OCR Text |
Show I REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XXXV special agentb,visit the hostile camp, with an escort furnished by Ouray, to demand the surrender of the captive women and children, the mur-derers of the employ&, and those engaged in the attack on Major Thorn-burgh. Daring these negotiations the troops were instrncted by the War Department to proceed no farther than the White River Agency and to remain there until further orders. General Adams was well treated by the hostiles, and after a long and stormy council the captives were dylivered to him without conditions, and 'on the 21st of October they arrived at Ouray's house, where every possible arrangement for their comfort had been made by himself and wife. On his return from Gen-eral Merritt7s camp two more visits were made by General Adams to the hostile camp to demand the surrender of the guilty parties, and on the 29th of October he reported that the Indians appeared willing to hare the guilty punished, and recommended that a commission be appointed to make an investigation, Ouray being in favor of the plan and ag~eeing to have the White River Utes in attendance. Meantime the department had already sent to General Adams the. ultimatum which was to be offered the White River Utes, viz: that they remove their camp temporarily to the neighborbood of Los Pinos j that a commission consisting of BrevetMajor.Genera1 Hateh, General Adams, and Ouray meet at Los Pinos as soon as possible, to take testimony to ascertaii the guilty parties--the guiltmpya rties 80 ascertained to be dealt with as white men would heunder like circumstauoes; and that the mis-chievous element in the White River band he disarmed. This was aocepted by the White River Ute8, and on the 10th of No-vember twenty of their chiefs and headmen, inobedience to Ouragls order, came to his house tomeet General Adams. The others, whose camp was ' located 50 miles distant on the Gunnison River, were expected soon. Latest advices are that the commission is now organized, and that Johnson, Douglas, and Sawamick are giving testimony. The testi-mony of officers who were engagedin the battle at Milk Creek, and the testimony of the, captive women will also be given before thia commis- .sion. Every effort toarrive at all the facts and to mete out exact justice will be made. Troops are stationed at Fort Garland in the south as well as at White River Agency in the north, ready for prompt action in the event of the possible failure of the commission. The atrocity of the crimes committed should not prevent those indi-vidnals who are innooent from being treated as anoh, amording to mti-cle 17 of the treaty,.viz: Pmded, That if any chief of eitherof the oonfedernted bands make wmsgainst the people of the United States, or in any manner violate this treaty in any essential part, said chief ahall forfeit his paa~tionas obief and all righm to any of the benefim of this treaty : Bat, ponidedfwthm: Any Indian of either of these confederated bmdn who sball remain at peace and abide by ?he terms of this treaty in all ita essentials, shU be entitled to its benefits and provisions, notwithatanding his partionlar cbief and hand have forfeited their rights thereto. The semices thus far. rendered by Ouray have been of inestimable value, and while the White River Utes have shown the very wor& |