The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-13
IMPORTANT MILITARY ORDER.

Defamation of the women and Chill
iren of the Navajo Indians from SIa-
Eery.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE
q NssoURI, ST. LOUIS, Mo, Sept. 8, l86S.-Brevet
P1or General George w. Getty, commanding
&strict of New Mexico Through Major. Generai
eridan. commanding Department of the Mis-.
EnriG-
7eneral:-The Joint resolution of both Houses
uCongress, approved July ~. 1868, embodied in
Pneral Orders No. 90, from the Headquarters
the Army, Aojutsnt. Generals ONCE. under
te of August Ia 1858 has already been sent
N, and is again herewith enclosed. BY this
pollution am authorized and requested to use
70 most efficient means my judgment will app
ove to reclaim from peonage The women and
tldren of the Navajo Indians now held in
4very IN The territory adjacent TO their homes,
ID the.reserVation on which the. Naval 1oi Indians
I've been confined. BY the fourteenth amend.
bnt to the Constitution of the United states
J person can be held as o slave in any part
#the United States; but as the Language OF this
solution Is restricted TO the "women and
&ildren" of the Navajo Indians, infer that
e Navajo men restrained of their liberty,
Fher an slaves or as poems, have full protec-
Ikn under former law and are construed as
@rfectly able to take care of themselves with
u our assistance; but that the women and
k1ldren so held as slaves, or poems, need
e friendly assistance of the officers of our Gov
am not lawyer enough to say how far the
BPS TO carry out this act of Congress. approved
~ suDorolnates, should override the local
Is and customs of New Mexico; but mas
zch as New Mexico and Colorado are Terri
ries OF the United States, and Congress has
constitutional power to make "all needful
Yes and regulations respecting the territory
Diher property of the United States" infer
10 my power IL sufficient, and that you may
pceed 10 execute the instructions herein set
fth; and should resistance occur in any case,
nsult The United States District Attorney, If
hand, or lerort the case for my special con.
1eratiOn.
En the first place convey to the NavaJoes
emselves the substance of this law, and OF
pur pose TO execute 1t in O spirit of fairness
&lhem and in justice to the women and chill
n affected. II they as tribe. or any Of
missing women or children supposed to be
d In bondage, you may permit them to
ke search, and provide for it out of the
4neys held by you on account of the Navajo
Zion.
h like manner, If you know or learn of the
ereabouts of such women or children, or II
officer OF your command obtain such know
lge, you or they may act in the nature of
Ardian to such women or children till they
lke election TO remain where they are or to
pin their tribe, In which case you may pro-
ae for their removal out of the money held
il any woman be married away from her
pc, she should be permitted to have free
Dice of action. If unmarried and held as a
fVant, the othcer should explain to her her
<hts under the law and leave her free to
pose, satisfying himself that she receives
&ges and understands her true position.
"a children, male or female, under the usual
Les of manhood or womanhood, be held as
Ives, poems, or servants, they should be dealt
enough to form reasonable judgment of
eir own interests, they should be allowed to
loose their own course; but If too young or too
tuse the officer should himself judge of their
he Interests. If on inquiry their parent can
found, and II they claim the restitution of
cir children, such restitution must be made
thout further question.
When children are held not as slaves, poems,
servants, but at school or in good families
tn the usual care of other children. with rea-
nable certainty OF being improved in their
|nd1tton the case should he specially reported
you, and you may take from the person or
Irsons In charge of such child or children an
Pligation to educate and rear them to matu-
y, with the right then to rejoin their tribe If
inclined. In this case you should furnish
)e party or parties go holding the child or
Pildren written permit TO be their warrant
SO holding the child, and should report the
se to the agent of the Navajoes, that the
howledge thereof may reach the parents and
iefs of the tribe and their consent If possible
btained.
All expenses arising under this order you
Jay charge to the appropriation of 5000, 900 for
70 benefit OF the Navsjoes, subject to your
ntrOl, unless the agent should consent to
ow the expenses to come out of the appropri-
on OF $l50.000 for the removal of the Nava~
IS, which was clearly intended to cover the
pc. l am, with great respect, your
ediept servant,
W.T.. SHERMAN, Lieutenant-General.
By command OF
Brevet Major. General GETTY.
EDWARD HUNTER, First Lieutenant I've fth
fantry, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.