The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1873-1875, 1873-08-06
MAI. SMITH AND THE IN
DAMS,
Mandaas, Grcsvons and Rees, in
Council With the Indian
Commissioner. "
Red Skins Dissatisfied and IsSsap-
pointed.
Starved, Poor and Des-
titute.

On Friday last Maj. Smith, the In
dian Commissioner, met the Mandans,
Grossons and Rees, in council at Fort
A. Lincoln. We give below synopsis
of the conversation held. A want of
space forbids ascornplese report.
The Chiefs of the three nations were
as elaborately dressed as we have ever
seen Indians under any circumstances
and were all fine looking men; and de-
llvered their orations in very impress
sive manner. -a
Maj Smith opened the Council as fol :
lows:
Heard you wished to 60 to Washing
ton. Game to see you; heard OF your
being friendly; sorry yoo are shut in
BY Sioux; great change coming over
Indian tribes. There are two kinds of
men, white men and redskins; heard
you wanted say something to me; that
you had been waiting ten days.
Grow Breast, Chief Of Grosvon said,
We are three tribes at Ft. Berthold ali
very poor been waiting long time to
see you; want TO see Great Father at
Washington.
Son of the Star, Chief Of Rees, and
really head of the three tribes at Ber-
th old {,iIou-;or co;1.
This day saw our Great Father and
we feel glad; been waiting great while
for you. Sent word we wanted see
Great Father; want our rights all our
men, women and children starving;
nothing but buffalo and antelope to eat;
they are driven off; expected to 60 to
" Washington at once want to know if
can go or not.
Bad Gun, Chief of Mandans, very
feeIingly said:
We are alone in the world Great f'a.
ther promised MS help; want to go TO
Washington; three tribes are poor in
flesh, starving; Great Father sent for
us; Maj. FsPpan- brought ns here; been
waiting for you; want to go see him.
we are very poor; If We go to Great
Father he will take pity on us, and give
us life want you to take me to him;
country have agency all rich, have plen
ty of cattle, and listen to them; mean
ing Sioux They kill our people; take
everything FROM us; onr nation small;
villages gong into the ground; want
enough to supply our wives and chill,
iren want to talk with Great Father,
shink he will help rs.
Mai. Smith-You would see only me
if you went to Wash:ngton you could
get nothing more there than here.
Government going to help you only as
you help yourselves; government wants
you earn living out Of soil; not going
give Indians pork and -four or allow
them to live in idleness as before. Don't
talk about going to Washington, you
can't go; tell me what you want here.
Small Back, Sergeant of Rec Scouts,
very emphatically replied;
Is this my Great Father? Look at me.
Its good [ see you; we were going to
see you, glad see you here Great Fa'
ther, who made this railroad here. Who
is between road and whites? Who protect
them Has my Chief looked around ?
Got only one Great Father ; plenty of
people living around Sioux shut usin,
we can do nothing, recommend enlist
ment Indians; We get nothing we want;
everything belongs to government We
soldiers go fight, have nothing; we feel
ashamed. AM soldier, beg for moth
ing; am here as soldier to be killed;
dare not look my boy in face. Great
Father don't take words Of Indians
want to go to Washington but you
say no. ...
Mai. Smith Where you live crops
uncertain, plenty of good land where
you can raise grain, horses and cattle.
If you want to send men to see that
country say so. Talk it over; if you
wan. to go will move all your tribes.
VIII see you again in half En- hour.
Son of the Star-You take me for a
child. We tell you truth-God hears
us. God made us all, we are all the
same except in color We are ashamed
now wanted to go am showed back.
Sioux been to Washington, they have
erything; you don't hear what we
say: All can say. Want you to say
yes; nothing more; piles of letters
sent to Washington, no news back =;
want to see country talked about; you
see us, we are small; but are not afraid
Of anybody; we can't get what we
want.
Mai. Smith--No use talking about 60
ing to Washingtop,say what you have to
stay here.
Conference then adjourned for half
m hour. Indians went into consulta-
ton. After while they formed ia 3 ]