1867 Delegations
President in 1867: Andrew Johnson
Commissioner of Indian Affairs in 1867: Lewis V. Bogy (until ca. March 12)
Nathaniel Green (starting March 29)
Jan. 28, 1867: Daily Chronicle: [unid.]
An Indian Delegation at St. Louis.
St. Louis January 27.--An Indian delegation from Kansas arrives here to-day, and will leave for Washington by the Terre Haute train tomorrow.
Jan. 28, 1867: Evening Star: [Delaware, Kaskaskia, Kaw, Kickapoo, Peoria, Piankeshaw, Potawatomi, Quapaw, Sac & Fox, Seneca, Shawnee, unid.]
The Indian delegation which left Kansas City, Friday [Jan. 25], for Washington, are the representatives of the following tribes: Pottawatomies, Sacs, Foxes, Kaws, Shawnees, Kickapoos; Reds, New York Indians, Quapaw, Senecas, Peorias, Pinkeshaws, and Kaskaskis. The delegation of the prairie bands--Pottawatomies and Delawares--will follow. A portion of the Ottawa and Chippewa tribes have agreed by treaty to abandon their tribunal organization and become citizens of Kansas.
Jan. 28, 1867: Evening Star: [Dakota: Sisseton, Wahpeton]
Arrival of a Delegation of Indians.--A delegation of chiefs and warriors of the Wahpeton and Sissiton bands of Sioux Indians arrived here Friday [Jan. 25] evening, and are stopping at the barracks on the corner of 19th street and New York avenue.
The delegation, which consists of twenty-one fine, stalwart men, under the guidance of Major Joseph R. Browne, come to make a treaty for the right of way through Indian territory for a wagon road to fort Benton and Montana. They declare their readiness to make the grand, and to protect the same against any hostile Indians.
The delegation includes Other Day and one of the Indians that assisted him in getting the whites from Yellow Medicine. Gabril Renville is the head chief; Scarlet Plume, head chief of the Sissitons; Akipa, head chief of the Wahpetons; Oyehduza, chief of the Light Band on the Big Stone Lake; Washeecohah maza, chief of one of the subdivisions of Standing Buffalo's band. The others are head soldiers representing the several bands who occupied the country between Yellow Medicine and the head of the Coteau des Prairies.
Renville, Akipa, Two stars, and Other Day were among those who opposed the outbreak from the first indication they had of its progress. They never joined the hostile camp, and took every opportunity of openly denouncing the outbreak, and dissuading the young men from joining it. The number of lodges who thus opposed the outbreak were forty-five.
Through the influence of these Indians, Gens. Sibley and Corse succeeded in recapturing 100 captives, which the Indians had captured two years before. All the white captives were returned but one boy. They were delivered up at Camp Release.
Scarlet Plume was at big Stone lake at the time of the outbreak, and when the hostile bands reached there he was lee captive by them on their skedaddle to the Northwest prairies, and was in the hostile camp when the troops under General Sibley encountered them at buffalo Lake. He there approached the troops, and warned Gen. Sibley not to hold a parley with the Indians, as in that case it was their intention to kill him and the whites with him. This he did at the risk of his life, and while he was speaking he was seized and forcibly dragged from the field by a party of hostile Sioux.
Two Shoes, Pretty Boy, Scarlet Crow, Scarlet Eagle, Eeshe-ja-kiya, Ich-wa-inke, Wa-kan-to, and the Lean Man were employed as scouts at the Hawk's Nest, on the Coteau, when the murderers of the Jewett family were killed. The men composing the entire delegation were actively and usefully employed as scouts in 1864 and 1865, and the summary treatment they meted out to the several war parties they encountered has, beyond a doubt, secured the peace of the frontier during the past summer.
Major Browne is accompanied by Benjamin Thompson, Esq., Special Agent, and Messrs. C. H. Mix, Assistant Agent; Anson Brown, Interpreter, Charles Crawford, Assistant Interpreter.
Jan. 28, 1867: Sun [Baltimore]: [Delaware, Kaskaskia, Kaw, Peoria, Piankeshaw, Potawatomi, Sac
& Fox, Seneca, Shawnee]
St. Louis, Jan 26.--The Indian delegation which left Kansas City yesterday, for Washington, are the representatives of the following tribes: Pottawattamies, Sacs, Foxes, Kaws, Shawnees, Senecas, Peorias, Piankeshaws and Kaskaskas. The delegations of the prairie band--Pottawottamies and Delawares--will arrive in a day or two, and follow on to Washington. A portion of the Ottawa and Chippewa tribes have agreed by treaty to abandon their tribal organization and become citizens of Kansas.
Jan. 28, 1867: Sun [Baltimore]: [Kaskaskia, Kaw, Peoria, Piankeshaw, Sac & Fox, Seneca,
Shawnee]
Kansas Indian Delegation.
St. Louis, Jan. 27.--The Indian delegation from Kansas arrived here to-day, and will leave for Washington by the Terre Haute train to-morrow.
Jan. 29, 1867: Alexandria Gazette: [Dakota]
A delegation of twenty-five Indian chiefs and warriors of the Sioux band, has arrived here, and are at the barracks, corner of Nineteenth street and New York avenue.
Jan. 29, 1867: Sun [Baltimore]: [Dakota]
[Under heading, "Washington, January 28" - same article as Jan. 29, Alexandria Gazette about the Dakota.]
Jan. 30, 1867: Daily National Intelligencer: [Dakota: Sisseton, Wahpeton]
The Indian Delegation.
