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Show REPORT OF THE BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. 13 Above a'l, we desire to return thanks to God for having permitted us to see so much good resulting from comparatively so humble efforts. Kespactfully submitted. FELIX E. BBUNOT, Pittsburgh, Pa., Chairman, EGBERT CAMPBELL, St. Louis. NATHAN BISHGP, New York. WILLIAM E. DODGE, New York. JGHN V. FARWELL, Chicago. GEGEGE H. STUART, Philadelphia. EDWARD S. TGBEY, Boston. JOHN IX LANG, Me. VINCENT COLYER, New York, Secretary. The PRESIDENT. A a. Report of a visit to Red Cloud and chiefs of the Ogallala Sioux, by Commissioner Felix R. Brunot. FORT LARAMIE, WYOMING TERRITORY, June .14, 1871. SIR : In further reply to the letter of the Secretary of the Interior of the 19th instant, requesting that some of onr board should visit the Ogallala Sioux under Red Cloud for the purpose therein stated, I have the honor to report that I arrived at this post on the evening of the 9th instant, and met Red Cloud and a number of the principal chiefs and braves on Monday, 12th, in council. Red Cloud did not seem disposed to select a place in the reservation for the agency, but wanted time to consider the subject and consult with those of his people who were absent. He subsequently accepted the situation said lie was in favor of doing what we desire, but that he dared not to name a place for the agency without consultation with all the other chiefs, and especially some of the wilder ones who were not present. He said he would go and call them together and urge them to name a place in their own country for the agency he thought he would succeed in. convincing them that it was best to do so and whatever decision was arrived at, he would return as soon as possible and communicate it to General Smith and Agent Wham. He could not be induced to name a specific time for his return, but will return as soon as they can come together and arrive at a decision in regard to the place. He was told that in fifteen days another council would beheld, when he would be expected to be present and prepared to designate a place; that if he did not come, the other chief's would be asked to name a place. On the morning of the 14th the other chiefs present at the council called to tell me that Red Cloud had gone to consult those who were absent, and they would wait fifteen days, and then, if he did not name the place, they would fix it themselves and go there. They said they thought White River the best place. The principal men among them were " Man- afraid- of- his- horses," " Red Dog," " American Horse," and others. My impression is that Red Cloud will return and a proper place will be selected with con-sent of all, or nearly all, the Indians. . Red Cloud will undoubtedly prefer, and will no doubt propose, some point immedi-ately upon the Platte River, and there are traders and half- breeds who are anxious to bring about consent to such a selection, but I do not think either the welfare of the Indians or the permanency of peace would be secured by yielding to the demand. It is impos-sible to keep whisky away from them if located anywhere upon the river, and unless its use, and the presence among them of the lawless class of men who provide it, can be prevented, no measures for the civilization of the Indians can be effectual. Even in the military reservation of Fort Laramie, and in spite of the efforts of Genera) Smith and the agent to prevent the sale of whisky to them, Indians are frequently found to be intoxicated, and there is constant danger of affrays which may culminate in a serious outbreak as the result. Accompanying this is a full report of the council and conversation of the Indians by Mr. T. K. Cree, to which you are respectfully referred. You will observe that General Smith indicated to them the design to cease issuing rations at Fort Luramie. I think the experiment might be tried as an additional inducement for an early location for the agency in their own country. |