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Show REPORT OF THE BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. 17 RED CLOUD. This is the last time I will come here. I am going to leave now, and will conic back again in the fall. General SMITH. Very well. I want yon all to remember that what I say is the truth, and after next moon no more rations will be given here to anybody; and for this reason we want yon to decide now where you will have your agency. If you don't, and your women and children are hungry, it is your own fault. Mr. BIUTNOT. I am sorry there should be any chance of the women and children being hu: < zry, and the Great Father, who has plenty, not feeding them. But he knows it is bad for you to remain along the river, and he has promised you ammunition and guns, but will only give them to you in your own country. It is easy for you to say, we will put our agency over beyond the Rawhide Buttes, and the goods will come. The In-dians yon wish can come and trade there, and good men will come for teachers, black-smiths, carpenters, and farmers ; and if after a while you do not like it you can come and tell the Great Father. I will only stay a few days, but I want to go away with a good heart, and tell the Great Father what will make his heart glad. We have talked a great deal, and I will say no more to- day, except that our hearts are good, and we are friends. If any other chiefs wish to talk, and Red Cloud desires it, we will hear them. The council here broke up and Red Cloud came forward, when the following conver-sation took place: Mr. BRUNOT. Have you anything more to say? RED CLOUD. I came a long way and cannot stay here. I have sent for the Black Twin and all the Ogallala, and we will go to our camp and hold a council. I am will-ing to go over the river, but want all the rest to agree to it. Mr. BRUNOT. Why did you not say so in the council? RED CLOUD. I was afraid to say so, but the rest will come to it. Mr. BRUNOT. How soon will the others be here? RED CLOUD. I cannot promise how soon. Mr. BRUNOT. How soon can you see them ? RKD CLOUD. I want all to go away with me, and it will be eight or ten days before all can get together. Mr. BHUXOT. Would it not be better for all to come here? RED CLOUD. We want to decide at our village and then come back here. Mr. BRUNOT. Do all your chiefs agree to that, and will they all come back here? RED CLOUD. We will come together and decide, and come here again. Mr. BRUNOT. Won't you tell those that are here what you want to do ? RED CLOUD. I want to see the Black Twin first ; he is now on his way here. THOS. K. CREE, Clerk. FORT LARAMIE, June 12, 1871. The following conversation occurred at General Smith's headquarters after th council, none of the Indians being present except Red Cloud: RED CLOUD. There are twenty- nine councilmen of the Unkapapa, and twenty- sir of the Ogallalas. I am here alone to- day, away from my council- men ; that is why I could not name a place for my agency. We are alone, and I want to talk straight. I cannot do it myself; I must consult my council- men, and what they decide we will do. I think they will listen to me, and what I say they will do. I am going to my camp now, and I will seudforthe Black Twin and the Charging Shield, i will gat all together. 1 do not hide anything from you. I tell you straight. General SMITH. Was not all the baud'in while I was away? RED CLOUD. The Black Twin was not in. Red Dog came in with me, but traded as quickly as possible, and went away. These people are wild, like the antelope. We Wwaentwitllhemmeetto ocnomteheinChaenydeenanteoRfitvheer. whiItewilmlang'est ftohoed, maennd otfhesyenwsiel, l acnodmewiblalcktrayg* aainnd. decide where to put the post. My friend, take pity on me, if you would have me live long. If any goods are coming have them stop, and when I see these men we will de-cide yes or no. All you have told me to- day is good. I will tell it to my people ; some-times we talk three or four days. I let them talk; when they do not . decide right, I tell them to talk on till they get right. The Unkapapas have nothing to do witlAhis; they belong on the Mo River. Tins is for th:^ Ogallala. Tke Cheyenne and Arapa-hoe. s are like lost children, they will agree with me at any timo. Soina of my people are very short- sighted ; I look away ahead, Mr. BRUNOT. You want to go and select a place over the river yourself. RED CLOUD. That is what 1 want. I waut to go over on the other side myself, and want to tell the others so. When you asked me to cross the river last fall L told iny 2ic |