The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-09-11
TIE NEW ELDORADO.
Parties Of Gold Hunters Asking Per.
mission to 80 to the Black Hills
Treaty ObligatiOns-Letter from
the Interior DEPARTMENT.

WASHINGTON, Sept. S.-Since the de-
cIaration 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, that department has
heen in receipt of large number of let
ers asking permission to go there, and
for the benefit of a large class The follow
ing letter is made public:
DEPARTMENT OF TIE INTERIOR,
WAsHINGToN, Sept. 8, 1874.
SIR-I acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 9th inst. referring to asso-
Citations that are forming for the terrific
ry embracing the Black Hills, notwith-
standing existing treaties with Sioux In
diahs, and requesting such suggestions
for the guidance and benefit of citizens
of the territory as may be considered ap-
oropriate by the department, and in re-
ply would say that in the second article
If the treaty between the United States
md different tribes of Sioux Indians,
concluded April 20, 1868, (Stat vol. Is,
.. $685. the United States agrees that the
ollowing district of country, to-wit, viz:
Commencing on the east bank of the
Missouri river, where the forty-sixth
parallel of north latitude crosses the
same; thence along low water mark down
aid east bank to point opposite, where
The northern line of the State of Nebras-
.aid river and along the northern line of
Nebraska to the one hundred and fourth
legree of longitude west from Green
wich; thence north on said meridian to
l point WI e the forty sixth parallel of
north latitude Intercepts the same; thence
Iue east along said parallel to the place
Of beginning, and in addition all exist
ng reservations on the east bank of said
river, shall be and the same is set apart
for the absolute and undistnrbed use and
occupation of Indians herein named, and
for such other friendly tribes or individ
ual Indians as from time to time they
may be willing, with the consent of the
United States, TO admit among them !;
and the United States now solemnly
Igrees that no persons ex ept those here
IN designated and authorized SO to do,
nd such officers, agents and employees of
ne Government as may be authorized to
inter- upon Indian reservations in the
ischarge of duties enioined by law, shall
yer be permitted to pass over, settle up
n or reside in the territory described in
his article, or in such territory as may
e added to this reservation for the use
f said Indians, and henceforth they will
nd do hereby relinquish all claims or
light in and to any portion of the Unit
d States or Territories, except such as
embra, e wi hin the limits aforesaid,
nd except as hereinafter provided"
The foreeoing section prescribes who
hall be allowed in this territory so set
part for lndi ms, aud expressly states
mat none others shall be permitted to
'ass over, settle upon or reside therein.
The only power to alter this provision is
hat which made the treaty, and then it
must be done with the consent of the
indians. 'What is known as the late ex-
,loring expedition" of General Custer is
rerely military reconnaissance of the
.onntry for the purpose of ascertaining
he best location, ifin the future it should
,ecome necessary to establish there
hilitary post.
On the 22d of June last, in letter to
mis- Department, the Honorable Secreta-
Y of War wro,e on this subject as fol-
Ow4
at j. well known TO the department
aat at various times settlers in the ad
trent country have contemplated expe-
dtions to the Black Hills, and the de-
Iartment has uniformly discountenanced
uch movements, but it has now almost
Iecome military necessity that accu-
'ate knowledge should be possessed by
he army as to this portion of our terri
ory, and that for that purpose only is
he present expedition undertaken."-I
The question of opening up this country
o settlement rests with Congress, and |
,ntil action has been taken by that body
iEis department has no discretion in the |
NATTER but is required and will endea-
vor to prevent any violation of the pro-
visions of the treaty before mentioned
For reasons herein set forth all applica-
lions for permission TO visit the Black
Hills country viii be denied.
Very respectfully your ob.t servant,
B.R. COWAN, Acting Sec'y
70 Gov. J. /. PENNINGTON, Yankton,
Dakota.
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The pc nd Of iesh-Makiny tough