The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-26
Canada Will Receive the Maraudinp
Crees Who Have Annoyed
Montanians.
The War Department. Will Have
Them Escorted to the Boun-
dairy Line.
Tho Mounted Police to Take The,n to
Their Home In the Northwest
Territories

After months of time and the exchange
OF many diplomatic notes between Score
taro Blaine and Sir Julian Pauncefots, the
Canadian government has decided to take
back the band of Cfees. who have been a
source Of annoyance in Montana for some-
time. Governor Toole has been untiring
In his efforts to accomplish this eanlt. Ho
makes public tho correspondence relative
to the Crees. Last February the governor
again called the attention of the state de-
partment to the matter, saying that the In
dians were regarded as outlaws and con-
stant source of annoyance to women and
childron in sparsely settled communities;
that they have no visible means of support,
and the belief is general that they plum
dered people in the winter and returned to
the northwest territories in the spring. The
governor also assured the department that
it was not an exceptional occurrence, but 1
series of systematic depredations for years,
and that members of the rowing band were
in four counties of the state at the time he
wrote.
Secretary Blaine under date of April 10.
replied to the governor, transmitting copies
of a note from Sir Julian Pauncefote. the
British minister at Washington, and Of an
approved minute of tho privy council Of
Canada. The secretary says it appears
from this that the Canadian authorities are
prepared to take back the Indians belong
ing to Canada upon their being taken to
the border by the United States authorities
for that purpose. Copies of the British
minister's note have been sent by Secretary
Blaine to the secretary of war and the
secretary Of the interior with the suggestion
thar instructions be given to the proper
officers to cooperate with the state authori-
ties. The following enclosures were with
Secretary Blaine's note to Gov. Toole:
British Legation, Washington, April 6,
1892. The HONORABLE JamesG. Blaine, Sec
rstary Of State. Sir: With reference to my
note of ths Both of January last, respecting
the case of certain Cree Indians who are
stated to have wandered from the North
| West Territories of Canada into Montana,
| l have the honour to enclose herewith q
copy of an approved inmate of the Privy
Council of Canada, embodyinR report on
the subject by the Canadian Superintendent
General OF Indian affairs which has been
of Canada for communication to you. |
have the honour etc., Julian tPauncsfote.o
"Privy Council, Canada certified copy of
Il committee of the Honourable the Privy
CouRoil. approved by His E1cellency the
Governor General in Council, on the Goth
March, 1892. The Committee of the Privy
Council have had under consideration a
dispatch dated 28th January, 1899, from
Her Ma jesty's Minister at Washington, en-
closing q copy of \ note dated 26th January.
| 1892, received frem ths United States gov
ernmsnt on the subject of certain Cree
Indians who are stated to have wandered
ACROSS tho boundary line from the North
West Territory of Canada into Montana.
1.-THE Superintendent General of Indian
affairs to whom the despatch was referred
| states that copy of the dispatch and en-
closures were forwarded to the Indian COM
missioner for Manitoba and the Northwest
| territories for his report on the statements
made thoreiu, and letter dated the 18th
of March instant, has been received from
that Office in which he states that, with the
exception Of few Indians Who go for the
purpose Of visiting their friends in the
| United States and returning nothing ID
known of Cree Indians having gone across
| the line since refugees went over after the
halfbgssd and Indian troubles in the
| Northwest in 1886.
The Indian commissioner suggests the
possibility of refugee French halfbreeds
| having been confounded with Cree Indians.
THE Minister states further with regard
| to the suggestion made by MIR. Blaine in
his letter that the Canadian authorities
should co-ope,ate with those OF the United
| States IN proper measures Tor tne removal
| of the Indians III question from the terri
| tory of that government, that there would
seem to be no objection, upon the depart-
ment of Indian affairs ueing advised of the
tine and place Il. which any Indians be-
longing to Canads, WHO have been guilty Of
marauding in the United States territory,
would be brought to the boundary line, to
instructions being sent to the officers of the
Northwest mounted police to despatch
detachment of police to the point for the
purpose of taking over from the military of
| the United States the Indians or 80 much
| of them as belong to Canada.
| fIhe committee ccucurring in the above
| serort, recommend that YOUR Excellenoy be
moved to forward copy hereof to her
Majesty's Minister at Washington. All of
which s respectfully submitted for your
Excellency's approval. John j. McGee.
clerk of the rrivy council.o