The New York herald., 1877-10-25
The Commissioners Report
CT the Interview.
A Subsequent Conference with
the Canadian Authorities.
THE ORIGINAL DECISION ADHERED TO.
The United States Govern
nent Satisfied.
THE ORIGINAL DECISION ADHERED TO.


The following is the oioa! despatch to the govern
ment authorities here announcing the interview OF
the United States Commissioners x,h sitting Bull
CANp or THE MILK RIVER, N. T., Oct. 20, 1877
To TnE HONORABLE SECRETARY OF WAR HONOR
ABLE SECRETARY or rnE INTERIOR, Washington
The commission met Sitting Bull and his chiefs
at Fort Walsh the 18th inst Tho Instructions were
carried out literally. sitting Bun and his chiefs
declined the proposals. Tho address OF the comms-
SION and the answers Of Tho chiefs have boon tco-
graphed 10 the NEW YORK HERALD ana II IS deemed
unnecessary TO repeat them this telegram After
the conference was over the Canadian auth had
u conference with the same individuals
THE CONFERENCES THE CANADIANS
In reply to a request OF tho commission to know
what transpircd in the conference Colonel Mcleod CON-
missioner OF the Northwest Territory addressed 10 us
the following letter.
GENrLEaEN--ln answer TO your note | beg leave to
inform you thar, after the interview of the Bommis.
sioners with the Indians, had talk with tho latter
cDdeavored 10 impress upon them the importance OF
the answer they had just made; that, although some
OF tho speakers TO tho COMMISSIONERS had claimed TO
be British Indians. We denied the claim. and hat the
Queens government looked upon them as American
Indians who had taken refuge in our country from thor
enemies pointed out 10 them that their only hope
was the buffalo; that II would not be many years be-
tore that source Of supply would cease and that they
could oxpcct nothing whatever from the Queen gov
crnmcnt except protection SO long US sthey behaved
themselves. warned them that their DECISION not
only affected themselves but their children and that
they should thlnkswc over It before it was too late
Told them they must not the line with hostile
INTENT that II they did they would only have the
Americans lor their cncnles but also the police and
the Brush government, and urged upon tnem 10
carry my words TO their camps to lell all their young
men what had SAID and warn them OF the consc-
Qucnces OF disoDedienco, pointing out to them that
lew indscreet young warriors might involve them all
IN most serious trouble.
lhey unanimously adhered 10 the answer they had
given the Commissioners and promised 10 observe
what had tod them. DO not think there need DO
the least anxiety about any OF these Indians crossing
tho line; at any rate not Tor some timo 70 come In
JAMES +. MCLEOD,
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding y. w. ". r.
ALFRED II. FERRY, ro,,a,.
A. q. LAWRENCE, s'oue1"
SECRETARY scnuz's INSTRUCTIONS
The letter OF instruction to the Conn mission drawn
by Secretary Schurz the following passages
which, taken IN connection with tho foregoing tco-
gram, show that the action OF Sitting Bun was not u
surprise 10 she government. ana that the principal
purpose OF tho mission has actually been atta,nod:
II Is the object OF your mission under al tho
suggestion OF the government OF tho Dominion, TO
ascertain what danger there may be ot hostile In
curs,ons on the part VI sitting Bu and the bands under
his command upon the territory of The United states
and, ifposslble 10 effect auch arrangements not
acceptable 10 tho DOMINION, may be best calculated
TO avert that danger.
After rccting the circumstances under which these
actively hostile Indians pursued oy the United States
military forces, sought refuge where troops could
not follow them without violating The territory OF q
friendly power tho letter OF instructions contin
IL IS reported, and tncrc is good reason Tor be.
that these Indians have avaled themselves oi
tho security thus enjoycd to repcnsh their stock oil
ammunitIon ana thus to enable themselves resume
Their hOsttlities against the United States
soon they nut II convenient 10 do
According 10 all recognized principles Of
international law every government is bound to pro-
tcct tho territory of u ncighborlns friendly State
against acts OF armed hostility on the refugees
VINO Tor their protection from pursuit have the
frontier. While the government OF Great Britain will
be mindful OF this obligation the President rec
oenizcs the difficulties which IN dealing wiih savage
population may attend its ulmcnt, and he is there
willing TO do all in his power prevent any IN.
terrupt0ns OF the relations OF good an
to avert disturbance Of tho peace OF the border even
TO the extent OF entering into COMMUNICATION with an
Indian chief who occupies the position Of a fugitive
enemy and criminal.
Therefore tho commission wore directed IN tho
fellow chiefs that they would be permitted peaceably
return TO the Unod States aud occupy such rcscr
vatons as might ue assigned them, upon condition Of
surrendenng their arms and ammunition, horses and
ponies The letter further says
In case tho Indians refuse 10 return 10 the United
States upon such terms you will then break oil all
Great Britain Will no doubt take such measures as
be necessary to protect the territory OF the United
states against hostile invasions
AN END OF Tng NATTER.
This result, oil course ends the matter and Is 70.
garded here satisfactory ending. Tho dispatches
will be laid before the Cabinet In the course but
sioners necessity therefor