, 1881-01-27

L IL Il IoN Cl1Cs
RECOMMENDATIONS or THE COMMISSIONERS.
WASHINGTON, j. e., Jan. :i-'TlIe COM
mission appointed By tic President to pro-
cccd to the Indian Territory md confer witt,
the pDiscn Indians for the purpose Of ascer-
tai''l,E the facts III regard 10 their r..csnt re-
mosal and present. condition, 10 far as II
Necessary tn determine tho question what
Justice and humanity require should be dolo
by tile United States Government In the
premises, t0-tlay sslblnittcu rcport to the
President, IN which the following concll,-
slo1ls and recommendations arc embodied:
FIRST.
That tho removal Of tho poncH 1nd!ans frnn
tue reservation In Daknta and Nebraska, where
they were living ty vlrtuu of treaties With tic
United StAtca nr fes anu 1867, syna nut only most
unfortunate far tho Indians, resulting II, great
hnrtlshlrs and serious loss Of life ami property,
hut wns .in1udclous and Without sufficient
CAUSE.
SECOND.
Tint tho lands from which tho Toncas had re-
moved had hccT coded and re'tnqutshc,i to thctn
py tho unttud States for atnplc consideration,
spcctud In tho trantcs: that tho Govorutncnt
cGvetlnnted not only to vibrant mud defend
thclr title TO thFsp Innte, but to protect ticr
persons And PROPERTY thereon: TINT tho Indians
Ind viuIatcd no condition ot the treaty by which
-
hnd licun forfeited. and that ihfs rghtfns claim
still exists in full force md effect. nutwtth-
sea1tdtsR nil nets dOnn by tho Government Of tho
United Statcs.
r1Ilnn.
Thnt. up to Within lew months OF tho rrcs-
cNt tifHu. they hayo manifested n lcsle to re.
turn to their reservation In Uakotu, and por-
tton Of theln auccGedrd IN getting bnck. Thu re-
1Nander of tho tribe wero grc.tiy discouraged
In thofr cfIorts to return, and NJ they ttunlly
t!espasrea of rcgainlug tho!r rights under be-
iuf TINT tho Government would mt regard their
title To the land In Dnkota rs valid, md that
tltoy cosiid obtatll stlongorttIo to the land In
tho Intllnn Territory, as well nd other prominent
considerations. they decided to accept tho best
terms they cnnll ot,snfn. Thclr Chief aud head
men agreed to remain IN that Territory. Hav-
irK once committed themselves In writing to
tht cuurec. they regarded their notion Ns sueret1
80 fur ~ they wcro concerned, md tho mnJurt-
ty Of ttsulr people Mcalutcsccl md Endorsed tho
action OF tlor hoAu men.
FOURTH.
Tint tho Indians who liave returned to their
reservation In Dakota huvc tho strongest ut
tachnlellt Ia tAUir lAt.ls And rcsoLute purpose
to rutatn tiom. They hnvo received no nssIst-
nnce from thu Government. and, Except tho ltn-
Ifct aid furnished By benevolent ppopIe, thcy
hnyc been ENTIRELY Eelf-sustatning. With fuw
agricultural implements thoy hnyo cultivated Il
considerable frnet ut land fur their support,
THEY aru iii friendly terms With nil othor 1riiat,
tftbcs 'nclttt'ng rue Sioux. ns well nj tho white
shttlers III tho!r vicinity. They Friy they may
MT again pc disturbed, anu ask for tcacher t0
aia al'd Instruct tho'n tn tic arts Of industry,
anu Tor y minister TO tonch then tho principles
ot morality and religion.
IN THE SETTLEMENT or THE rl,oBT.EM
presented by th!H state OF nIatra. tho Commission
believe tho Government should bo controlled by
II principle tint would be applicable to my
rcaconblu poop!o III tho sams circumstances, md
not only tho welfMro or tho rottcn Indint,s, but
tho future influence and authority Of tho Gov-
crnsnent over uthor tribes fwho arc better In
formed than Eoncr1.y supposed concerning tho
circumstances Of tho Poncas> dunand that thoro
should te nmpIo md speedy redress Of their