The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-09-18
THE NEW GOLD REGIONS.
Important Letter from the Depart
nent of the Interior-Ex petitions
Positively Prohibited from Visiting
the Black Hills.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., September s.-since
the declaration of General Sheridan, that no
one would be allowed to visit the Black Hills
country without authority from the Interior
Department, meaning its authorized agents,
the Department has been in receipt of large
number of letters asking permission 10 20
there. and for the benefit Of large class the
following letter is made public:
DEPARTMENT or THE INTERIOR, WAsuINGToN.
September :, lsi2. --SIR. l acknowledge the re-
ceipt OF your letter of the 9th instant reierriug
to associations that are forming for invasion OF
that part OF territory embracing the Black Hills,
Notwithstanding existing treaties with the Sioux
Indians, and requesting such suggestions for
the guidance and benefit of citizens of the
Territory as may be considered appropri-
ate by the Department, aud In reply would say
that IN the second article of the treaty between
the Uced states and the different tribes OF sioux
Indians, concluded April ~, 1868, statutes vol
II. H. p t35, Il. 636. the United states agree
that the following district OF country t. wit,
viz. commencing on the east hank Of the
Missouri River, where the forty-sIxth parallel of
north latitude crosses The same; thence along
low water mark down said east bank 10 a point
opposite, where the north line of the state OF Ne
braska strikes the river; thence west across
said river and along the northern line OF Ne
braska To the lptth degree of longitude west
from Greenwich; thence north on said meridian
to a point where the 18th parallel OF nortn lati-
tube interccpts the sane; thence due east along
said parallel To the place OF beginning. And,
In addition all existing reservations on the
east bank of said river shall be, and the same
use and occupation of the Indians herein named
and for such other friendly tribes and individual
Indians A. from time to time they. may be will
ing, with the consent of the United States TO adj
init amongst them. And the United States now
solemnly agree that persons, except those
herein designated and authorized so 10 do, and
such officers, agents and employees of the Gov
eminent as may be authorized 10 enter upon the
Indian reservation in the discharge Of duties en-
Joined by law, shall ever be permitted 10 pass
over, settle upon, or reside in the territory de-
scribed in this article, in such territory may
be added TO this reservation for the of said In
dians; and henceforth they will and do hereby
relrnquish all claims or right in and to any por-
ton OF the United States or Territories except
such IA is embraced within the limits aforesaid,
and except as hereafter provided"
The foregoing section prescribes who shall be
allowed in this territory so set apart for the In
dams, and expressly states that none others shall
be permitted 20 pass over. settle upon or reside
therein. The only power TO alter this provision
is that which made the treaty, and then it must
be done with the consent Of the Indians.
What il known as the late exploring expedition
of General Custer Is merely military reconnois-
ance Of the country for the purpose Of ascert ain
ing the best location, IL in future IL should be-
come necessary to establish there a military post
on the I'D OF June last in letter 10 this Depart
ment, the Hon. Secretary OF War wrote on this
subject IA follows:
IL is well known to the Department that Mt
various times settlers in the adjacent country
have contemplated expeditions TO the Black
Hills, and the Department has uniformly dis
countenanced such movements; but 10 has now
almost become military necessity that accurate
knowle ledge should be possessed by the army as TO
this portion of our territory, and for that ptir-
pose only il the present expedition undertaken.
The question OF opening up this country TO set
tlemsnt reefs with congress, and until action has
been taken by that body this Department has no
discretion in the matter, but Is required and will
enheavor to prevent any violation OF the provis-
ions OF the treaty before mentioned -
For reasons herein set forth, all applications
for permission to visit the Black Hills country
will be denied.
Very respectfully, your obedent servant,
IL. II. towAN, Acting secretary.
To Gov j. l.. Pennington, Yankton, Dakota.