discarded the habits and customs of savage life; they read the New Testament in their native tongue; they are a civilized, Christian people. In order to supply for a season their urgent necessities, and to prevent their becoming a burdensome charge upon individual charity, I respectfully recommend that the sum of five or six hundred dollars be placed in the hands of Bishop Whipple for their benefit, to be expended as their necessities shall require. There are several families of this tribe at different places in this part of the State, of whose number and condition I have as yet no reliable information. My post office address at present is St. Paul. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. D. N. COOLEY, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. Special Commissioner. No. 111. ST. PAUL, June 25, 1866. SIR: In compliance with your instructions to make such inquiries as will enable me to report fully and in detail the facts that shall enable the department to make the distribution of money authorized by "An act of Congress for the relief of certain friendly Indians of the Sioux Nation, in Minnesota," approved February 9, 1865, giving the names of Indians supposed to be entitled to said bounty, and a brief statement of their claims thereto, and to designate some proper person to whom the same can be sent for delivery to them, I have the honor to report that at my first interview with the Right Reverend Bishop Whipple, on the 21st instant, he informed me that he had already collected material, consisting of letters and statements from sundry individuals cognizant of facts bearing upon the subject, also statements of friendly Indians and others who had personal knowledge of the conduct of different Indians at the time of and immediately after the massacre; based upon which, he had in process of completion a report of the matter in detail, such as your instructions require me to make. The bishop has since completed his report, and it is herewith enclosed. I have carefully examined the statements and letters relied upon in a great measure by the bishop in making up his report, have had interviews with several of the persons who made these statements, have heard their stories, had a long interview with General Sibley upon the subject, and have procured from him his letter to you of the 23d instant, herewith enclosed; and after a full and careful examination of the subject, I am decidedly of the opinion that the distribution of the bounty in question as recommended by the bishop in his enclosed report is just and equitable to all concerned, and, if approved by the department, will effectually carry out the intention of Congress in that regard. The following are the persons named in the report of the bishop as entitled to the bounty, with the sum to which each is supposed to be entitled set against his name: An-pe-tu-to-ke-cha, (Other Day,).. Taopi, chief, (Wounded Man,). Paul-maza-ker-ta-mane. Lorenzo Lawrence, To-wante-tonna. Wah-kin-yan-washte, (Good Thunder,). Enos, Wa-sa-ho-washta.. Tu-kan-wi-chas-ta... Wa-kan-cha-ma-za.. Peter, Tupe-ta-tan-kee... John B. Renville.. Amos, Eche-to-ke-ya... Marph-de-ye-win, (Sarah Farmer,). Thomas Robertson.. $2,500.00 500 60 500 00 500 00 500 00 250 00 250 00 250 00 100.00 150.00 160 00 100.00 100.00 50.00 160 00 100.00 50.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 150 00 160 00 100.00 100.00 100 00 50 00 50.00 50.00 I ask that the brief statement of ground of claim of the above-named parties, detailed in Bishop Whipple's report, be taken as part of this report; and beg leave to say that the lastnamed eleven persons recommended to be entitled to receive fifty dollars each were put upon the list at the suggestion of General Sibley, who personally knows them, and that they were so recommended as proper persons to be remembered by the government in this distribution, not on account of their performing any marked act of heroism in the rescue of captives, but because by timely and continued efforts in a less conspicuous manner than their brethren they contributed to the same result. Hence, no more particular statement of their claims is made. I enclose herewith the following letters, statements and papers referred to above, as the basis mainly of the distribution herein recommended, viz: Statement of Taopi, marked A; statement of Lorenzo Lawrence, marked B; statement of Miss Emily J. West, marked C; statement of John Other Day, marked D; letter of Rev. Samuel D. Hinman, marked E; statement of Good Thunder, marked F; letter of George H. Spencer, marked G; statemert of Wa-kan-cha-ma-za, marked H; letter of Rev. S. R. Riggs, marked 1; letter of Rev. Thomas S. Williams, marked J; letter of Miss Williamson, marked K statement of George H. Spencer, marked L; pamphlet referred to in the bishop's report, marked M. The credibility of each of the above-mentioned persons is vouched for either by Bishop Whipple or General Sibley. I concur in the recommendation of Dr. Jared W. Daniels, of Faribault, as a suitable person to receive and distribute this bounty. I earnestly recommend for the approval of the department the foregoing scheme of distribution reported by Bishop Whipple, and in conclusion beg leave to suggest that several of the persons named in that report as entitled to bounty are at present in extremely indigent circumstances. