Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-31

spirit in which the other Indians who
have been engaged IN hostilieies against
the United States, and have surrender
ed to the military forces, have been re-
ceived. ISmile by Sitting Bull We
will now explain to you what the presi-
dent intends to say when he promises
that in case you accept these terms YOU
will be treated in as friendly spirit as
the Indians who have surrendered. OF
/ all those bands which We're at war with
the United States year ago, this band
of yours which has sought refuge in the
British POSSESSIONS is the only one
/ which has not surrendered Every
other one has come into some of the
agencies established for the Sioux ma
ton. OF these bands no single one has
ever been punished for his hostile or
criminal acts. Every man and every
woman and every child has been re-
ceived as friend Every one has re-
ceived sufficient food and clothing for
his support. Every one has been treat
| ed III the same manner as those of your
nation who during all of the past
troubles, remained peaceably nj their
agencies 1t is true that these Indians
have been required to give up their
horses and arms, but these horses and
arms have been partially sold
and all will be sold, and whatever
has been or may be received for them
has been or will be applied for the ben
eft of those from whom they were
taken. One of us has already caused
to be purchased and sent to the agen-
cies on the Missouri river six hundred
and fifty COWS for the use of the Indians
there. This has been done in the be-
lief that the best hope for the future
welfare of your people and their chill
dren is in the abandonment Of your
present mode of life and the adoption
OF the occupation Of raisers of cattle
! These same terms are now offered YOU.
The president cannot and will not con
sent that you should return to your
country armed, mounted, and prepared
Tor war. He cannot consent that YOU
should return prepared to infict iniu-
rles similar to those which you have in
/ fllcted in the past; but he invites YOU to
come to the boundary of his and your
country, and there give up your arms
and ammunition. lSpotted Eagle and
other Indians laughed outright. |
! Thence to 90 to the agency which he
will assign you, and there give up your
horses, except those required for peace
full pursuits. Your arms and ammuni-
ton will be sold, and with all the money
! obtained for them, COWS will be bought
and sent you. From these cows you
will be able to raise herds, which will
support you and your children long
after the game upon which you now
depend for subsistence shall have
disappeared, and in the meantime you
will receive the clothing and food
/ which the other bands of your nation
are now receiving. We have come
many hundred miles to bring you this
message from the president, who, rs we
have told you before desires to live in
peace with all his people. Too much
white and Indian blood has been she'd.
IL Is time that bloodshed should cease.
OF one thing, however, it is our duty to
assure you; You cannot return to
your country ana your friends unless
you accept these propositions. Should
you attempt to return with arms in
your hands, you must be treated as
enemies of the United States. We ask
! you to take these propositions into cob
sideratlon, to take time consult to-
gethcr and to weigh them carefully.
When you have done SO we shall be
glad to meet and receive your answer"
Gen, Terry said in conclusion: "If
you desire to consult alone, the white
people will 60 out"
Suspecting treachery, Spotted Eagle
sprang to his feet and said: II want
none Of the white people to go out
SITTING BULLS REPLY.
In his turn Sitting Bull rose slowly to
his feet, threw the robe off his shout
der! and displayed blue calico shirt
which was worn over his leggings. His
leggings were made of dark blue cloth,
with dark stripe extending down the
sides, and around his neck was tied IA
red-banded handkerchief His first
, sentences We're uttered in sharp, vim
I dictivc manner and his sentiments
We're re-echoed by his followers. The
/ close of each sentence was followed by
How" from all the Indians III tie
room, showing how closely they sym
| pathizcd with him He spoke a. fol-
Toys:
~For sixty-four years you have kept
me and my people and treated Us bad.
What have we done that you should
want us? We have done nothing. 1t
is all the people of your side that have
started us to do these depredations. We
could not go anywhere else, so we took
refuge in this country of the British.
1t was on this side of the country that
we learned to shoot, and that is the rea-
son | came back to it again. Why do
you come here? IN the first place |