The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-10-11
The Red Man ut Washington.

At the third and final conference with the
noble red men of the forest at the Execu-
tive mansion, the Indians were in citizens
dress. The Presidenthaving remarked that
he was ready to hear what further his
friends had to say, Spotted Tail took a seat
at his side, and informed the President that
he had decided to have his agency on
Wounded Knee Creek, and he wanted his
provisions and clothing sent there. He
wanted his Great Father to agree to this.
lie said: ave don't want to move Just
now. We want some time to sell what
property we have at our present homes.
We will move in the spring, or any time af-
ter that. We want our provisions removed
to the agency | have named. You told us
your nation increases. We want to in
crease, too, in property and in numbers.
You said you wished us to live like white
men, and so We are here to-day, dressed in
white mems clothes. l want better
kinds of cattle. Whites have short
horns. want every thing in writing
before l 60 home, so there will be
no mistake. We want teachers of English.
We want Catholic priests to teach us. We
should like to have a saw and grist mill and
agricultural implements and seeds. We
want five or six stores. Then we could buy
cheaper at one than at another. lam very
well dressed, and SO are the others. They
want forty dollars apiece to buy things for
their women and children. They would like
to have a trunk apiece to carry their clothes
in, as the weather is getting to be a little
cold. We should like to have an overcoat
apiece. We see you wearing overcoats, and
we should like to have them"
Red Cloud next spoke:
He said he had roamed the country where
henow lived for ffty-six years, and would
like to save his agency ON White Clay Creek.
That ground he could not give up.
If tn ey should be sent to the Missouri
River the long tailed rats there would get
into the boxes and destroy them. "If you
were in our country" he said, and look at
our people, water would come into your
eyes. | am poorer than any of them. Army
officers took my horse, and other horses
have been stolen from me and crops de-
stroyed. TIL injury is at least 10000. l
want half of this in money; the remainder
in other things"
The President then addressed the Indians
as follows:
"MY FR1ENDs: am glad to see you this
morning. l am glad to see you dressed like
white people. You look well in your
clothes-like white people. 1t shows that
you wish to look like white people. Ihave
not much to say about the business that
brought you here in addition to what l said
to you last week. You nave spoken about
the places where you wish to nave your
agency. I I'm glad you would be satisfied to
have agencies On the reservations allotted to
you, but as l told you it is too late in the
season to change your present agencies. 1t
is too late to move your supplies to the
places you have named. Winter will soon
come on, the streams will be frozen up, and,
therefore, no movement of supplies can be
made.
ave wish you to help your people to re-
move the supplies, and Gen. Crook will
assist you TO do so. Next spring places can
be selected near the White River that will
suit you. And now as to things you have
asked for. You want trunks, overcoats, and
money. The Great Council of my nation
has put the money and property for you in
charge of the Secretary of the Interior. He
can give you whatever the Great Council
has authorized him to give you, and l think
he can satisfy you. This is the end of our
Great Council. am glad you came. Let
me advise you to nov as near the supplies
as you can, and next spring you can go to
your reservation. lam glad you are satisfied
with the White River. l hope you will
reach your homes safely, and in good health.
Before you go the Secretary will give you
as many of the things you have asked for as
he can. And now will be glad to shake
hands with each one of you and wish you
WELL"
The Indians then shook hands with the
President and the Secretary of the Interior,
appearing satisfied with the remarks of the
President.