The Arapahoes are at a great distance (nearly seven hundred miles) from here, on the Big Horn and Yellowstone, and cannot be communicated with until spring. If they should continue to be hostile, the aid of the Sioux can be obtained next summer to chastise them. Among the many advantages which would attend a peace with all the Indians on the great overland route may be mentioned, first, the security of life and property in travelling and freighting from the Missouri river to the mines of Idaho and Montana, and I am informed that the travel next spring will be very great, with a proportionally large amount of freighting second, the facilities offered for further exploration and development of the country; third, the security of the telegraph and mail coaches; fourth, the immense saving in expense in the reduction of the military force to a few posts, instead of moving expeditions, which are very costly and rarely effective. It is, however, unnecessary to enlarge upon the self-evident fact that peace properly secured, as I feel it can be, is the best possible policy. My report has reached a greater length than I intended, for which my apology is that I felt it my duty to keep you fully informed of all that was transpiring relative to the people under your care. It gives me pleasure to say that in Mr. Jarrot I find a very capable and agreeable gentleman, and all our views and plans harmonize perfectly. As this is a subject in which I have taken great interest, I shall be most happy to receive any instructions you may have to give me and to execute them to the best of my ability. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. D. N. COOLEY, HENRY E. MAYNADIER, Colonel Fifth United States Volunteers, Commanding. Commissioner of Indian Affairs. No. 84. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI, St. Louis, Missouri, February 12, 1866. SIR: For reply to your letter of the 22d ultimo, I have to suggest that Fort Laramie be the place for making treaty with bands of Sioux, Arapahoes, and Northern Cheyennes, and such other tribes as can be brought in, and that June 30 be the time. Auy presents, goods, &c., that you may think it advisable to send, ought to be at Fort Leavenworth by April 1, or not later than April 10, in order to be sent out in time to reach Laramie by the specified day. I desire to be advised as soon as practicable whether this arrangement will suit your views, in order that I may send runners to all the tribes east of the mountains and south and west of the Missouri river, so that the various tribes may be represented by delegations or entire tribes, as they may elect. Many of the runners sent hitherto to bands of the Sioux, Arapahoes, and Northern Cheyennes have not yet reported; all that have bring favorable reports, and several bands are making their way slowly to Laramie. The snow is very deep and weather severely cold. In relation to commissioners being appointed to treat with these Indians, I have only to suggest that, in my judgment, it will be good policy to place upon the commission, in addition to the proper officers of the Interior Department, the several commanding officers of rank in that region of country, in order to secure harmony of action hereafter between officers of the War and Interior Departments. I would suggest General Dodge, General Wheaton, and Colonel Maynadier. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. J. HARLAN, Secretary of the Interior. JOHN POPE, Major General Commanding. No. 85. [By telegraph from Fort Leavenworth, March 11, 1866.] Major General JNO. P. SHERBURN, A. A. General : Referring to letter of Secretary Harlan and Commissioner Cooley, I do not think it practi cable to get Indians together May 10. They all understand they are to come by June 30. Most of them have gone hunting. The Aarapahoes and Cheyennes, on account of poor stock, cannot get in there before the time named. Taylor, at Omaha, thinks June 30 the best time. Official: Genera! Wheaton says Superintendent These Indians expect presents. G. M. DODGE, Major General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, [Referred by General Pope to the Interior Department.] Assistant Adjutant General. No. 86. HEADQUARTERS WEST SUB-DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA, SIR: I respectfully submit the following report of an occurrence of interest to the Indian bureau, and, as I believe, of great importance in assuring the success of my efforts to make peace: Some days since I received a messenger from Pegaleshka, head chief of the Brulé Sioux, saying that his daughter had died on the way here, and had begged her father to have her grave made with the whites. My consent was asked to permit this to be done. I knew the girl five years ago, then a child of twelve, and at her death about seventeen. She died from exposure and inability to sustain the severe labor and hardship of the wild Indian life. I replied that I would be glad to have Pegaleshka bring his child here, and would give him all the assistance in my power. Yesterday I was informed that he had reached the Platte and would soon be at the fort. Wishing to do him honor as being one of the principal chiefs of the nation, and on account of the peculiar circumstances of his visit, I rode out with several officers and met him half way between the fort and the Platte. After greeting him, I conducted him to the fort and to my headquarters. I then informed him that the Great Father offered peace to the Indians, and desired them to have it for their own benefit and welfare. That, in two or three