Year: 1875

visit them at their respective agencies and procure
such interviews as may be possible with the roaming
Indians and lay definitely before them all the wishes Of
the government, and their own necessities and inter
involved in the question OF the desired cession
and invite the Indians at their agencies TO send
representative TO a general council, TO be
held at as early day as practicable which
general council all the members OF the commission
are expected 10 attend In negotiating with these
ignorant and almost helpless people you will keep in
mind the fact that you represent them and their in
terests not less than those OF the government and
commissioned to the best interests
OF both parties so far as practicable. Great care
should be taken in interviews not only TO secure
proper and exact interpretations Of the communications
passing between you but also TO satisfy the lndIans
that their words are fairly conveyed in English. Rev
S. d. Hinman, member OF your commission, Is en-
trey competent to give rendering both OF the
English and of the Sioux Il will be well also in every
employ the services Of such interpreter as the
Indians select so as TO secure between the SER
vices of the two not only exactness but the entire con-
ndence OF the Indians.


In presenting this subject to the Indians they should
first OF all be assured of the kindly intentions OF the
President and the toward them they should
If possible be made understand that this effort on
the part OF the government to procure portion OF
their country originated solely in desire for the
continuation OF peace between them and the
whites that since the opinion that gold s to be found
in the Black Hills has prevailed among the people has
been almost impossible TO prevent white persons from
entering their country and that there is no little dan
ger that spite OF all Efforts TO the contrary some eV
disposed persons will break through the line and that
conflict and blood will ensue.


ASSURANCES


You will the Indians that 1t is not the wish Of
the government TO take from them any of their prop
erty rights without returning fair equivalent there
for and that you have come representing their Great
Father, to fix upon an equivalent which shall be Just
both TO them and TO the white people You will be careful
in your negotiations to keep constantly impressed upon
the minds OF the Indians that any agreement en-.
tered into at the Council is to be brought
back to the President and by him to be submitted 10
Congress- for consideration by that body and that until
the contract has received the approval of Congress
cannot be binding upon either party. Respecting the
right of way this should be left to the discretion of the
President the be selected and to
restrictions to be imposed upon parties using the
routes.


The attention of the commission is invited to the
tenth article of the Treaty of 1865 in which provision
is made for an appropriation for clothing and other ben
of the treaty and also for subsistence of meat and
-four for period of four years This latter provision
Sioux nation dependent for the necessaries of
life upon the annual charity of Congress. The
appropriation for the last few years for this purpose of
subsistence varies from 900 to $500, 900
ally and If IL should be denied by Congress any of the
annual appropriation bills these Indians must be lett
to great hardships and to hunger, verging
upon starvation unless they attempt to sup
ply their wants by maraudlng upon the
settlers which attempt would inevitably lead a con-
lict with the military This difference as to the length
of time in which provision is made i'll their treaty for
clothing and subsistence had not been well understood
by them until the late visits OF the delegations TO this
city, when they assured of the facts by the Pres
dent, and seem to accept them as such.


THE BEST INTERESTS


of these Indians will require that any compensation
made to them shall include this provision for subsist
in some form and that in no should IL take
the form of cash annuity but so tar as it shall be
possible to gain their consent shall be left in the dis
creon of the President be used for their comfort
and civilization and the education of their
children; and they should agree in accepting
this provision to allow their children DO
educated. The safest investment of any funds
for them will be in United States coupon bonds.
The outlook for the tribe is by encouraging
They cannot live by the chase; they cannot be sup
ported in ideness by the government They must be-
gin learn to live by herdng by agriculture
or both For this and the education of their children
they need help and whatever expenditures the govern
their benefit just in proportion the mode of its app-
cation corresponds with their actual necessities.


The Commission will make full report of their doings
and the results OF their negotiations with the Indians
and submit for the consideration of the department.
such recommendations upon the subject treated by
them as they may deem best


Hon. w. b. Allison has been selected chairman of
the Commission and j. s. Collins has been appointed
secretary. Messrs HERMAN, Comingo and Ashley have
been requested to undertake the preliminary work of
visiting the Indians their respective agencies in
order lay the matter OF the negotiation before hem
and invite them TO send delegates TO the Grand Coun
Gil y


Such members of the Commission as under pay
in other service of the government will be entitled
receive their necessary and actual travelling expenses
Other members will receive in addition to the above
compensation of $S per diem, while actually duty


Your is called to circular letter Of the honor
department circular of July 49, 1874 or information as
to requirements in settling your account for expenses.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDW. f. SMITH, Commissioner.
Hon. W. B. ALLISON, Dubuque, Iowa; Bishop L. r
AMEs and others.