New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-08
THE TREATMENT or TIE INDIANS.
PROF. MARSH ON THE STATEMENTS OF Mr..
STEELE


STEELE.
RED CLOUDS COMPLAINTS SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
THE FACTS IN REGARD TO LIGHTWEIGHT
CATTLE ACTUAL SUFFERING AMONG THE IN
DIASs FOR WHICH THE Agency is RESPONSIBLE
To the Edttor or The Tribune.
SIR: In your report Of the Hon. K. w.
steeles remarks before the Indian Commission which
appears in THE TRIBUNE Of to-day, notice the follow
ing Concerning the veraety Of Red Cloud, MI steele
said that he knewJe not TO be trusted, and Prof
Marsh told him that Red Cloud had lied
to him for a space OF seven months Now
"a Red Cloud is virtually neighbor Of Mr. Steele, 1t
may safely be left to that chcftn to settle with the
Wyoming delegate any little question OF veracty between
Them must protest, however, against the statement OF
Red Clouds long continued mendacity 70 myself Ny
acquaintance with Red Cloud began last November anu
intercourse continued only during that month Since
then have him. had any communication
with him. Hence there is just ground for the re
ported statement and have said nothing to justify IT,
To my certain knowledge, Red Cloud Like most OF his
race, occasionally draws long bow, but must do him
the Justice say that his complaints about ratons annu
tiles and agents essentially confirmed by all saw
myse learned from other disnterested observers In
question therefore, between Red Cloud and the Indian
Ring where both interested, should decidedly
prefer the testimony Of Red Cloud. For example One
OF Red Clouds earnest complaints at our first council
was that the cattle given 10 his people were
very small and lean | saw several hundred
OF these cattle issued TO the Indians and
they the poorest lot OF Texas cattle have seen In
the West although Autumn, II they should
have been fat Moreover Gen L. P. Bradley. the mill
tary commander that district, and Col John Mix OF
the Sd T. s. Cavalry both army officers OF large expert
ence in Western life, carefully examined the same lot OF
cattle Red Clouds request, and pronounced all ne nad
said them strictly truethe average weight per
head being 700 pounds although the contract
f.an gnff1
have been inspected and weighed at the Agency
and not some 200 miles distant. The latter
course-like much of the present system in
Indian affairs - tends directly to invite fraud
as the substitution Of inferior cattle during the two
weeks Journey the Agency could readily be made
Mr. -eees suggestion, that II the cattle Increased IN
weight ION the Journey the gain OF the Indians"
will provoke a very broad smile among his constituents,
who know the journey is nearly 200 miles OF aka
line plain where there little grass and less water Ger
ainy the cattle issued at the Red Cloud Agency Last
November had gained the journey new beef nspec-
tor should be appointed without delay The impression
given by Mr. Steees remarks, that each one OF the cattle
weighed separately and marked VIII certainly be news
to the good people OF Wyoming
The point most insisted on by Red Cloud In all the
councils held with him that his people already
cold and hungry owing to the insuffciency OF tie food
and clothing given them, and that the approaching
Winter would cause great suffering among them How
untrlithful Red Cloud in this statement may
be Judged from the fact well known, that
his tribe nearly starved during the past Winter
One OF my iniormants this point is Col F.
H. Stanton, L. 8. A., with whom Mr. steele visited the
Red Cloud Agency another is Lieut.. W. L. Carpenter
one OF the officers who nearly lost their lives in
the attempt to expe the Black Hills miners last January
and who was with my last expedition. In prl
vate letter written the Red Cloud Agency in April last
Lieut. Carpenter says: The Indians are all quiet now
nh hava haen
on the verge OF starvation through the rascay Of the
Indian Ring They have been compelled To eat dogs,
wolves, and ponies"
MI steele says that the agent at the Red Cloud Agency
"s very kind TO the Indians They certainly came
near being killed by this kindness What Indians need
not 30 much Kindness justice and hrmness, qualities
which are apparently wanting the Red Cloud Agency
Neic Hdren, May 5, 1875. o. {. MARSH.