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. D. N. COOLEY, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, DC. SHUBAEL P. ADAMS, No. 111 a. FARIBAULT, June 22, 1866. SIR: I have the honor to report that, in accordance with your request, I have collected such testimony as is within my reach concerning the friendly Sioux who performed acts of bravery in rescuing white captives, or signalized in some marked mauner their friendship for the whites during the massacre of 1862, There is positive injustice in the appropriation of so miserable a pittance to testify our gratitude; a much larger sum would not pay the amount which we honestly owe these men. The government was the trustee of the Upper and Lower Sioux. It held several millions of dollars for their benefit-the joint property of the tribes. These friendly Sioux had abandoned their wild life and adopted the dress, habits, and customs of civilization, and in doing this, which placed them in open opposition to the traditions of their tribes, they were pledged the protection of the government. By a mistaken policy, by positive neglect to provide a government, by the perversion of funds due them for the sale of one-half their reservation, by withholding their annuities until two months after they were due, (which was caused by the use of a part of these funds for claims,) by permitting other causes of dissatisfaction to go on unchecked, we provoked the hostility of the wild Indians, and it went on until it ripened in massacre. These farmer Indians had been pledged a patent for their farms; unless we violated our solemn pledge, these lands were theirs by a title as valid as any title could be. They had large crops, sufficient to support General Sibley's army for a number of weeks. They lost all they had-crops, stock, clothing, and furniture. In addition to this they were deprived of their share in these annuities and for four years have lived in very great suffering. You can judge whether the sum of five thousand dollars shall be deemed a just reward for the bravery and fidelity of men who, at the risk of their own lives, were instrumental in saving white captives, and maintained their friendship to the whites. I submit to you, sir, (and through you hope to reach all who fear God and love justice,) whether the very least we can do for all the friendly Sioux is not to fulfil the pledges we made years ago and give to each of them a patent of eighty acres of land, build them a house and provide them cattle, seed, and implements of husbandry. It would be useless to divide this small sum among so many, and I have therefore divided it among those whom General Sibley, Reverends Mr. Williainson, Riggs, Hinman, Mr. Geo. H. Spencer, who are best fitted to judge, deem the most worthy. Other Day, (as appropriated by Congress, An-pe-tu-to-ke-cha,). There is no reason why Other Day should receive a reward of five times that of men who encountered double the danger. Taopi, chief, the Wounded Man.. He was the leader in the rescue of the whole number of captives, two hundred and fifty-five in all.-See testimony of General Sibley, George H. Spencer, and Rev. Mr. Hinman. The certificate of General Sibley is as follows: CAMP RELIANCE, October 4, 1862. The bearer, Taopi, or Wounded Man, is a civilized Sioux Indian, who deserves the gratitude of the American people for having been principally instrumental in saving the lives of white women and children during the late Indian I commend him to the kind consideration and attention of all citizens of the United States. war. $2,500 00 500 00 H. H. SIBLEY, Paul-maza-ker-ta-mane. General Sibley, Messrs. Williamson, Riggs, Hinman, George H. Spencer, Taopi, and others, bear witness to the bravery of this man in openly denouncing, in council, the hostile Indians, and at all times, at the risk of life, declaring his fidelity to us. Lorenzo Lawrence, To-wante-toma.. 500 00 500 00 General Sibley, Messrs. Williamson, Riggs, Hinman, Taopi, and Spencer, bear witness to his fidelity. At the risk of life he rescued ten white captives and brought them to Fort Ridgely. Simon An-ang-mani... 500 00 General Sibley, Messrs. Williamson, Riggs, and Hinman, bear witness to his fidelity. He rescued four captives and brought them to Fort Ridgely. Wah-kin-yan-wash-te, Good Thunder.. 