New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-24
A CONFERENCE WITH THE CHIEFS.

THE ADDRESS OF EX-GOv. FLETCHER-EEPLY OF
RED CLOUD AND LITTLE wOUND-A Statement
OF THE GRIEVANCES OF THE TRIBES.
[FKoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIDrNE.l
RED CLOUD AGENCY, Ncb., Aug. lit
having been announced that the Commissioners would
be happy receive any OF the representatives OF the
several tribes who should choose call on them this
information was quickly conveyed through the several
Indian camps Many of the leading men OF the tribes
had called To pay their personal respects the members
of the Commits sion, but they declined to talk about busi
ness with the Commissioners, because 1t was CON
trary TO their policy to talk oil anaTs re-
Iatng to their tribes unless IN the presence
of their fellow chiefs At noon, therefore, MI
merous groups Of Indians assembled in front of the
agency buildings awaiting the time OF their reception.
The gates OF the sOcade at last thrown open, and
the Indians hed in foot and ON horseback band OF
highly decorated "braves entered 10 the music of
huge drum and drawing up before the dwelling OF the
agent began preparations for a dance The Commits
sioners had been informed of their intended visit.
and had ordered tents to be pitched for the
purpose of viewing the dance IN comfort The
disengaged Indian warriors, with their squaws
and papooses lined the walls OF the sockade, aud the
Drel,nlnares were begun. Sitting Bull, powerful
chief Of the Sioux and well known friend OF the whites
acted ms master of ceremonies. lie was mounted on a
fine Indian pony. and painted ana decorated IN the
highest degree After tina dancers bad taken posi-
ton in center Of the Enclosure the signal Tor Inc
dance was given The music was or Il stupidity
monotonous character. 1t was furnished b. of
drum,ners, and it was varied by the chanting Of the
drummers and by doleful shreks from several squaws
CROWNED near the left OF the incosure The dancers
were all "bucks" or warriors, dressed in the most
elaborate war costume and painted with all the coOrs Of
the rainbow they stood for the dance they looked
like group of demons escaped from the internal regions
The drum sounded, and to its tumm and the chant
ing the dancers went through slow dance, pos
81 fUn
their feet and giving all the evidence Of being infected
with All exaggerated form Of Indian caDcan dance.
After few moments the dancers stopped 10 rest, and
the squaws then began 10 sing the praises OF the braves
the number of scaps they had tkcn and the horses that
they had stolen. The dance resumed and then the
spectators began to send in presents OF flaming
colored calico cloth, which were given to
souaws then laid at the feet OF the
dancers and then almost Immediately taken away by
thoughtful friends who did not wish the pieces to be
trampled upon After an hour the Omaha" this
dance is called ended and the Indians inedout beating
their drum and chanting praises OF their own vaor Inc
scene however one not easily forgotten For the
time the brghtcoored garments Of the squaws and the
rotesquo decorations Of the braves" almost an
Oriental air the At the conclusion OF the dance
the Commissioners went ~ the warehouse OF the agency
and the warriors, having, in Indian STYLE taken their
pleasure before doing business proceeded to the Council
OF the Commissioners. Red Cloud Oldham Afrad-of-
HisHorses, Sitting Bull, Little Wound, and all the
leading men OF the tribes present to make known
their grievances The festivy OF few moments before
was plainly at end and with all the gravity of their
race the warriors seated themselves on the benches
on their launches and awaited the opening OF the "ong
talk" When the leading chiefs were announced az pres
ent, eY-GOy Fletcher on behalf OF the Commissioners
announced the object OF eil visit TO the agency fol-
lows
ADDRESS OF EX-Gov. FLETCHER.
We have come hear, Sec and talk with you, not
with intention Of making any bargain or treaty We
are We have to learn if
has uscd you If the agent or any Of the contractors
who have been employed by the Government 70 furnish
supplies have not done right, we want 10 find 1t
out /; and If find that anybody has not given
you your rations, has given You bad rations,
we shall have them punished by our laws.
You must learn the ways of the white man you must
learn how cattle and sheep and cultivate the
plains Toll therefore. my friends how you have been
wronged.
SPEECH OF RED CLOUD.
After some elaboration. Red Cloud said Ny fnends