The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-05
OBSTINATE INDIANS.

hold high rank as . diplomatlst. ne WILL
claim ali that there is in sight He will take
all that is given him and as much more as he
can steal He will promise almost anything
while the ammunition, guns, knives, biankets'
boots shoes, beads, ribbons and SHINING
trinkets are in his sight and not possessed.
He will perform as little of what ne promises
al he can, There is no tomorrow in Indian
nolicv. He makes no allowance for time.
The punishment which can only come next
year or next month is to him inc punishment
at all. The enforcing power OF treaty OF OF
a sale or of purchase is, in the savage eye
only what the force he sees before him can
compel him to obey. He measures the
strength of the Republic by the few companies
Of warriors he has seen bearing the flag OF
the Union, and because he knows that he can
run away faster than they can follow ne
thinks that his race, who are more numerous,
ought to have their own way.
There has been of late regular bout
at diplomacy at the Red Cloud Agency
somewhere in the neighborhood OF the
Black Hills country. The purpose was to
obtain from the chiefs of the Sioux Indians
a surrender of such rights OF possession,
ETC.. as had been conceded to them by
recent treaties, wherein it was agreed on the
part of the Indians that they would no
longer scalp the whites, rob travellers or way
lay wagon trains, provided they should have
the exclusive privilege Of hunting, fishing
and roaming over certain vast tracts OF
territory in Idaho, Wyoming and Nebraska
away up on the western branches OF
the Upper Missouri. This region included
the Black Hills country, subsequently found
rich in natural resources, and especially in
mines of silver and gold. Exploration con-
firmed in part the statements of travellers and
venturing miners, as well as the earlier le-
gends of enlightened missionaries In viola
ton of Indian treaty rights, vagabond miners
found their way in companies to the golden
regions and very large expeditions OF colo
nists were preparing to set out from neigh
boring settlements early this summer. These
incursions the tawny-.ease holders were Wig
orously preparing to resist and repel. Hence
military interference to keep the peace and
commission to represent the United States
government in an effort to repurchase the
Black Hills with rights Of way thereto.
Negotiations were opened about the 2Sth
September, where the Indians were repre-
sented by Red Cloud, Spotted Tail, Lone
Horn, Young Man-Afraid, Little-Big- Man,
about three hundred minor chiefs and seven
hundred braves, all thanks to the protecting
hand of our paternal government pretty
thoroughly armed and equipped. The execu-
tive and treaty making authority OF the
United States was represented by sundry
commissioners, who were kept in countenance
by several companies Of cavalry and infantry.
The negotiations began with formal
treaty, in which our commissioners offered
100000 per annum for the Black Hills
country for an indefinite period, which the
United States may terminate on two years
notice and complete restoration; or, if the
Sioux Indians prefer it, our government would
pay Sc, 100000 for the territory in fifteen equal
annual installments. to be employed annually
for their subsistence and civilization, together
with $50, 900 a year for q fraction of the In
dian reserve which lies in Wyoming Terri
tory, adjoining the southwestern part Of
Idaho and also $50, 900 worth Of presents, to
be distributed to the Indians after the treaty
should be completed.
But the treaty was readily rejected.
seems that the Sioux had formed very ex
travagant estimate of the value Of the gold
in the Black Hills country. They said thai
they had been long time very poor, but thai
now the Great Spirit had blessed them with
these rich possessions, and they were deter
mined to keep them or get their full value.
They thought the offer of six millions trihine
and Insignificant They wanted at leas
enough to support the Sioux nations for a.
,east seven centuries without their doing any
labor whatsoever.
Red Cloud was on his high horse. He tole
the Commissioners that the Black Hills were
worth more than all the rest of the UniteI
States. and he wanted such sum for tina
country that the interest on it would Civ
eyery Indian family, each year, six yoke
oxen, a wagon, span of horses and harness
with cattle, swine, sheep, chickens, coffee
tea, sugar, bacon, rice, hominy, beans, driec
fruit, houses, furniture, saw-mill for ever
tribe, home government, Catholic clergy a
teachers, and no meddling soldiers or milltar
roads through the Sioux Reservation. He in
sisted that the Black Hills had been given t
the Indians by God, SO that they might sub
sist upon their great boon, and nc
be obliged to hunt or work. Other CHIEF
followed in the same tone and spirit
Six hundred years, full subsistence wa
as little as any of them were willing to take
! They have awakened to the fact that the
have a very good thing in the gold-bearin
region, and they have no notion OF giving
up for little powder, whisky and red CLOTH
The chiefs of the Sioux and Arrapahoes hav
not associated with beef agents and spec'
lators without catching some OF the whit
mans notions They have learned what gol