250 00 Taopi bears witness to his great assistance. He signed Wa-ba-shaw's name He saved Geo. H. Spencer after he was wounded and carried him through the hostile Sioux in his arms, and on many occasions stood between him and death. It was one of the most remarkable acts of bravery on record. He is dead. He has left two very promising children, who ought to receive the reward of their father's bravery, especially since he died in our service. I recommend that it shall be paid to Mr. Spencer, who feels the deepest interest in their welfare. Enos, Wa-sa-ho-wash-ta.. Saved the lives of Mr. McLaren, Mr. Walker, and their families, and greatly aided Rev. Messrs. Williamson and Riggs, and was of the party who rescued Mrs. Huggins and children, going into the camp of the hostile Sioux for that purpose. He is dead, but leaves a wife and children. I recommend that the reward of their father's bravery shall be paid to the Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Williamson for their benefit. 250 00 250 00 Tu-kan-wi-chas-ta.... 100 00 Was one of the six tepes that received the two hundred and fifty-five captives at the time Taopi rescued them. Wa-kan-cha-ma-za.. 150 00 Was one of the six tepes that received the white captives. He also, at the risk of his life, carried Taopi's letter to a place where it could be sent to General Sibley. Peter, Tu-pe-ta-tan-kee... 100 00 Solomon, Tan-ka-ac-ce-ge. He was the first who offered aid to Rev. Dr. Williamson and family, and the doctor speaks warmly of his fidelity. 100.00 Solomon. Wi-chah-noon-pa.. Miss Williamson attributes her safety to this man and Zoe Ha-pa.. 100.00 50.00 An Indian woman, who at great risk brought provisions to the island where Mr. Riggs and party were secreted. John B. Renville.. 100 00 Rev. Messrs. Williamson and Riggs speak of his aid to them and his assistance in the final safety of two hundred and fifty-five captives. Amos E-che-to-ke-ya.. He was one who guarded Mr. Riggs and party, and also was one of the party who rescued Mrs. Higgins. Marph-de-ye-win, Sarah Farmer.. $100.00 50 00 Rev. Mr. Hinman says this woman attempted to go and warn the whites; saved Mr. Prescott, who was afterward murdered, and saved by bringing all the vestments and sacred vessels of our mission. Thomas Robertson... 100 00 Thomas Robinson...... 100 00 Taopi says these young men carried his letter and brought the answer from General Sibley, when, if discovered, it would have been punished with death. Wa-ba-shaw.. Wah-kin-yan-wash-te says that he signed Wa-ba-shaw's name to the letter to General Sibley. He was evidently timid. His band was hostile and he could not act openly. His own son-in-law charged his death (he was hung) upon Waba-shaw. I am convinced of his fidelity. Robert Hopkins, Chas-ka-dan.... 100 00 150 00 Rev. Messis. Williamson and Riggs speak of his aid in their deliverance. He was one who rescued Mrs. Huggins. Reuben, Tah-hopp-wa-kan....... 100 00 Wa-kan-ma-ne. 100 00 After Mr. Huggins was murdered these men took care of her and her children during her captivity, and evinced great kindness. Daniel Renville... 100 00 Was one of the party who rescued Mrs. Huggins from captivity. Antoine Renville... 100 00 He gave Mr. Riggs first notice of outbreak. General Sibley has given me the names of the following persons as deserving of aid: We-ish-kean.. Pay-Pay.. Tu-kan-e-che-ya.. 50.00 50.00 50 00 This man provided for as Solomon Tan-ka-ac-ce-ye. This should be Ah-ke-pah. Cha-tan-shan.... I have no question of their fidelity, and recommend that they have each some reward at the hands of the government. I have no doubt of the fidelity of all the farmer Sioux removed to Crow creek in 1863, or of many similarly situated among the Upper Sioux. If it be possible, I would suggest that a like amount shall be paid all such friendly Indians. It has been one of the most painful duties to discriminate between men where I have no doubt of their fidelity, and if it be within the power of the department, you will provide some suitable token of your approval of the good conduct of all the friendly Indians. If I am not mistaken a bill was passed by Congress in 1862, providing that all these men should receive eighty acres of land and an annuity of $50. If this is so, could you not provide that the law shall be fulfilled at an early day? I recommend Dr. Jared W. Daniels, of Faribault, as a person deeply interested in this people, and a proper person to distribute the amounts you shall desire to give the friendly Sioux. I submit herewith the letters of Taopi, Lorenzo, Other Day, Wakinyan Washte, Revs. Mr. Riggs, Williamson, Hinman, Mr. Geo. H. Spencer, and a letter of General Sibley; also a pamphlet which contains despatches of General Sibley. Regretting that I am not able to do more for men to whom I feel we owe a debt of gratitude, and with high regard for yourself, I am yours, faithfully, The Hon. COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. H. B. WHIPPLE. P. S.