The New York herald., 1876-07-09

which large number passed.
Mr.. KNOTT, oi Kentucky, rose to announce the sud
den and unexpected death OF his colleague, Mr.. Par
sons and offered resolutions Tor the appointment OF
committee supcrntcnd The funeral and attend the
remains to Louisville Ny.
The resolutions were adopted, and Nessrs. Black.
burn. o! kentucky Hopkins, OF Pennsylvania; Hart
SELL OF Illinois; Walker OF Virginia; Fort Of Inois
Lawrence OF Ohio, and Clark, OF kentucky, were ap.
pointed such committee
adjourned.
HISTORY OF THE SIOUX Diff
GUILTY.
WASHINGTON, July g. 1875
The Secretary of War to-day addressed tho following
letter to the President
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, d. C., July 8, 1876
To THE PREsIpRSr:-
To enable you TO answer the nclosed resolution Of
the Senate OF July have the honor to submit the
following brief statement OF facts exhibited by the
records Of this department Tho Sioux Dakota na.
ton OF Indians, embracing various tribes-Y anktons,
Yanktonais, Brues. Ogalallas, Minneconjous,
sous-Arcs, Two Kettles, &c.--havo long been
known the brave and warlke savages OF this
continent They have Tor centuries been pushed
ward by the advancing tdo OF civilization till in 1868
an ngement treaty made with them, by
special commission named by Congress- whereby, for
certain payment or stpulatons, they agreed
render their claims TO oil that vast region which layi
west OF tho Missouri River and north Of the Platte Il
live peace with their ncghbors; to restrict them
selves to territory bounded east by the Missouri
River, south by Nebraska west by the 1O4th meridian
and north by the forty sixth parallel of latitude
territory rs large the State Of Michigan
The terms of this treaty have been literally perorme
the part OF the United States, and also
complied with by tho great of the Sioux Indians
Some of these Indians, however have recognized
tho binding force Of this treaty, but have always
treated 1t with contempt, have continued to
pleasure attacking scattered settlements In Nebraska
Wyoming, Montana and Dakota, stealing horses and
cattle and numbering peaceful Inhabitants and travel
lera
On the 9th OF November, 1875 United States Indian
Inspector +. G. Watkins made elaborate report 10
the Commissioner OF indian Affairs, In which he
this language
have the honor to address you in relation to the at
titudc and condition OF wild and hostile bands VI
Sioux indians IN Dakota and Montana that
oS through sns Srgns and wh
think should bc the policy OF tho government
toward them. refer TO Sitting BULBS band and o,ner
bands of the Sioux nation under chiefs head Of
less note, but no less untamabe and hostile These
Indians occupy the ccntrc. to speak, and
Western Dakota and Eastern Montana, including tho
rich valleys OF the Yellowstone and Powder and
make war on the Mandams Gros ventres Auckuves,
Agsiniboines, Blackiect, Piegans, Crows and other
friendly tribes the circumference. From their
traI position they strike to the east, north and west
tribes well frontier settlers and luckIcss white
hunters emgrants who are not In sufficient force 10
resist them
Alter describing great length their character and
supposed number. given at few hundreds, he says;
Tho true policy, In my judgment, is to send troops
against them in winter the sooner the better, and whip
them into subjection They richly merit punishment
murders OF white settlers and their families or white
men whenever found unarmed
The force estimated necessary to whip them was
1000 This communication was submitted by the
Commissioner Of Indian Affairs, Hon. Edward r.
Smith, to Hon. Secretary Of the Interior b. Chandler
who in torn submitted 1t to the Secretary of War,
General Beiknap, for his consideration and action.
In a subsequent communication OF the Secretary Of
tho Interior Of December 1875 to the Secretary
War; occurs this language have the honor TO
form You that havc this day directed the Commits
sioner OF Indian Affairs to notify said Indians Sit
ting Bull ard others, outside their reservation,
that they must to the reservation before the
3lst day of January, 1876 that n they neglected
refuse to that they will be reported the
War Department. hostile Indians, and that a military
force will bc sent compel them obey the order OF
tho Indian officer"
On the LIST day Of February the Secretary OF the In
terror further notified the Secretary OF War
The time given him (stting BULL in which return
to agency having EXPIRED and advces received l
the Indian Oce being TO .he effect that Sitting Bull
missioner, the said Indians hereby over TO
TIE War Department for such action the part Of the
army as you may deem proper under the crcum-
stances
During all the stages Of this correspondence the Gen.
era OF the army and his subordinate commanders were
duly notified and making preparations striking
blow at these hostile savagcs, enterprise OF almost
unsurmountable difficulty in 4 country whero winter
the thermometer falls forty degrees below zero
ana where Il Is impossible procure food for man OF
boast An expedition fitted out under the
personal command OF Brgadier General George
Crook, officer Of great merit and experience which,
in March last marched from Forts Feterman and Lar.
annie TO Powder River and Yellowstone valleys, I'D
struck and destroyed the village OF Crazy Horse, one
~P~s hostile bands referred by Indian Inspector
watkins; but the weather found bitter cold and
other difficulties. 80 great arose. that General Crook
returned to Fort Laramie In . unsuo-
cessfu, 80 far a. his main purpose was concerned
n,r rNv,