The New York herald., 1876-07-31
THE INDIAN CAMPAIGN.

REPLY TO CRITICISM ON THE ACTION OF THE
INDIAN oFFICE-THE SALE OF ARMS STOPPED
AND THE ISSUING OF RATIoNs EXPLAINED.
WASHINGTON, July 30 1876
The Indian Office desires the statement DO mado
that since tho beginning of tho troubles with Sitting
Bull the office has been the subject of sharp criticism
which proceeds probably from ignorance on two
points-nrst, because Sitting Bull has been
found to be we'll provided with and
ammunition; and second, because wh,lo somo
of tho agency Indians have undoubtedly slipped
away from their agencies the issue of the ratons
those ing not been entirely stopped that
account On neither Of those points do tho facts
rant tho criticism. The position ard action OF the
Indian Ofice representing the "peace policy" which
contempatcs the OF tho military in chastising tho
defiant and hostile Indians fully as the of tho
civil power in protecting and aiding those who remain
friendly in regard to these subjects s shown In the
following brief statement:
THE SALE OF ARMS AMMUNITION
FYrsk-As to the sales of arms and ammunition. On
the 18th Of January, tho Commissioner OF Indian
Affairs directed by telegraph the agents at Fort
Beiknap, Fort PECK, Standing Rock Cheyenne River,
Rel Cloud and Spotted Tail agencies to stop all sales
of arms ammunition TO Indians al those agencies
and to seize all such articles liable TO reach the Indians
No CON plant by military officers others has yet
reached the Indian Once that any licensed trader or
any person at any o! The Sioux agencies has been per-
mted by Indian agents TO sell or barter to Indians any
arms ammunition whatever. Neither has any COM
plant been made to the Indian Office that any
OF their agents has rcmss IN attempting TO pre-
vent SO far lay In his power the Illicit and concealed
trade which has been undoubtedly carried on TO
greater or less extent since tho above orders
sued. The Sioux rescrvatonas large as the State Of
Ohio, and bounded on It's entirc eastern line Of 400
miles by navicable river, with It's numerous land
ngs and nnumeraOc other points who're stores OF ths
kind could be landed surrepitiousy. and with two Of
the most important agencies its southern border
within 200 miles Of Cheycnnccannot DO c,iectuaily
pa,rollcd by scant hundred employees OF the Indian
OGice scattered al the different agencies within It's
limits Nor is well known, by mono better
than the military themselves, by such force
as the military havc been able to command tor that
pur pose such police work has very properly, there
forc been left 10 the military, and while the Indian
once mas been in the main powerlcss to help u has
been very far from hinderng the military IN ther en-
deavors TO prevent this traffic
RATIosfSG THE iNpIANa
Second-As to rationing the Indians now at agencies,
the idea that the Sioux agencies TO be, with the
consent Of the Indian Oico, either tho recruiting
ground the refuge OF Indians engaged IN hostes,
Is a mistake. From time TO time most urgent
directions have been given to various Sioux
agents use their influence and authority to It's ut
most extent TO keep their Indians at their agencies.
For this purpose 1t has been thought wise to furnish
the agents. far as 1t has been in the power OF the
Office ~Ith such supplies Of the p!anest and cheapest
food would give the agency Indians no sufficient ex
cnsc to JOIN sitting Bulls band. If supplies bad not
been furnished there Is every 10 suppose that
the chiefs force would DO larger than 1t is by thou
sands The the disposal OF the Office for this
purpose have been very limited, and twice at least
within four months supplies at Red Cloud and Spotted
Tail have been almost utterly exhausted, for the sim
ple that Congress had given the Commissioner
the means Of purchasing them only after long delay
and much urgent soliciation the case at ono time
being serious that the President .et justified In
making II the subject OF special message
The Indian O'icc acting In the present emergency
In entire harmony with tho War Department and
proposes to aid the army Ia making complete
work By disarmipg. dismounting and arrestins
every hostile Indian who makes his appearance
any OF the agencies For Ihatnurpose on the 10th
inst the Commissioner issued the FLOWING tcegraphic
order 10 the several Sioux ageLces-
Allow the military far control Indians asto
jonin hos.les aud the latter and their
families except unconditional surrender
Aid arretng dissrm aud Gismounting su h. Issue
rations prisoners Assure all peaceabe
Indians OF full protection and kind eatnent