-It is a great wrong that Other Day shall receive five times the reward of men whose fidelity was equally great, and whose peril was far greater. He was a noble man, but it required less courage to take his white wife with a large number of white men to a place of safety than it did to encounter a whole camp of hostile Indians, or, single-handed, to lead helpless white women through the hostile Indian country. I regard them equally and even more deserving. No. 112. WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., September 4, 1866. We were surprised to see a statement in this morning's Chronicle, via Chicago paper, from Major Jas. R. Brown, making statements as to the failure of the commission treating at Fort Rice with the Santee-Sioux Indians, and as this is about a fair sample of reports from such men on Indian matters, you will allow us to correct. Major Brown (as he is termed) was authorized to collect the Santee Indians, so we could meet them for treaty purposes. Instead of collecting hostile Santees, as was expected, he brought a number of Indians who claimed to have been always friendly, several of whom were said to have been his brothersin-law and near relatives. With these he arrived at Fort Rice. Here he took a special delegation of five or six and came to Fort Sully. On his way back he, for we soon found he was at the bottom of the whole, proposed that we should make our propositions to the Santees in writing, which we at once declined, saying we had treated with all other Indians orally, and should treat with them in the same way. We had several consultations with the Indians on the boat, but declined making any special arrangements till we should meet the whole delegation at Fort Rice. At Rice we met the whole body, and as there was an independent delegation, authorized by the officer in command of Fort Wadsworth to come over to Fort Rice to see us, and as Brown's party had planned to keep these men from having anything to say on the occasion, there wasfor a time considerable friction. After a while the Brown party commenced by refer ring to their old annuities, the large amount of them, and demanding their payment. To all of which we had only one answer to make, viz: that we, as commissioners, did not claim to know anything, and certainly had nothing to say on that subject, but if they wished to enter into new treaty relations we were there for the purpose, and should be glad to treat with them. Some of them became greatly offended because we would not allow their old treaty claims, and nearly all after a little (of Brown's party) became angry and abruptly left the council. After this we went on with our business with other Indians, and indirectly got them word that if they did anything in the way of treaty they would have to do so soon, as in a day or two we should be off. They came around again, perhaps the next day, in a better mood, when, after a free conversation as to their wishes, we prepared a very liberal treaty, granting them all they desired, as we understood them. In this treaty we provided for them a large reservation, buildings, mechanics, &c., but we provided also for the extinguishing (except the right to hunt till settled by whites) of their claim to land in Dakota Territory outside their reservation. We did this because, 1st, their claim in our judgment was doubtful, they having for years been settled on reservations in Minnesota, and other Indians from the Missouri river claiming the same country; 2d, we thought it time to quiet this claim, and thus save trouble in the future, and also from the fact we were getting nothing but this as a consideration for the large amounts we proposed to grant them. We have no doubt the Indians when they heard this treaty read would then and there have signed it readily, indeed they said as much to us at the time; but they wished time to think about the subject, and, as we expected, on Monday morning when they came together again it was all wrong, so we, at their request, gave them rations to last them on their way home, and they left. We had no doubt then, and have none now, but if Mr. Brown had had his bills paid by us, and been provided for as agent with some thousands of dollars in money or lands, given in view of his long residence and very valuable service for the good of said Indians-all of which we utterly failed to see-the whole matter would have gone off at once; but as we did not see fit to buy a treaty in that way, it failed. Respectfully yours, The Hon. COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. No. 113. SANTEE-SIOUX AGENCY, Niobrara, N. T., October 1, 1866. SIR: In compliance with the regulations of the Indian department, I have the honor here with to submit the following report, relative to the affairs of this agency, for the year end. ing October 1, 1866: I cannot too highly commend the uniform good conduct of the Santee Indians since the date of my last report, especially during the past winter, when, to their great annoyance, heavy falls of snow and severe cold weather drove to their agency some seventeen hundred Yanktons, Yanktonais, Two Kettle, and Brulé Sioux Indians, in a starving condition; afte |