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Show I I QEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. LIX finally surrendered to General Hatch, commanding the military district of Oklahoma, and nnder escort of the troops were marched back to the Kansas line, and recrossed to Arkansas City. HereCoucb and some oi the more protninent men were arrested on Federal warrants issued un-der section 6334 of the Revised Statutes, and taken to Wichita, .Kans., where, on March 5, they were placed nnder heavy 6onds to appear in the United States court (which subsequently adjourned to se~tember) to answer to a charge of unlawfully engaging in rebellion or insurrec-tion against the authority of the United States. In the mean time the subject had largely engaged the attention of Congress, and by section 8 of the Indian appropriation act, approved March 3,1885 (23 Stats, at Large, p. 384), the President was "authorized to open negotiations with the Creeks, Seminoles, and Cherokees forthe purpose of opening to settlement under the homestead laws the onas-signed lands in said Indian Territory ceded by them respectively to the United States by the several treaties of August eleventh, eighteen hundred and ~ixty-sixM, arch twentyfirst, eighteen hundred and sixty-six, and Jnly nineteenth, eighteen hundred and kixtysix; and for that purpose the sum of five thousand dollars, or so much thereof aamay be necessary, be, and the same ishereby, appropriated oat of my m6ney in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated; his action herenuder to be reported to Congress." Notwithstanding this legislation the colonists still maintained a defi-ant att,itnde in camp at Arkansds City, and threatened to re.enter the Territory in largely inbreased numbers at an early date. An impres-sion seemed to prevail amongst them that the proclamation issued by President Arthur, July Ist, and his snbsequent order of Jnly 31,1884, directing the employment of the military in enforcing t,he same, had be-come inoperative with the close of his administration. To counteract this idea, the President, on the 13th March last, issued a proclamation (which will befoi~ndh erewith, page 283), substantially to the sameeffect as those of his predecessors, declaring the determination of the Gov-ernment to maintain the integrity of the treaties entered into with the Indian tribes, and to enforce obedience to the law8 of the United States. The inimediate effect of this proclamation, as reported by the oom- . manding general, was to reduce the numbers of the Conch colony, many of whom quietly dispersed and returned to their homes. Alarge num-ber, however, estimated 8t from six to eight hnndred men, all well armed, still remained in camp, who openly avowed their intention to disregard the proclamation and force their way into the Territory. Meetings of the colonists were held, and msolutions passed expressive of their surprise and dissatisfaction at the course taken by the Qovern-meut, and demanding of the President an explanation of the laws and treaties governing the Oklahoma lands under which it was -claimed they werestill Indian lands. A delegation in behalf of the colonists waited on -the President and Secretary of the Interior, with a view to |