months, commissioners would come to treat with them and settle everything on a permanent basis of peace and friendship. I sympathized deeply in his affliction, and felt houored by his confidence in committing to my care the remains of a child whom I knew he loved much. The Great Spirit had taken her, and he never did anything except for some good purpose. Everything should be prepared to have her funeral at sunset, and as the sun went down it might remind him of the darkness left in his lodge when his beloved daughter was taken away; but as the sun would surely rise again, so she would rise, and some day we would all meet in the land of the Great Spirit. The chief exhibited deep emotions during my remarks, and tears fell from his eyes, a rare occurrence in an Indian, and for some time he could not speak. After taking my hand he commenced with the following eloquent oration: "This must be a dream for me to be in such a fine room and surrounded by such as you. Have I been asleep during the last four years of hardship and trial and am dreaming that all is to be well again, or is this real? Yes, I see that it is; the beautiful day, the sky blue, without a cloud, the wind calm and still to suit the errand I come on and remind me that you have offered me peace. We think we have been much wronged and are entitled to compensation for the damage and distress caused by making so many roads through our country, and driving off and destroying the buffalo and game. My heart is very sad, and I cannot talk on business; I will wait and see the counsellors the Great Father will send." The scene was one of the most impressive I ever saw, and produced a marked effect upon all the Indians present, and satisfied some who had never before seemed to believe it, that an Indian had a human heart to work on and was not a wild animal. Preparations were then made for the funeral of the chief's daughter. A scaffold was erected at the cemetery and a coffin made. Just before sunset the body was carried to the scaffold, followed by her father and mother and other relatives, with the chaplain, myself, and officers, and many of the soldiers of the garrison, and many Indians. Amid profound silence, and, as I was glad to see, with the most devout and respectful behavior on the part of every white man present, the chaplain delivered a touching and eloquent prayer, which was interpreted by Mr. Gott. I can hardly describe my feelings at witnessing this first Christian burial of an Indian, and one of such consideration in her tribe. The hour, the place, the solemnity, even the restrained weeping of her mother and aunts, all combined to affect any one deeply. I attach great importance to this ceremony as rendering beyond a doubt the success of the efforts I have made to restore peace. It satisfies me of the entire trustiness of Pegaleshka, who is always with Red Cloud, and they two rule the nation. A man of Pegaleshka's intel ligence and shrewdness would never have confided the remains of his child to the care of any one but those with whom he intended to be friends always. The occurrence of such an incident is regarded by the oldest settlers, men of most experience in Indian character, as unprecedented, and as calculated to secure a certain and lasting peace. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. D. N. COOLEY, HENRY A. MAYNADIER, Colonel of the Fifth United States Volunteers, Commanding. Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. No. 87. Report of the commissioners appointed by the President of the United States to treat with the Indians at Fort Laramie. The commissioners appointed by the President of the United States to enter into treaties of peace and friendship with the Indians of the Upper Platte agency all met by appointment at Fort Laramie. It required a considerable time to give such information to the Brulé and Ogalalla bands of Sioux as would be likely to secure a general attendance, they being much scattered at the time of our arrival. In the meanwhile rumors of a discouraging character were in daily circulation of the disinclination of the Indians to give government the desired road to Montana by the way of Powder river. These rumors, on being traced, appeared to have a very doubtful origin, being mainly spread abroad by persons interested in keeping up an agitation for the purpose of keeping freights at high rates. These persons have but little at stake, as they reside in parts of the country not likely to suffer directly from Indian depredations, while they profit largely by magnifying the dangers of travelling to emigrants and freighters, and using these imaginary dangers as an excuse to increase the prices of their wares. On the other hand, these traders and dealers who are immediately among the Indians, and who are always the victims of an outbreak, are unanimously in favor of a peace that shall be lasting and mutually beneficial. They are men who have lived long among the Indians, and their assistance and agency are important and valuable both to the government and the Indians. Although the Indians, as might naturally be expected, were reluctant to allow the proposed road to pass through the best of their remaining hunting grounds, yet when informed of the wishes of the government, and of our disposition to give a liberal equivalent, they acquiesced in our request in a full council, after a full expression of sentiment had taken place on both sides. The only change they suggested to the proposed terms consisted in the request of having their annuity goods distributed semi-annually, that is