The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-09-09

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claratlon Of General Sheridan that no one
would be allowed 10 visit the Black Hills
country without authority from the Inte-
rior Department, meaning its authorized
agents., That department has been In re-
ceipt oI a large number oil letters asking
permission TO 60 there; and for the bene.
ut OF a large class the following letter Is
made public:
DEPARTMENT OF THR INTERIOR,
WARRINGTON, D. @. Sept. 8, 1874. I
sm:-l acknowledge the receipt Of
your letter oil the 27th ult referring TO
The associations that are forming ior the
invasion OF that part OF the territory en-
bracing the Black Hills, Notwithstanding
The existing treaties with the Sioux In
dlans, and requesting such suggestions
Tor the guidance and benefit Of the citi.
zens Of the territory as may be considered
appropriate by the Department. In re-
ply would say that by the second
article OF the treaty between the United
States and the different tribes oil the Sioux
Indians concluded April 20, 1868, Statutes
vol. 10, Il. 6S6 Of the United States) agree
that the following district Of country to.
VIII, VIZ commencing on the east bank Of
the Missouri river where the 46th parallel
OF the north latitude crosses, and the
same thence along the low water mark
down said east bank to q point opposite
where the northern line Of the State Of
Nebraska strikes the river, thence west
across SAID river and along the northern
line oi Nebraska 10 the 104Ih deg. OF longt.
tude west from Greenwich, thence north
on said meridian TO a point where the
10Th parallel OF north latitude interccpts
the same, thence due east along said par
allel 10 the place of beginning, and In ad-
dition thereto all Of the existing reser-
vatlons on the east bank Of said river
shall be and the same is set apart for the
absolute and undisturbed use and occu-
patton oil the Indians herein named, and
for such other friendly tribes or individ.
ual Indians as from time to time they are
willing, with the consent OF the United
States, 10 admit amongst them; and the
United States now solemnly agrees that
no persons except those herein designated
and authorized 90 10 do, and except such
officers, agents and employees Of the Gov
eminent as may be authorized 10 enter
upon the 1n1ian reservation in the dis.
charge OF the duties enioined by law,
shall ever be permitted to pass over, settle |
upon or reside In the territory described
In this article, or in such territory as may |
be added to this reservation for the use Of |
said Indians; and henceiorth they will |
and do hereby relinquish all claim |
Or rights in and TO any portion Of the Uni.
led States or Territories, except such 40
IS embraced within the limits aforesaid,
and except as hereinafter provided. The
foregoing section prescribes who shall
be allowed 10 enter this territory so set |
apart Tor the Indians, and expressly states
hat none others shall be permitted to pass
over, settle upon or reside therein. The
only power TO alter this provision Is that
which made the treaty, and then 1t must
1e done with the consent oil the Indiana
What is known as the late exploring ex-
petition OF General Custar was merely q
military Reconnaissance Of the country for
he purpose of ascertaining the best loca.
lion for military post, should II become
necessary TO establish one there.
On the 22d OF June last, in a letter 10
his Department, the Honorable Secretary
d War wrote on this subject as follows:
1t is well known 10 the Department that
1t various times settlers in the adjacent
country contemplated expeditions 10 the
Black Hills, and the Department has uni.
ormly discountenanced such movements.
But 1t has now almost become military
necessity that accurate knowledge should
be possessed by the army as 10 this por-
lion OF our territory, and for that purpose
only is the present expedition undertaken.
The question Of opening up this country to
settlements rests in Congress, and until
action has been taken by that body this
department has no discretion in the matter
but is required and will endeavor 10 pre-
vent any violation Of the provision of the
treaty before mentioned for reasons here.
In set forth. All applications for permis.
sion to visit Black Hills country will be
denied. Very respectfully your obedlent
servant. lf-aL'F .l ....
[Sigued,l B K: CowAN,
Acting Secretary 10 Cor J. 7. Pennington,
YanktOn, DR..