The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-29
THE BLACK HILLS.
The Sioux SuIky at The Indifference Of
The Great Father.
THE COMPLAINTS OF THE INDIANS
A Council with General COwan and the
Indian Commissioner.
WASHINGTON, May 2s, 1875.

WASHINGTON, May g. 1875.
One OF the most important episodes In the trans
action OF Indian business, as relates to the Sioux
and which may have a bearing upon the facility
with which arrangements can be made WITH them
about the Black Hills, took place. at the In
terror Department to-day The sulky mood
and complaining manner OF Red Cloud was
beginning to show itself more strongly, because
the grievances he had TO make statement OF
were NOT listened TO by the Great Father. A no
less interested ana concerned person was iound
IN Professor Marsh, who was anxious that The
President might dispose OF the matter in contro-
versy as TO the quality OF food furnished 70 the
Indians and investigate, oy personal inquiry, the
truth or talsty OF the charges MADE against the
Indian Department, as might De developed by the
parties III interest. These we're imposed prl-
marty OF Sioux chiefs Red Cloud, Spotted TAN
and Red Dog, the latter OF whom was absent.
Next came the Indian Department, which was
aroused as being affected by the statements made
and, finally, Professor Marsh. who had been the
channel through winch they had ncen
made TO the Indian Commission ia New
YORK AMI 10 the President here, ana
who felt that ne wished 10 be sustained by the
corroborative oral evidence oil the Indians. Ac.
cordIngly to this end the President, by an under
stood arrangement was TO meet the delegation or
seven from among the Sioux chiefs, most prom
inent OF whom were Red Cloud ana Spotted Tail
who with Secretary Delano ana Commissioner
Smith. were to constitute the tribunal for the IN
vestigation into
THE ALLEGED EXISTING EVILS
OF bad treatment and rations Tor the Indians.
Many people, who take interest in the Indians
generally and IN the gravity OF the present under
taking as relates to the Sioux tribes and the
negotiations aimed at with them, we're rejoiced
tnat finally the President was going 10 listen to
the complanings OF the sensIuve and cxactng
savages aiter the odtime fashion. But some
time alter the hour Of meeting, fixed upon at
three O'Clock this afternoon, the announcement
was made by Commissioner Smith 10 the serious
and expectant Indians that
THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT DE ABLE
to De with them. 1t also appeared that Secretary
Delano would he absent and then the disappointed
Sioux were told that General Cowan Assistant
Secretary OF the Interior. and Commissioner
Smith would proceed with the inquiry.
Professor Marsh was present and, or course, be-
came absorbed In the proceedings as an In erested
party, ana they were commenced at once by
Commissioner Smith, who announced that they
were ready to hear what the Indians had to
say. Though the manner OF General Cowan
and Commissioner Smith was KIND, they DO III bore
an air OF 1rmness and determination as the pro-
ceedinGs advanced. Tod Randall, some time ago
az agent for the Indians, was designated by Red
Cloud as
HIS CHOSEN INTERPRETER,
while the Rev. Mr.. Hinman acted in the interest
or the department and as check against
any mslnteTpretatiYn OF what was said, in
wnicn capacity he was called on to correct
the translation OF Mr. Randall. which was several
times rather free If not incorrect. A great deal
o solcltude was manifested as 10 how the matter
would turn out. Spotted Tail gave the first place
10 Red Cloud, abandoning his, seat aud remained
an attentive listener throughout. Red Cloud
made very full statements, but was equivoca in
the answers he gave 10 inquiries put to
him. Professor Marsh then took the cross
examination; but, whether from the unreliable
character OF the Indian, when his interests are at
stake, or the want OF corroboranve facts 10 evi.
dence, the case ne had heretofore presented ana
into which he was led by Red Cloud was not sus-
tained. 1t H. however, coniended BY those
who have sided with hun ia the contro-
versy that policy and the fear that
the departments might become prejudlced
against the Sioux, decided Fed Cloud ard his
brothers TO weaken aud equivocate, which they
most glaringy did. At all events. whatever may
be the true merits. the old Scottish verdict OF
mo. proven would fairly apply. me officials OF
the department, General Cowan and Commits
sioner Smith, acted with fairness through
out, and Professor Marsh evidenced that
ne had not worked up his testi-
mony In support OF the charges, said
70 have reflected the great grievances which the
sioux had as 20 the poor quality and small quanti-
" Q! the rations furnished them by the Indian De
partment Inc whole tang on the part OF the In
dians may pe
MASoEUvRE TO GAIN TINE,
a. they did not want 70 talk to-day on tne
Back Hrs AZ the appointed time. and
have interjected this az subterfuge.
4 determined personal exchange or views
between Professor Marsh and Commissioner
smith after the proceedings were over LETT the
former IN as strong advocacy or the correctness
or his representations and their susceptibility OF
proof as ever. an avowal OF which was made by
him with as much warmth and animation al ac-
companied the accusing reprimand made by Com
missioner smith 20 him for the part he had taken
in bringing forward the charge against the IN
dian Bureau.
the interview between Assistant Secretary
Covan, Commissioner Smith and the Indians
however, settled one thing positively to-day
tnat, IN obedience 10 the request OF Red Ciond. n
new Indian agent Is to be given to the sioux in
place Of Dr. Savie, the present agent at Fort
Laramie. and whatever may have been tue com.
plain Imaginary or Just on the part or the
indians, y mas had the effect o. having their
wishes graihed In one respect. at ;elst thus Tar.
GENERAL BRADLEY's LETTER..
Commissioner smith, OF tho Indian Bureau. says
IN regard to tue letter Of General Bradley. pub
llshed Yesterday, that the cattle spoken or be-
longed 70 the contractors; that they were sick.
some of them with broken limns, and that they
were not Issued 70 the Indians, and mat
there was no intention or issuing them,
simply because they were in such q poor and sick
condition. lie asserts that Red Dogs statement
was incorrect ond that Red Cloud informed him
this morning that Red Dog lied when ne told the
story 70 General Bradley and Professor Marsh.
inc commissioner also states tnat General Brad.
lev could have satisfied himself OF this fact bv 1
slight inquiry or the herdman or contractor IL he
had desired to do 80.
THE GORDON BLACK HILLS EXPEDITION CAP.
TURED BY THE TROOPS.
OMAHA, Neb., May %, 1875.