to say, at a specified time in the spring and fall. This proposition met our decided approval, as we believed it would greatly benefit the Indians. The Cheyennes were represented by some chiefs and head soldiers, who stated that the main village was some distance off and could not come in for a long time. A treaty exactly similar to that made with the Sioux was prepared and read to them, and they signed it, being fully authorized to do so, and guaranteeing that the other chiefs would ratify their action. This treaty was left in the hands of Colonel Maynadier, or other commanding officer, for the signature of the absent when they shall arrive, with the condition that it is to be executed previous to the 1st of November next. The Arapahoes having passed the winter on the Yellowstone, it was not possible to communicate with them in time for them to come to the council. On the 28th of June a party of six Arapahoes arrived as messengers from the main village, to say that they had heard of the treaty, and were anxious to avail themselves of the same advantages as had been given to the Sioux. These messengers were authorized by the tribe to speak for them. They further said that the Arapahoes were going to make peace with the Sioux, Crows, and Cheyennes, and wished also to make peace with the whites. The treaty made with the Sioux and that waiting for the Cheyennes, were read and fully explained to them, and they were informed that a portion of goods would be retained for them. They were entirely satisfied, and promised to report truly and faithfully to their chiefs what had been said to them. Thus it will be seen that the results of the commissioners' labors are a treaty entirely con cluded with the Ogalalla and Brulé Sioux, one negotiated and partly perfected with the Cheyennes, and a very favorable prospect of making the same terms with the Arapahoes. The Brulés being fully represented had the full share of their presents given to them, and, with a reserve for two absent chiefs, the Ogalallas have also received their share. The goods remaining in the hands of the agent, and now deposited in the government storehouse, will be delivered to the absent bands when they may come in and have signed the proposed treaty, From what we saw and heard the treaty gave as much satisfaction to the parties concerned as, under existing circumstances, could have been expected. We are aware that evil-disposed persons, actuated by malice or cupidity, have endeavored to create in the public mind a doubt of the permanence of the treaty. Whether it proves lasting or otherwise, depends very much on the conduct of the white men who are either settled in that country or who are passing through it. I was gratified to find, although contrary to our expectations, that some of the Sioux were disposed to resort to farming for their future support. We gave them the assurance that the government would extend a helping hand to those who were so inclined, being fully persuaded that the time is not far distant when they must supply themselves from the cultivated fields or be supported by the government, the game, which until recently formed their chief, if not their sole subsistence, being already greatly diminished, and now fast disappearing. The presents and provisions issued were received cheerfully and thankfully, and the whole conduct and speech of the Indians were indicative of their sincerity and intention to abide by their treaties. The commissioners respectfully recommend that a delegation of the Indians with whom these treaties have been made be permitted to visit the city of Washington. They suggest that the delegation consist of three Ogalallah chiefs, three Brulé chiefs, three Cheyenne chiefs, and three Arapahoe chiefs, with sufficient interpreters and managers. These Indians have never seen the whites except in their rudest condition, and though they have heard much of their numbers, power, and magnificence, they do not realize the idea as they would if they could see the wonders they have heard of. They have often asked the privilege, and in the ensuing fall it would be excellent policy and an act of justice to grant their request. The commissioners further recommend that fresh beef be authorized to be purchased and issued to the Indians in lieu of a portion of the salt meat, say three-fourths fresh beef, onefourth smoked bacon; (pickled pork is difficult to transport, and bacon is preferred.) Beef can be had in the country cheaply and abundantly, and is the most economical food that can be given to Indians. They eat, or otherwise make use of, every particle of an ox-hide, horns, flesh, entrails, hoofs, and bones. Finally, the commissioners recommend that the salaries of Indian agents stationed at remote points, such as Fort Laramie, be increased to a sum sufficient to support them, without being compelled to resort to some other means of making a living. At the present rate of pay and cost of provisions, it is impossible for a man of such education and ability as an Indian agent should possess, to live without resorting to trade or speculation. It is believed that an increase of salary to such an extent as will insure a comfortable living would secure for Indian agents a class of men who would devote themselves exclusively to their duties, and perform them to the mutual satisfaction of the government and the Indians. Respectfully submitted: No. 88. E. B. TAYLOR. Colonel 5th U. S. Volunteers. AGENCY OF THE UPPER PLATTE, Fort Laramie, September 20, 1866. SIR: On the 18th instant I assumed the duties of this office, relieving