OCR Text |
Show 14 REPORT OP THE BOARD OP INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. I ara also of the opinion that the annuity goods now on the way should be stored at Cheyenne until further developments result from the council about the 30fch. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, FELIX R. BRUNOT, Chairman, < fc. Hon. C. DELANO. Report of a council held at Fort Laramie, Wyoming Territory, June 12, 187L A grand council of all the Indian chiefs now about .. Port Laramie, and within reach of messengers, was held in the building known as the Theater, this day at 12 ra., that they might meet Mr. Brunot, of the Board of Indian Commissioners. There were present Mr. Brunot, General John E. Smith, commandant of the post, Mr. Wham, Indian agent, the officers aud ladies of the post, and the following Indian chiefs: Red Cloud, Red Dog, Sword, Long Wolf, The son of Man- afraid- of- his- horses, Quick Bear, Cold Pace, Bran Bear, High Wolf, Pull Wolf, Setting Bear, Red Plume, Little Cloud, Spider, Pire Thunder, Big Crow, Pretty Crow, Big Foot, Little Wound, Pumpkin Seed, Yellow Beard, Rocky Bear, Bad Wound, Bear Robe, Quick Eagle, Two Buffaloes, Corn Man, White Eyes, Milk Spotted Horse, Red Leaf, Brave Grass, Buffalo Shed- his- hair, Red Buffalo, and many braves. General Smith announced that Mr. Brunot would speak to the Great Spirit before the council began. Mr. Brunot offered a prayer. By request of Red Cloud, Great Bear then talked with the Great Spirit, after which Red Cloud said : I wish to speak first. Mr. BRUNOT. We will be glad to hear you. RED CLOUD. I wish Louis Richard aud Joseph Bissenet to interpret for me. [ He then said:] lam Red Cloud. The Great Spirit raised both the white man and the Indian. I think He raised the Indian first. He raised me in this land arid it belongs to me. The white man was raised over the great waters, and his laud is over there. Since they crossed the sea, I have given them room. There are now white people all about me. I have but a small spot of land left. The Great Spirit told me to keep it. I wont and told the Great Father so. Since I came back, I have nothing more to say. 1 told all to the Great Father. I was to tell all the Great Father said to my nation. I told them all of it. Whatever I do, my people will do the same. Whatever the Great Spirit tells me to do I will do. I have not yet done what the Great Father told me to do. God raised us Indians. We are two nations. Whatever we decide to do, we want to do together. I must ask you to wait. 1 am trying to live peaceably. I told the Great Father so. When I went to him I asked no annuity goods; all I asked was for my lands the little spot I have left. If you have any goods to give, I want you to wait awhile. I will then tell you what to do with them'. Between here and the rail-road is much land. I have not been paid for it. I want to think of it. General SMITH. Much that Red Cloud has said is true. He and those who were with him East last summer saw a great many white people. They are, as he knows, like the leaves of the trees, or the blades of grass on the prairie, in number. Their game is increasing, whilo the game of the red man is decreasing. It is not worth while to talk of the past. The white man wants the red man to meet him in council and decide what can be done for their good. Those who went to Washington last summer know that the Great Father has many children to see. They come from the East, and the West, and the North, and the South, and even from over the great water to see him. The Great Father cannot see to everything himself; he must have many to assist him. The Great Father's heart is good toward the red man. The Great Father knew that the red man was abused and cheated, and so he selected good men, whose hearts are good, to come among them and see that their agents do right with them. These are good men, and do not receive any pay for coining among you. One of these men is here now. Mr. Brunot has come to " see that all is good with you. You know that I have always been your friend. I told you that the Great Father, knowing that many bad white men would come in, selling whisky and getting the Indians' guns and ponies, and that the longer they remained here the worse it would be getting, wanted them to go farther away to the north, where bad men would not get to them. I told you that we could not give any rations here but fora short time longer, and that I wanted you to select a place for youragencj 1 ', where the goods now being brought can be sent. You told me you would see your people in council and select a place for your agency. When I was East I told the Great Father that your hearts were good and that you were now in council here to decide where your'agency should be located. The Great Father's heart was glad, and he sent his messenger here to hear your words. A large quantity of supplies has been bought, and will be sent to you as soon as you decide where they shall go to. There is now but a short time in which to erect the necessary buildings for your agency. You should select the place at once, so that your |