The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1874-09-18
TIE BLACK HILLS.
WAsHINGToN. SepreInbo

WASHINGTON, september ).
Since tie declaration of Gen Sheri-
dan that no one would be allowed to
visit the Black Hills country without
authority from the Interior Department.
meaning its authorized agents, that de-
parIment has been in receipt of large
number of letters. asking permission to
20 there. ana for the benefit of large
class, the follow ing letter is made public:
'.DEPAtTI:Nr OT THE INTERIOR
Wf~UIEGTON. CITY, September $.
"SIR-i acknowledge tire receipt of
your letter OF the 9th inst referring Ia
associations that are forming for tlic in
va>ion of that I,art of IlIe territory EN-
LraciiIg the BLACK Hills. notwitllStand-
ing existing treaties with the Sioux in
diaI:S. aEd rruuc-iii,s such suggestions
for tEie grti.;aiscc AID the benefit of the
citizens uf IL" territory a. may be con
sidtr2d appropriate ~ the department,
and ia reply wuuid say That ia the sec
Ord article of the treaty between the
United States and the different tribes OF
Sioux IndiaIIs. concluded April %, 1868,
(Stats. vol. l.. p. G:i6i. the United States
agree that the following district of cOun-
try. to-wit. viz: Commencing on the
east bank az the Missouri River where
the forty-siyii parallel of north latitude
crosses the same. thence along the low
water mark down said east bank to Il
point opposite where Z! g northern line
of the State of Nebraska strikes the
river, thence west across said river and
along the northern line of Nebraska to
the 10Th degree of longitude west from
Greenwich, and thence north on the
said meridian TO = point where the forty
sixth parallel of north latitude interceptS
the same, thence due east along the said
parallel to tine place OF beginning, and
i'll addition all Ie>erN ions on the east
bank of said river, shall be and the same
Is set apart for the absolute and undiS-
turbed use of the Indians herein named.
and to such other friendly tribes or i'll
dividual Indians As from time TO time
they may he willing with the consent of
the United States to admit among them;
and the UuiJed States now Solemnlv
agree that no persons. except those
herein designated and authorized so 10
do, and such officers, agents and EN-
plOyes OF the Government as may be au-
thorized to enter upon the Indian reser-
vaTions i'll discharge Of the duties ell
joined by law, shall ever be permitted
10 pass over settle upon, or reside III
the territory described in this article. or
i'll such territory as may be added to
this reservation for the use of said In
dians, and henceforrh they will and do
hereby reIinqui>h ali claims or right in
or TO any portion OF the United States
or territories. except such aS is embraced
within the limits aforesaid. and except
as hereinafter provided.
The foregoing section preScribeS who
shall be allowed in tins territory so set
apart for the Indians. and expressly
states that none Others shall be permit
ted TO pas over. settle upon. or reside
therein. The oi.Iy power TO alter this
provision i that which made the treaty.
and then it must be with the consent of
the Indians What iS known as the
late Exploring Expedition of Gen.
CuStar' j. merely Il military reconnoi-
sance Of the country. for the purpose of
aScertaining the best location. if in the
future. il should become necessary TO
establish there a military post. On the
22d or June last. in Il letter 10 this De
partmeut. the Honorable Secretary OF
War wrote Oh this Subject a. follows:
1t j. we'll known To the Depart
ment that az various times settlers III the
adjacent country have contemplated
expeditions TO the Black Hills. and the
Department has uniformly discounte-
nanced such movements, but it has now
become almost military necessity that
accurate knowledge should be possessed
by the army as to this portion OF our
territory, and for that purpose only Is
the present expedition undertaken. The
question of opening up this country TO
settlement rests with Congress, and un-
I'll action has been taken by that body,
this Department has no discretion in the
matter. but * required. and will endeav-
or TO prevent any violation of the pro
visions of the treaty before mentioned
For reasons herein set forth. all appli
cations for permission TO visit the Black f.
Hllls country will be denied.
" cry respectfully your ohedient servant, 1
''R. B. CuwEN. Acting Secretary.
=, u" GOV. J. l.. PENSISGroN. Yankton, |
Dakota