Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-06-02
THE INDIAN COUNCIL TO-DAY.
Another Talk with the President
without Result

The Sioux chiefs met their Great Father
the President, and Secretary Delano, Assist
ant Secretary Cowen, and Commissioner
Smith at the Interior department, at ten
o'clock this morning. The President was at
the department promptly on time, while the
saehems were as usual, some minutes late
There were present at the council. besides
those named, only Bishop Kane, the Row
Mr.. Hihman and other interpreters and the
official stenographers OF the department, the
Secretary having given positive orders to the
doorkeepers not 10 admit any other persons
not even representatives OF the press.
number OF the latter were present, but all
were denied admission by order of the Sec
rotary, it being understood that the latter
would furnish reports of the council, made
by his official stenOgrapher, to all cores
pOndents and reporters who would promise
10 print il entire.
THE FURNISHED REPORT.
The following is an abstract of the pro-
cCedlngs OF the council as furnished to repre-
SentallVes OF the press by Commissioner
Smith
The President began by explaining the
agreement that had been drawn wherein
they relinquish the right TO hunt in Nebraska
or Kansas, and reserve the right to occupy
the country in Nebraska north of the Mia
hrara rivera tract of country outside of
their reservation, but very valuable to them
as containing the only agricultural lands
open TO them. All ofNebraska north of the
North Platte in Nebraska is what is consid-
cred unceded Indian country. They give ND
portion of this and reserve for them selves
for permanent occupation of the country
north of the Niabrari where the Red Cloud
and Spotted Tail agencies are now located.
He explained to them that the appropria don
oil $1,000 was for the purchase of presents,
made so by Congress, whose laws he could
not alter. He offered to receive from the
chiefs the nomination of special commas
sloner TO take the money and purchase the
presents, and il lie was a proper person he
would turn over the money to him. The
President also referred gain to his deep in
terest in the future of the Indians, especially
of the Sioux, and his desire 10 see them well
provided for during his term of office, and
asked Them once more when they reached
home to consider among themselves the
question OF gOiL g TO the Indian territory.
spotted Tail replied for the Sioux that the
government was asking too much of them;
that there was certain part of Nebra ska.
north of North Platte river, which they had
never ceeded and which they considered as
belonging 10 them, and they wanted to know
when they were ever TO get paid for it, The
explanation was made TO him that a certain
part Of the country there was Unceeded coun-
try, but was not considered as belonging TO
the Sioux. II was undecided as to whom it
does belong; that the portion of the country
which they relinQuish il between the North
Platte and NiabTara rivers; that the rest of
the country, north of the North Platte in
NebraSk a. will he retained by them, and was
so much added TO their permanent reserva-
ton.
Spotted Tail then made further objections
TO signing any agreement here, urging that
he must go home and take the Presidents
words TO his people, and If they considered il
all right they would sign the paper there and
send word as TO what purchases should be
made for them.
II was again explained TO him that there
was not time TO do that; that the apprOpria-
ton lapsed on the 30th instant, and II the
purchases were not made by that time the
money would be out Of the control of the
President.
Spotted Tail shrewdly suggested that they
guard against that by taking it out of the
Treasury now and have it held by some per-
son for them.
1t was further explained 10 him that il
would he impossible to take it out until the
agreement was signed by the Indians.
Considerable discussion followed until l1.30
O'Clock, when the President was obIiget to
leave After he retired Red Cloud made a
speech reiterating the position he has always
maintained, that when he signed the first
iIeaty, in 1s's, IL was for thirty-iiv years of
feeding as well as clothing. and that all this
talk about reducing him down To five years
was cheat upon him.
Secretary DelanO represented the Presi-
dents earnest desire for their good, and asked
them to take this matter into serious con-
sideratiOn and settle it now.
The chiefs held brief consultation among
themselves, and left. without signing the
paper. to return TO their quarters and think
over the matter.