| OCR Text |
Show animals. Suddenly, almost without warning, they were expected at once and without previous training to settle down to the pursuits of agriculture in a laud largely unfitted for such use. The freedom of the chase was to be exchanged fop theidleness of thecamp. The boundless range was to he abandoned for the circumscribed reservation, and abundance of plenty to be supplanted by limited and decreasing Gov-ernment subsistence and supplies. Under these circumstances, it is not in human nature noe to be discontented and restless, even turbu-lent and violent. t Third. During a long series of years treaties, agreements, cessions of land and privileges, and removals of. bands and agencies have kept many of the Sioux, particularly those at Pine Ridge and Rosebud, in an unsettled condition, especially as some of the promises made them were fulfilled tardily or not at all. (A brief history of negotiations with the Sioux was given in my letter of December 24,1890, to the Department, which will be found in the Appeudix, page 183.) Fourth. The very large reduction of the Great 8ioux Reservation, brought about by the Sioux Commission through the consent of the large majority of the adult males, wax bitterly opposed by a large, influential minority. For various reasons they regarded the cession as unwise, and did all ir~ their power to prevent its consummation and afterward were constant in their expressions of dissatisfaction and in their endeavors to awaken a like feelillg in the minds of those who signed the agreement. Fifth. There was di~ninutiona nd partial failure of the crops for 1889 by reason of their neglect by the Indians, who were congregated in large numberg at the council with the Sioux Commission, and a fnrther diminution of ordinary crops by the drought of 1890. Also, in 1888 the disease of black-leg appeared among the cattle of the Indians. Sixth. At this time, by delayed and reduced appropriations, the 8ionx rations were tamporarilycat down. Rations were not diminished to such an extent as fo bring the Indians to starvation or even extreme suffering, as has been often reported ; but short ratiorrs oa~neju st after the Sioux Commission had negotiated the agreement for the cession of lands, aud as a condition of securing the ~ignatures0 7 the majority, had assured the Indians that their rations would be continued un-changed. To this matter the Sioux Commissio~c~al led special attelltion in tbeir report dated December 24, 1889, as followa: Durin:: our conference at t,he different ageuciea we were repeatedly asked whether the acceptance or rejection of t,lle act of Congress would influence the action of the Government with refarcace to their rations, and in every inatanoe the Indians were assured that snbsisteoce was furnished in acoordsooe with farmer treaties, and that signing would not affect. their retians, and that they \vdnld aoutiuoe to receive them as provided in former treaties. Withoot our assurances to thie effect it would hare been imporsible to heve secnred their consent to the cession of their lauds. Since ourvisittotheageooiesit appears tbstlarge reductions have bean made inthe amounts of beef furnished for issues, amounting at Roaebnd tn Z,000,000 pounds and ?t Pine |
