The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1876-09-15
THE SIOUX COMMISSION.
Nature Of the Instructions In Regard to
Treating with The Sioux.

WASHINGTON, D. o., Aug. 90, '78.
The instructions to tile Sioux Commission
appointed under the recent act of Congress
have been nearly completed, and are sub
| stantially as follows
The provisions of the act are given, after
| which it says that it will be seen from the
above that Congress has expressed it's de-
termination to appropriate nothing further
| for the subsistence of the Indians above
named unless they shall agree, first, to re-
linquish all right and claim to any country
outside the boundaries of the permanent
reservation, established by the treaty of
1868.
Second-To relinquish all right and claim
to so much of their said permanent reserva-
tion as lies west of the 103d meridian of
longitude.
Third-To grant a right of way over the
permanent reservation to that part thereof
which lies west of the 103d meridian of
longitude for wagon and other roads from
convenient and accessible points on tho
Missouri River, not exceeding three in num-
ber.
Fourth-To receive all such supplies as
are provided for by said act and by said
treaty of 1868 at such points and places on
their said reservation, and in the vicinity
of the Missouri River, as the President may
designate.
Fifth-To enter into such agreement or
arrangement with the President of the
United States as shall be calculated and
designed to enable said Indians to become
self supporting. If, in order to carry into
effect the provisions of this act, the COM
mission find it necessary to visit the
agencies on the Missouri River, in addition
to those of Red Cloud and Spotted Tail,
they are authorized to do so
The subject for negotiation are so clearly
defined by the act as to render further
elaboration unnecessary, except the last one
mentioned, of which the instructions say
further If any agreement shall be con-
cluded you will impress upon the Indians
the fact that it will not be binding upon
either party until it shall have received the
approval of the President of the United
States and of Congress. 1t is not expected
that you will define any line of right of
way for roads through the reservations.
That should be left to the agreement to be
designated by the President. One of the
most important subjects of the negotiation
is that represented by the fifth clause above
mentioned, and the President is strongly
impressed with the belief that the agree
ment which shall be best calculated to en-
able the Indians to become self supporting
is one which shall provide for their removal
at as early n day as possible to the Indian
Territory. They must depend for their sup
port mainly upon the cultivation of the soil,
and their own country is quite unfit for
that purpose. The superior climate and
soil of the Indian Territory, and the fact
that that Territory Is forever secured to the |
Indian people should afford strong induce
ments for the Indians to enter into such an
The Indians cannot now live |
upon their reservation without the aid of |
the government, and it is under no obliga-
Hop to continue its supplies Of food. While |
them as an inducement for any undertake
ing on their part it is believed that the gov
ernment will willingly furnish them suhsist-
ence, medical assistance and sch ools, until
they can care for themselves, in case of
their removal to the Indian Territory. If,
however, they decline to agree to such re-
moval they should be informed that they
will be obliged to 60 to the Missouri River
to receive such supplies as shall be provided
under any future act of Congress and the
treaties with them now in force. The first
meeting of the commission will be in
Omaha, on the 29th inst. Members of the
commission now in the service of the gov
ernment will receive only actual travelling
expenses; the other members will receive
i'm addition $40 per diem. The commission
will make full report of its doings Of any
agreement which shall be entered into with
the Indians aud submit the same for the
consideration of the Department, with such
recommendations upon the subject as they
may deem proper.