Colonel Vital Jarrot, and receipting for all the property belonging to the agency. I find the Indians in different localities. Big Mouth's band, of three hundred Indians, are in camp near Horse creek, and the balance of the Sioux, consisting of Spotted Tail band, three hundred; Swift Bear's band, two hundred and fifty; Iron Shell's band, three hundred; The Man that Walks in the Ground, three hundred, besides three or four hundred men in small bands, are in the game country, and about one hundred and fifty women and children left here in camp, without any means of subsistence and in a starving condition. These Indians all want peace, and say that on account of some few bad and hostile Indians being in the game country, they have not been able to hunt as usual, for fear of being charged with committing depredations that the hostile and bad Indians might commit; that they are anxious to go on the reserves they were promised, and are all determined to carry out in good faith the treaties made, and I believe will do so. I am of the opinion that if there is any way provided to place them on reserves, and subsist them until they can raise crops, they will effectually settle down and cease all hostilities and commit no depredations, and will be able to restrain and control the "bad men" of the tribes. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Colonel E. B. TAYLOR, M. T. PATRICK, Agent Upper Platte Indians. Superintendent Northern Superintendency, Omaha, N. T. No. 89. OFFICE SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Northern Superintendency, Omaha, Nebraska, October 1, 1866. SIR: I have the honor, in conformity to the regulations of the department, to submit my second annual report of the condition of Indian affairs in the northern superintendency, together with the accompanying reports of a portion of the agents and employés of the differ ent agencies embraced within the superintendency. It is a matter of regret that up to the present date no reports have been received from the Santee agency, at Niobrara, the Great Nemaha agency, or the Pawnee agency. Should reports from these agencies reach me in time to be forwarded to Washington in season to be embraced within the annual report made by your department to the honorable Secretary of the Interior, I shall be gratified. All of the agents have been requested to render their reports promptly, and a failure on the part of some of them to comply with this request has delayed mine for several days beyond the usual period of its rendition. I am gratified in being able to state, however, that the condition of the various tribes embraced within this superintendency (with but a single exception) is highly satisfactory. A portion of the Ogalallah band of Dakota, or Sioux Indians, of Upper Platte agency, (a subband known as Bad Faces,) still continue to occupy an attitude of hostility towards the whites, and have recently committed numerous depredations against the lives and property of emigrants en route to the mining districts of Montana via the Powder River route. these depredations I will speak more in detail in the subsequent pages of this report. Eleven tribes are embraced within this superintendency, numbering, in the aggregate, according to the most reliable data within my reach, more than eighteen thousand souls. The following table will exhibit, in a condensed form, the population of each tribe, the names of the agents, and the location and designation of various agencies. Of Name of tribe. Popu- Name of agents. Name of agency. Brulé and Ogalallah Sioux Cheyennes. Arapahoes. Sac and Foxes and Iowas of Missouri... Ottoes and Missourias Santee Sioux...... Total.... Location. 7,865 750 M. T. Patrick. Upper Platte....... Fort Laramie, Dakota. 2,750 John P. Becker.. Pawnee. Nebraska. These tribes are embraced within seven agencies, and each is settled upon a reservation, with the single exception of the tribes of the Upper Platte agency. The Sioux, Cheyennes, and Arapahoes, which compose this agency, are what are known and desiguated as Blanket Indians. They subsist chiefly by the hunt, and have no knowledge of and little inclination for the pursuit of agriculture. A small portion of the Brulé band of Sioux, several years ago, made an effort to raise corn in the valley of White river with fair success; but the enterprise was discouraged by the great body of the band and it was abandoned. This sub-band of the Brulés still maintain a distinct organization, and is known to-day by the original appellation given to it as a mark of derision, the Corn Band. Aside from this small number, not more in all than three hundred, the Upper Platte Sioux, Cheyennes, and Arapahoes, regard labor as degrading, and there is little hope that they can be induced, for many years to come, to betake themselves to agriculture and abandon the chase. All the other tribes, however, within the northern superintendency, subsist, to a greater or less extent upon the products of the soil, and have come to regard the hunt as precarious and unprofitable. The Pawnees, Ottoes and Omahas, still continue to make their annual spring and fall hunt, but the buffalo is becoming scarce and so remote from their respective reservations that there is little doubt that these tribes will soon abandon the chase altogether, and rely solely for subsistence upon the products of agriculture. UPPER PLATTE AGENCY. Three tribes, (the Brulé and Ogalallah Sioux, Cheyennes of the Upper Platte, as contradistinguished from the Cheyennes of the Upper Arkansas, and the Arapahoes,) constitute |