President Of the Commission 20 the
Iudians-Last Chance for the Red Skins-Tho
Powder River Country to be Given Up to the
Indians and the Military Posts Abandoned
when Peace Shall be Declared with All the
Tribes Of the sioux-The Treaty Already
Signed by the Brules-SynOpsis of the Treaty
of Peace.
FORT LAR AMIE, ID. T., May 4, 1868.
In my letter Of the 23d ultim0 informed your read
ers that the Peace Commission were here waiting
for the coming in OF various bands of the Sioux
tion Since then, the Brule Sioux having arrived in
large numbers and being represented by all the chiefs
or mead men OF that tribe 1t determined to hold
council with them the 2sth ultimo, which
was accordingly DONE The pow-wow was opened
by General Sanborn one OF the seven commissioners
appointed by Congress and President pro tenn. Of the
commission There were present also Generals Har-
ney ana Terry, members of the commission. General
Sanborn commenced by telling the assembled chiefs
that they were now offered peace in order to save
their nation from destruction; that though they
might not believe 1t, but it fact that the
Indians could not protect themselves from the whites;
that the soldiers whom they had been trying to Kill
were out here to keep the white people from going
into their country; that the Indians must have the
protection of the President of the United States and
his soldiers their race would ere long disappear
from the face OF the EARTH Furthermore, that If
they continued to war against the whites they could
not expect the President their friends among the
whites TO protect them any longer from the people
who were waiting in large numbers for the
opportunity to enter their country that
II they continued war their territory would
be quickly Overrun by the whites that
military posts would be erected and their game,
as well themselves, destroyed. General SanbOrn
went on telling them that this the last effort OF
the President to make peace with them and save
them country and a home; that II they made an
abiding treaty of peace (and he remarked that unless
they perfectly sincere in these Intentions when
ratfying it, it would be better for them to leave it
| unsigned, they would be protected and furnished
with supplies Of clothing and useful articles while
| they rOamed and hunted, and that they would b.
supplied with cattle, horses &c., and implements TO
| work the soil to such as might at any time Settle
down, build home and live like the whites. Under
the treaty they could hunt While they remained at
peace and the game lasted, and when the game
| gone they could have home and the means OF sup
porting themselves and children; that they must
now fully understand that II peace was not made
and preserved all efforts to that end the part Of
| the United States were completely finished.
After a protracted interval, during which the
chiefs consulted among themselves, addresses to the
| commissioners made by several OF tfem. Iron
| Shell, Red Leaf, Swift Bear and others were the
speakers. They declared themselves tired OF war,
that they gained nothing by it, and begged that Their
great father Washington would take pity on their
miserable condition and do all in his power for
| them. They wanted the posts OF Reno, smith and
Phil Kearney abandoned and the road to the Powder
| river country closed within one month and that
territory left entirely to them, that the game might
| again become abundant therein. They expressed
themselves friends OF the whites, and wished to
| The council with the chiefs was finally concluded
with the agreement that they would assemble the
next day 29th to hear the proposed treaty Of peace
and ga sSs aowng e ay ne
| again met the head men of the Brues. The as
sembage was much OF the same character az the
| rrnc a
were explained to the Indians, and after much talking
| and pipe smoking among themselves their grOtesque
looking chiefs advanced, one by one, and, after
| shaking hands with the Commissioners and those OF
their people present whom they represented on the
occasion, the treaty was signed by the chiefs, sOme
fifteen in number, and representing the whole OF the
Brule band Of Sioux.
United states government will protect the Indians,
who on their part solemny agree to deliver up TO the
| government for punishment according TO It's laws,
any wrongdOer OF their number who may commit
any outrages The boundaries. OF the district set
the section known as the Powder river Countryside
| various tradesmen to instruct the lndlans-and the
duties OF the United states indian Agent who is to
reside among them are then defined; ahe
amount OF clothing, &C.. that is to be sup
piled stated at length The Indians rellnqulsh
ton, and agree to withdraw al opposition to rail-
roads being built After recting various regulations
| the United States then agree that within three
months after the conclusion Of the treaty Of peace
with all the tribes OF the Sioux nation that the mill
tary posts now established In the Indian territory
shall he abandoned and the road leading To them anI
by them in the settlement In the territory shall
closed. There seventeen articles to the treaty,
| and the last states that the execution OF the
treaty and ts ratification by the United States Senate
| shall have the effect OF annuling all treaties and
| agreements heretofore made.
| Lieutenant General VIM. 7. Sherman and Colonel
| Tappan, both members OF the Peace Commission,
will arrive here this evening, making i've out OF seven
l. commissioners who will be here. The other two,
| ". g. Taylor, the President OF the Commits
| sion, and Senator Henderson at present
| detained by business at Washington City. Major
| General Augur the Commander OF the Depart
| ment OF the Platte and which embraces this post,
Is here ut present and has acted IN the absence or
General sherman for him at the councils OF the
mission. All the troops stationed here tvz.. six COM
| panes OF the Fourth infantry and two companies
| o ( the Second cavalry are ordered of from
here to Wind River Valley and VIII leave before the
close of the month. 10 occupies at least week to
get or letter paper from New York, and the latter
| are scarce and generally stale at that.
| Mr.. Alexander Gardner, Of Washington, photo
| grapher has arrived here with all the paraphernalia
and force necessary TO obtain kenesses OF the Indian
| chiefs groupings &C., and views of the Rocky Noun
tains. SO far he finds IL utterly Impossible to per.
| suade the Indians TO allow him TO take them In
| cases where he nearly succeeded the sons of the
forest boted Off when he got the camera TO bear on
| their probes.
| The peace commissioners will leave here in about
ten days, and my next letter VIII give you the fur
| ther news.