Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-06-15
THE INDIAN COUNCIL.
Talk between Secretary Cox and Red
Gland.

On Friday morning last, in Washing
ton, the Indian Chief Red Cloud, and
party had a final council with Secretary
Cox and Commissioner Parker. The
Secretary made a speech, saying that
some of the requests made by the Indi-
ans concerning ratiOns M allowing
them traders would be acceded to, and
the government would do all in its
power to make them comfortable and
happy. He announced that they had
already received some presents in the
shape of blankets, etc, and would re-
! ceive more in New York on their way
home. He repeated what the President
had said about Fort Fetterman, sit must
remain" They would be started on
their homeward journey Monday, which
information was received by the Indians
with unmistakable signs Of delight.
Red Cloud spoke in reply, evidencing
most certainly his dissatisfaction at the
determination of the government not to
remove Fort Fetterman. He said there
was no necessity for its continuance,
and its presence was a useless burden
and expense to the government. He
also took exceptions again to roads run
ming through his country, and intimated
that if trouble arose it would be the fault
of the Great Father.
Red Cloud made another speech in
wiz IC 6a-1 lAAal AuG ElOOlS III his
country were all afoot, and the govern
ment was throwing away its money for
nothing The officers were all whisky
drinkers. The Great Father sends out
there, whisky drinkers, because he does
not want them around him here. L do
not allow my nation or any white man
to bring a drop of liquor into my coun-
try; if h e does that is the last of him and
his liquor, too; Spotted Tail can drink
nE raNWnnh ~ hn DN.,-1- - A.
river, and they can kill one another if
they choose. I do not hold myself re-
sponsible for what Spotted Tail and the
traders do there. When you buy me
anything with my money l want you to
buy me what is useful. 1 do not want
dirty flour, rotten tobacco and soldiers
clothes dyed black, such as you bought
for spotted Tail. only tell you what is
true. You have had a great war, but
after it was all over you permitted the
chiefs who had been fighting to come
back.
Secretaey Cox explained the treaty of
1867 to the Indians, and said the best
way is to be friendly and deal honestly
with each other. The last treaty made,
provided for a railroad to be built The
Sioux agreed not to disturb it, and that
it should be built now. If the railroad
interferes with the hunting, we will try
to make it good by feeding you. We
mean that the government shall keep
the white men from going into the In
dian country and also as well as bad In
dams from going into the white country.
This is what the troops are there for. If
any of our people in the forts do not do
what is right, the President will punish
them and send better men in their places.
The same treaty gives the lines of the
Indian country. The map of the Indian
country was produced, and the secretary
explained the boundaries fixed in the
treaty Of 1867, Red Cloud looking on
with great interest.
Red Cloud said he was asked to sign
the treaty merely TO show that he was
~peaceable, and not to grant their lands.
He continued, saying, this is the first
time I have heard of such a treaty: L
never heard of it and 1 do not mean to
follow it. l want to know who was
Interpreter who interpreted these
to the Indians.
The names OF three were mentioned.
and he said: 1 know nothing about it,
it was never explained to me.
Bear-in-Grass said, the Great Spirit
hears me to-day. / tell but what is true
when I say these words of the treaty
were not explained. It wa merely said
treaty was for peace and friendship
among the whites. When we took hold
Of the pen they said they would take the
away so we could raise children.
Secretary Cox explained that the treaty
was signed by more than two hundred
different Sioux of all the bands. /!
Red Cloud-I do not say the commits
lied, but the interpreters were
wrong. never heard a word only f;
was brought to my camp. When
'orts were removed 1 came to make
peace, you had your war houses or forts.
you removed them / signed a :
reaty Of peace. We want TO straighten
.hings up,
Secretary Cox-I have been very
so that NJ mistakes could be
and that our word should be as :
)pen as day light, so that we may un- :
ierstand what binds the Sioux and our- s
selves. We arc trying to get Congress :
o carry out our promises, and we want :
he Indians to do their part. We simply \
to them this is the agreement made 1
far as we remember. We have copies q
We will give one to Red Cloud {
70 it can be interpreted to him exac tly q
shat it IL. =
Red Cloud said that all the promises
made in b treaty had never been fuI-
lied. The object of the whites was TO Ii
rush b Indians down to nothing. The ]
treat Spirit would judge these things 9
hereafter. All words l sent never reach a
d the Great Father. They were lost 4
,efore they got here. L am chief of +
hlrty-nlne nations. / will not take the q
with me; it is all lies. :
The secretary distributed copies of the II
reaty to the interpreters, agents and 2
present, and adjourned the coun- L
i, till to morrow.