The New York herald., 1877-11-17
THE PONCA DELEGATION.

FINAL INTERVIEW WITH THE SECRETARY OF
THE INTERIoR-ToTAL FAILURE OF TIE
vIsIT-PRofoUsD DISSATISFACTION OF THE
CHIEFs-FAIR WORDS AND LITTLE ELSE.
wAsuiSGroS Nov. 10, 1877.
The anal interview OF The delegation OF tho Poncas
with tho government was held this afternoon at tho
Secretary OF tho Interior, the Commissioner OF In
dian Affairs, Mr.. William Ii. Lyons, OF the Board of
Indian COMMISSIONER and Nj. William Welsh, Of
Philadelphia Mr.. Welsh was present as a friend Of
tho Indians, aud had been sent for In order to DO
present at this time, when they felt that II was neccs
sary lor them to consult with old friend concerning
tho troubles that encompassed them
WHAT DESIRE.
At the arst interview these Indians mad with their
ssGroat Father" they begged that they might Do
turned from tho Indian Territory 10 their reservation
on tho Missouri, from which they had been taken
without their consent Failing Ia this they pleaded
earnestly at subsequent interviews that they might bo
allowed to JOIN the Omaha lndians a. Nebraska, who
speak the same language as the Poucas Al n private
interview Tuesday, ut which the Commissioner oil In
dian Affairs aud Mr. Welsh wero present, the PuDcis
we're that they return to the Indian Tor
rtory, but that they might select better land 10
they do like their present location. This alter
the Indians expressed their resolve 10 do what
their Great Father wants them 10 do saying that then
he would continue TO be tner friend They have mado
up list OF articles needed Tor civilization that they
crr%cd equivalent ior the land, houses and i'm
provements taken from them.
ORATORS AND THEIR oRArfOSs
Standing Bear, standing Bunslo, Frank Le Flcchlo
ana White Eagle, the orators oI tbe tribe, spoke
u tho counci. Tho speeches OF a serious
character Tue Poncas accepted tho situation,
but they gavo ample inuications OF their
dissatisfaction at the necessity that forced them TO 50
submit Tue orators declared their purpose 10 con
tinuo TO be good Indians. Tncy hoped tor vory favor
able con sidcratiou from their Great Father but thu
tenor OF their speeches indicated very clearly that they
viii thoir homes with hearts Drimul OF dts
mg
10 allow to reject their present location OF res-
dcncc and 20 back 10 tho old reservation.
After tho brief addresses OF the Indians the Sccrcta
ry oil the Interior assured them o his gadness that
they properly adjugcd the views OF tner Great Father
their future wcarc aud red them of tho trend
lincss ielt for tbom by the Government Mr. wesn
delivered to them fathery address, to which the In
dinDs gave profound attention. ana IN wnlen hc SAID
he would always be their iriond aud pre-
dictcd their prosperity In their fuiura
home. Commissioner Hcyt also explained TO them
that the provisions oi the treaty OF 1893 would be car
red out to the letter OF the law, and Rdprcscntayo
Plumb, OF Kansas. who was also present, addressed
them IN very kindly spirit Throughout the council
tue Poncas we're exceedingly serious. Tnoy took no
pans display their dlssatsiaction, and havo ac-
ceptcd tbe situation reluctantly. fhey know, as =
matter u course, they must do as they are bid; but
their failure 70 have thoir demands met with has ma1o
no Little impression upon them some vi the chioii
peioned for presents to take home, and, as far as
The Contingent iund of tho will allow this
Will probably be comp piled with