New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-24
RELEASE OF SAYrANTA IND BIG TEE.

RELEASE OF SANTANT1 IND BIG TEE.
THE COUNCIL Ar FORT SILIl-THE MURDERERs RE-
LEASED At THE REQUEST or THE GOVERNMENT
COMMISSIONER SMITHS PROMISES.
The council at Fort Sill, Indian Territory,
on the 9Th 7th, and Sth insts to consult about the
rolrase OF Santanta and Big Tree confined there for
murder attended by large number OF Kiowas and
Comanches men, women, and children, who had been
summoned by the Indian Agents. and led by their
chiefs all armed Gov Davis and other State officials Of
Texas and T.. p. Smith. Commissioner OF indian Affairs
wero among the whites present The first day Gov.
Davis asked Santanta and Big Tree 10 tell OF their treat
mont while in prison. and the former said:
speak to Lone WOLF KickingEBird and all. and want
them 90 pick up good road to tho other Comanches
now raidng Texas; want thom TO quit it and stay
here ON the reservation L take my Texas father by
Arrapahoe Whatever the white agrees in, that rs
what want my people TO do Strip these things OF OF
ma that have worn In prison. turn me over 70 the
K,owas and will live the white mans road forever
Turn over TO my people. and they VIII do as The
Selected good to meet my tribe and do what good
The best thing to do Tor my people II TO release me-
bat what have To say 10 tue white people, ana now
/ will talk TO nv chiefs
He then began TO address bis people in KOwa and on
belng told to talk TO them in COmanohe. 80 that his
.peech could be interpreted no at sat down and
soid no more. Gov. Davis, In long speech. then told
the Indians what he required " Them. The chiefs sad
they would agree the terms, but wanted tho captyes
yon up at once instead OF being held hostages for
,ime Correspondence then TOOK place between Com
missioner Smith and Gov Davis the former promising,
IN the part OF the Government If the Indians de-
Iiverel 10 him. either TO return the chiefs others
canal to them. II 10 any time tho Kowas shall again
raid into Texas and also. to force tho Comanches to
not less than five OF the recent raiders Of their
tribe 10 take the place OF antanta and Big Tree and
also 10 increase the guarantee Of safety by Increasing
the patrol along tho border of Texas Gov Dayss reply
was follows; ~, e. , ., - . 49,.
DEAR SIR: In reply TO your written request OF yester-
d fbat should IN view OF the fact that tho msunder-
endng In regard the release Of the KiOwas, Santana
and Rig Tree IL likely to involve the good faith OF the
1nner,I government recede from my refusal to release
them now have, after careful consideration, 10 say:
While 1 greatly regret this MISUNDERSTANDING do not
WISH the part OF inc people Of Iexas TO place the
instance of failing to keep Us faith. even though by
complying with your request might ind myset per
sonally With regard TO TINS whole matter, placed In
dlsacreeabe pOstiou-the conditions preliminary on
which have thought 1t necessary to nssI having FOR
somc time boon known 10 the pubic.
do not believe it advisable however 70 pardon San
tnta and Big Tree, but will return them to their tribe
10 remain on condition Of good behavior accepting Che
guarantees which yOn Ol1cr on lDe part O ino Ohied
state, Government for restraining ana puulshlng the
KiOwas and Comanches' IN heu Oh lhc holu ocicfo
have on these tribes While retailing actual CONTROL "
the persons OF those chiefs. --7' ss~s-~.- .
This acceptance Of your offer s 10 he taken Win the
understanding t9a the measures you propose Oh the
part OF the United States Government are TO be medi-
ately enforced TO secure without Decay the re-
straint and punishment OF the hllWaa ana COmlncheS
and the arrest and delivery to the Texas authorities sc
OF have recently been Ialdns IN that STATE ana
the establishment ~ The proposed GORDON Oh troops on
Ms frontier and that the forces of the United states be
Immediately put in motion TO effect this purpose
You do not specify in your letter the purpose 10 re-
gure tine return OF the property aud oaptlyes takon m
exas but presume this omission was accidental and
that YOU will have yOur agents ana Tue military III
structed TO collect aud return them; ~.
with the prompt adoption or these measures on the
mart OF the United States Government believe lhat
,nere "a better prospect OF immediate ana permanent
relief to that part Of the Texas frontier suffering from
the attacks OF these Indians than ever heretofore
Please acknowledge receipt of this communication,
and il yOu concur therein accept IN writing ITS con
''ru''0" u ''E PMuSD j. DAVIS. Governor OF Texas
Tho Hon. Edw p. smith, Commissioner OF Indian
Affairs, Fort SUI, l. T.
opre the return OF property and captives taken in
Texas The letters were read IN council oct and Gov.
Davis then said
SANTANA AND BIG TREE, AND KIOwAs AND CONAN
cnTs: Since | spoke to you on Monday, the Govern
ment OF the United States. through MI Smith, Commits
soner of Indian Affairs ana authorized 10 speak Tor IT,,
has offered become responsible to me TO do that which
/ requested OF your tribes 10 DO The Government OF
The United States has promised me TO make tribes
do what demanded Of you yourselves to do The Gov
eminent mas promised me TINS as an induceinent
70 LEI those Indians 20 10 their tribes. Because
the Government has promised me this aad be,
cause / do not want the Government OF the United
states 20 tail ~ comply with its PROMISES am about to
turn over Santanta ard Big Tree. You neard Monday
What 7 demanded Santanta Big Tree and You, Kiowas
and Comanshes hoard what sand The same thing the
Government of the United States now promised me you
ha do NOW Santanta and Big Tree, you that they
comnly with what | demanded; that they keep good
fai with the Government otherwise you VIII be ar
rested and returned TO your tribes together with tho
other bad Indians who may Join with yon. Now, san
tanta and Big Tree you 20 TO your ubos and remember
what told you.
Commissioned Smith addressed the Indians follows
You all now see what load YOU have pat on back
The Governor Of Texas going 10 keep Santanta aud
Big Tree until you did what was right and what he de-
handed Of you. But promised HIM that you should do
what was right and now want you 10 promise me
beore these Texans aud before these other gentlemen
nresent that you will do what the Governor wants you
w no and what the authorities at Washington want you
IN 40 should be ashamed 10 go down TO Texas or To
Washington month from now and see that you nave
roEen rhs promise Now want TO see all OF you down
at The agency this evening" as have something want
10 say to you
santanta here threw his arms around Gov Davis and
hugeed him like grizzly bear for several seconds The
two chiefs then mingled with their people amid the
,rude,t 10y and excitement Toward evening the Com
,o.sioner made q formal demaa OF the Comancbes TO
have five Of their number who raided In Texas this sum
MGR brought into the post to morrow, and warned them
not to fail
CORN AND PORK PROSPECTS,
Cr,c,no Oct. 22.-The Commercial ReuieW