New Orleans Republican., 1873-07-25
Howard's Treaty with COchise.

A letter from the Governor Of Sonora to
the San Francisco Alta Calitornia upon the
Outrages committed by the Arizona Apaches
during their raids into Mexico has disclosed
the fact that the terms OF General HOward's
treaty with these Indians have never been
made public. The Alta of July l. comment
ing upon Governor Pesqueira's letter, says:
1--WE demand the publication of the treaty
made between General Howard and Cochise.
Let the people know the terms by which
we are disgraced, and our friendly sister
republic hamiliated and wronged. We
deny the right of the Secretary of the
Interior to keep it concealed. 1t is public
property, and We know CT no motive for
secrecy except consciousness of wrong"
On the ninth of January last General
Crook wrote to Governor Pesqueira as fol-
lows: Il have the honor to inform you that
after the twentieth instant ! will compel
the Indians in the southern part of this Ter
ritOry, known as the tribe OF Cochise. to
submit themselves to daily roll-call, and if
they should refuse, l will commence hostili-
ties against them without delay. Knowing
that these Indians have been a terrible
scourge to your State, take the liberty of
requesting you to place strong detachments
near the line to prevent them from taking
refuge in Sonora if tLey escape the pursuit
Of our soldiers. Do me the favor to keep
this secret uDt the date mentioned above"
Governor Pesqueira returned his thanks,
and said the troops Of Sonora had been or
dered out as requested. But General Crook
did not keep his promise, and the reason of
his failure to do SO is thus explained by the
ANn.
He went with formidable force of cav.
airy to the Chiricahua reservation, and
told Cochise that he must bring up his men
to daily roll call. in accordance with the
order of General Schofeld, commander of
the division. Cochise refused, and told
General Crook that he had no right to be
there with his soldiers, for the treaty with
Howard stipulated that the troops would
not come on the reservation, except to
travel along the roads between the mllitaly
posts. COchise made no concealment OF the
raiding OF his tribe into Sonora, and said
his treaty with Howard did not forbid it.
General Crook had no copy of the treaty.
and he believed Cochise was right, or at
least he was afraid of violating the obliga-
tions Of his government. and therefore re-
tired. He then wrote to the commander
OF the division requesting copy OF
the treaty, and General Schoteid not having
such document, wrote to the Secretary of
War requesting copy OF it, but after
lapse of four months it mas not been re-
ceived here, necessary as it is to the proper
understanding and performance of their
the Pacific and the commander Of the de-
partment of Arizona occupy the honorable
position Of standing guard, at respectable
distance, over lot Of Apaches, while they
are engaged in numbering and plundering
the peaceful citizens of friendly republic,
they ignorant of their rights and duties
against the bloody Cochise, whose inso-
lence they can not chastise, and whose
assertions about the treaty they can not
deny. Are we not right in demanding the
exposure of this Infamous treaty! Is it
not disgraceful enough that such corrupt
bargain should ever have been made! Is
this the vaunted peace policy Cochise
and his blood thirsty tribe were moved,
with the assistance Of the American gov
ernment, to reservation within three
hours journey of the Mexican settlements.
They were assured that no troops should
watch or check their proceedings. They
were placed in charge OF an agent who
consents to retain his position while he
knows they are engaged in the trade of
murder. The order OF daily roll call, en-
forced at all the other reservations, and re-
garded as necessary to prevent raids, is not
applicable here