Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-06-02
The Indians.

At eleven clock to-day the Pre- idout, Sec.
rotary DeIano, Assistant Secretary Coweu, the
Commissioner Of Indian Affairs and Bishop
Hare met the Indians 10 the room of the AS
sstant Secretary OF the Interior.
The press representatives were excluded, but
received the following from Commissioner Smith
afterwards.
The President explained to the Indians the
agreement that had been drawn, rclinquishing
the right TO hunt 10 Nebraska and Kansas, and
to reserve for them the country in Nebraska,
north Of the Niobrira, valuable agricultural
aud All Nebraska north Of the North Plat.
tc, is what is considered unceded ludian coun-
try They give up portion of this and reserve
Tor themselves the country north of the Mo.
brira, occupied by the agency OF Spotted Tail,
Red Cloud, and another tribe.
The President showed them that the $25,-
900 was given by Congress as presents, and he
could not alter it, He offered to receive from
them the nomination Of a special commissioner
to receive this money and purchase the pres
cuts for them, if he should be proper person
to do so.
The President also referred again to his deep
interest in the future OF the indians, especially
OF the Sioux, and his desire to see them we'll
provided for during his term Of Office, and ask
ed them once more when they reached home,
to consider among themselves the question OF
going to the Iudian Territory.
Spotted Tail replied for the Sioux that the
Government was asking too much of them; that
there was certain part of Nebraska, north OF
the North Platte river, which they had never
coded, and which they considered as belonging
to them, and they wanted TO know if they would
ever get paid Tor 1t.
The explanation was made to him that Ger.
| tain portion OF the country there was unceded
country, but was not considered as belonging to
the Sioux. 1t was simply undecided as to
whom it did belong; that the portion OF that
country, which they reuquished was between
the North Platte and the Niobrlra.
The rest of the couutry north of the North
Platte, 10 Nebraska, by this agreement, was
retained by them, and was so much added to
their permanent reservation.
Spotted Tail then made further objections tc
signing any agreement here, urging that he
must 20 home and take the Presidents words
to his people; and if they considered it all right
they would sgu the paper there, aud send
word as to what purchases should be made tor
them.
1t was again explained to him that there was
not time to do this; that the appropriation
lapsed June 80, and if the purchases were moi
made by that time, the money would be out OIL
the control of the President
Spotted Tail suggested that they might pro-
vide against that evil by taking the money ou
Of the Treasury now, and have it held by some
person for them.
It was further explained that it was impos-
sble to draw it out until the agreement should
be sigued by the Indians.
Considerable discussion followed until the
President was about to leave.
After the Presiden retired Red Cloud made
speech, reiteratng the position which he ha:
always maintained, that when he signed the frs
treaty it was for thirty five years of rations Il!
well as clothing, and all this talk about rcduc
ing him down to five years for ratioDs was 6
cheat upon him.
The Secretary again called the attention o.
the Indians to the main subject, and restatec
the Presidents earnest desire for their welfare
aud he asked them to seriously consider TIL:
matter and settle it now.
They we're unable to do so on the spot, auo
then retired to consider the matter.