Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-12-24
THE SIOUX AGREEMENT.
A Communicates from tn. Agent Of tn
Largest Band In the Sioux Nation.

For the purpose Of refuting the charges
against the Indian commission, Major
McGillycuddy. agent Of the Red Cloud
Indians, has written the following letter
to Secretary Teller:
Pine Ridge Agency. OAK, December
10th, lSs3-Hon. J. II. Teller-Dear Sir:
In compliance with your request for Q
further statement as to the manner in
which the negotiations for the treaty or
agreement was conducted BY the Sioux
commission. I would report:
1st. That in none of the councils, con.
erences or talks with the Indians, indi.
viduslly or collectively, at which 1 was
present, was there any attempt at "bull.
DOING" or coercion by threats or other.
wise. by any member of the commission
or myself, to induce Indians to sign said
agreement, neither were there any re.
ports made to me from any source that
such means were adopted at such coun.
cils or talks where 1 was not present
On the contrary, I am thoroughly sat.
isfed from the reports of the Indian po-
lice and from special investigation made
by me, that runners or messengers were
being constantly sent through the vii.
lagos and camps by Red Cloud and other
representatives of tho irreconcllable,
barbarous and non progressive element,
informing and threatening the Indians
that such as signed the agreement would
forfeit rations and annuities, be deprived
of their lands in Dakota, and be taken
by the military to the Indian territory.
In the light of these facts, the "bulldoz
ing" reports form most interesting and
comical phase of this affair.
It's true, however, that I as agent,
and l presume members of the commits
sion, cautioned and advised these indians
that unless they materially changed their
habits, made use of their land, learned
to labor, and adopted civilized pursuits
to enable them to eventually rise out of
their present nou-productive and pauper-
lied condition, the time would come
when the government would tire Of send.
ing rations and other supplies in the
present lavish manner, and in such event
being to certain extent thrown on their
own resources, they would suffer for
want of food and clothing.
Also that holding their reservation in
common, they would in the future az
they had in the past, lose it by piecemeal,
and POLITICALLY speaking, be forced sooner
or later, to seek homes elsewhere than in
the "Land of the Dakotas."
l think that any one practically con-
versant with the history of the Sioux,
and other tribes, will bear me out in this.
How many of tho once powerful, but
now weaker tribes, are fed and supplied
in the abundant manner of the Sioux
How many of the Indian tribes now live
on their original lands?
If giving advice of this kind is to be
considered "bulldozing" or threatening.
then my advice to successors would be
to follow in the steps of my "illustrioue
predecessor" i. e. sit in their easy chairs
content themselves with dishing out ra.
tions as the national poormaster for all
time to come, issue qusdruple rations to-
and properly fee the noble squaw-men
to get their influence on new treatie,
and agreements, and draw their Nht
agents) salaries like true patriots.
End. In regard to the understanding
by the Indians Of the agreement al
signed by them the REIMBURSEMENT o
the land not included in that portion o.
the reservation required for the proposed
separate agency reservations, I woult
explain that as far as my knowledge o
the affair goes, I should say that th,
boundaries of the reservation as set asid
for Pine Ridge was fully explained AM
Thoroughly and satisfactorily understoo.
by the Pine Ridge Sioux.
i With several years experience as . tc
biographical engineer in this and othe
portions OF the northwest, CAREFUL
drew on the blackboard in the couuci
rooms. a large map of the reservation
explaining to the Indians by naturs
boundaries, such as streams, hills, etc
the lands set aside for Pine Ridge, an
with the land thus set aside they wer
more than satisfied, for the reason thi
included in the boundaries, was Ian
which they supposed would naturally 6
to the Brule Sioux at Rosebud agenc,
Concerning the relinquishment of
portion of the reserve to the governmen
, it was the understanding with the Il
j dams that they relinquish all claims c
the general reserve, not included in IL
land set aside for Pine Ridge. This VI
so interpreted to them in the council +
! the agency interpreter, but as to VII
:. disposition was to be made of that bu
!. ance, or the amount of the same was e
planned, as far as my knowledge goes, |
Rev. 8. ID. Hinman, commission interpl
ter,who read the agreement in the Slot
language, to the Indian directly from Il
Q manuscript.
|. Not being conversant with the Sio,
b language. l cannot state positive
: whether the In,lians understood I
agreement literally as read to them, b
1 am confident that they we're aware IL
= they we're relinquishing more or Il
!. land to the government, and in all cor
ellis and talka nnon the anhiack of 1