New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-05-27
Big Talk with Indian Chiefs.

Washington special of Monday, to the
Louisville Courier Journal says: ,il
A council was held to-day between the
Indian delegations now here and the Secre-
tary of the Interior and Commissioner
Parker, on behalf of the government. The
chiefs had abandoned their savage dress,
and appeared in dark vests, coats and
pants. Commissioner Parker began the
talk. He called the attention of the In
dams to the fact that they were promised
annuities for only ten years, four of which
have passed, and in the time yet remaining
they should try and care for themselves as
farmers. He advised them to do so, as
they could live by hunting but few years
longer. When tue Indians go home, said
the Commissioner, it will please the Presi-
dent if they would stop on their way in the
eral council of Indians, to be held
there in the Creek country, the OBJ
ject of which is simply and solely for
the good of themselves, and to establish
peace and harmony and one general gov
eminent among all the tribe of that cOun-
try. At the conclusion of the Commits
sioners remarks, Little Raven said his peo-
pie were anxious to get together by them
selves, and he was anxious to have a di-
viding line between white and Indian
blood. A long time ago treaty Of peace
was made, little Raven probably referred
to Colonel Mitchell's treaty in 1851, and
soon afterward rich ores were discovered
west of them This brought the white man
into their country. Then railroads came
among them; and later other railroads
came and drove the Indians away from
their homes. They do not know where this
is to end.
The whites are approaching them con-
stantly, and the Indians do not know what
country thew own. He said peace existed
before the soldiers were stationed among
them. and asked that they be withdrawn.
The Wichita chief thought that nearly all
the lands which had been given to other
Indians was the property of the Whichitas.
This was his principal complaint, and what
he particularly desired was pay for it.
" Here | am said Buffalo, "good, with a
white mans coat and pantalOons on. But
there are no greenbacks in my pocket, and
now hope the government will give me some
to carry around so as to show something for
the lands that have been taken.' Secretary
Delano made short speech to the delegation,
advising the Indians learn habits OF civil
ization as soon as possible, and form gov
eminent of their own, and they would be
furnished with clothes and agricultural i'm
plements, and schools and churches would
be established among them. Little Raven
wanted to know if he would be authorized
in getting his people in the North to the
South. This was one thing about which he
was very anxious, and upon that point the
commissioner said he would let him know
tomorrow. The Indians have been very
greatly impressed with what they have seen
in a country of civilization. Some of them
are disposed to repel the idea that the CAPT
tol buildings and paintings IN the rotunda
are the works of man. The commissioners
endeavored to be complacent under the cir
cumstances, and to permit no expressions
of wonder at the sights they experience to
escape them.