Another Indian Delegation.--A delegation, consisting of twenty-one of the headmen of the Wahpeton and Sisseton tribes of Indians, are in town, for the purpose of endeavoring to induce the Government to lay out a wagon route through the Indian Territory to Fort Benton and Montana, which they promise to defend against all hostile tribes. The delegation is accompanied by Major Joseph R. Brown, Benjamin Thompson, special Indian agent; Mr. Mix, assistant agent; Anson Brown, interpreter, and Charles Crawford, assistant interpreter.
I find the above in the Departmental column of the Intelligencer of yesterday morning. An intimate acquaintance with many of the headmen of the Wahpeton and Sisseton bands of the Sioux enables me to appreciate the importance of the information contained in the above paragraph. These Wahpetons and Sissetons are the same humane individuals who conducted so successfully and triumphantly the Minnesota massacre of 1862. If they can only "induce the Government to lay out a wagon road through the Indian Territory to Fort Benton and Montana" there can be no doubt that they will "defend it." The men who perpetrated the outrages in Minnesota--outrages so revolting and sickening in their awful details that all former crimes "whiten into virtue" when compared with them--have turned missionaries! and are here in the interest of white emigration to the mining districts of Montana. When appealed to from such a source can the Government refuse to be "induced?" Let us wait and see. Of course, these benevolent missionaries bear their own expenses!" The "noble Sisseton" would scorn to tax the National Treasury with the fifteen thousand dollars which his visit will entail upon somebody! [unsigned]
Jan. 31, 1867: Daily National Intelligencer: [Delaware, Kansa, Miami, Ottawas, Potawatomies, Sac
& Fox, Seneca, Shawnee & unid.]
Arrival of Indian Delegations.
Delegations of Indian tribes from Kansas, consisting of Pottawatomies, Sacs, Foxes, Shawnees, Delawares, Miamis, Kaws, Senecas, South Shawnees, Ottawas, with others, arrived in this city yesterday. They are accompanied by their agents and interpreters. They number in all about seventy. They are summoned here by the Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Delegates from other tribes of Kansas, to a considerable number, will also shortly be here. The object of their visit is understood to be to treat with respect to their removal from the State of Kansas. The majority of them are in citizens' dress; some of the Kaws are in Indian costume. Keokuk, a son of the far-famed Keokuk, is among the chiefs of the Pottawatomies. We learn that they have good farms, are generally industrious, and are comfortable. These Indians experienced a new thing when the cars ran off the track a little this side of Indianapolis. They gave out the whoops in the loudest manner. Burosangh, an Indian historian, is with the party.
Jan. 31, 1867: Evening Star: [unid., mixed]
The Indian Delegations.
The delegations of various Indian tribes who arrived in this city yesterday, had an interview with the commissioner of Indian Affairs this morning. They visit this city for the purpose of making treaties relative to certain lands to be occupied by them.
Jan. 31, 1867: Alexandria Gazette: [Delaware, Kaw, Miami, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Sauk & Fox,
Seneca, Shawnee; unid.]
Delegations of Indian tribes from Kansas, consisting of Pottawatomies, Sacs, Foxes, Shawnees, Delawares, Miamis, Kaws, Senecas, South Shawnees, Ottawas, with others, arrived in this city yesterday. They are accompanied by their agents and interpreters. They number in all about seventy.
Feb. 1, 1867: New York Times: [Delaware, Kansa, Miami, Ottawas, Potawatomies, Sac & Fox,
Seneca, Shawnee & unid.]
WASHINGTON....Indian Delegations... To the Associated Press. Washington, Thursday, Jan. 31
Delegations from fourteen tribes of Indians waited upon Commissioner Bogy to-day for the purpose of holding an interview with him, in order to ascertain what disposition was to be made of the lands they now occupy, besides of certain interests which they hold in others. The Commissioner not being prepared to hold a business interview with them at present, briefly welcomed each delegation, expressing to them separately an outline of his views upon the subject of their mission to Washington. Among those present was Keokuk, reported to be the finest looking Indian in the country, who was clad in the characteristic costume of his race, and who, after the termination of Mr. Bogy's speech of welcome, approached the Commissioner and through an interpreter, expressed his willingness to adopt such views as the Commissioner had proposed. He stated that in coming hither, so poor were the facilities employed by the Government for their transportation, that the wagon in which he was seated broke down, and by this mishap he thought he would never have the pleasure of seeing the Commissioner. This remark caused much merriment. The majority of the Indians present could not understand the English language. Those civilized, and who had been educated by the instrumentality of the Government, were dressed as citizens, their brown features being the only index of their race.
Feb. 4, 1867: Evening Star: [Delaware, Kaw, Miami, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Sauk & Fox, Seneca,
Shawnee]
The Indian Delegations.
The delegations from the various Indian tribes residing in Kansas, who arrived in this city last week, had a business interview with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs this afternoon at one o'clock. The delegations visited this city for the purpose of making arrangements to remove from the land now occupied by them in Kansas, and settle on land set apart for them in Indian territory. The interview lasted for some time, but no arrangements were entered into, and another one will take place in a few days.
Feb. 5, 1867: Daily National Intelligencer: [Delaware, Kaw, Miami, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Sauk &
Fox, Seneca, Shawnee]
Interview with the Indians.
At one o'clock yesterday the delegations from the various Indian tribes residing in Kansas, who arrived in this city last week had a business interview with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The delegations visited this city for the purpose of making arrangements to remove from the land now occupied by them in Kansas and settle on land set apart for them in the Indian territory. The interview lasted for some time, but no arrangements were entered into, and another will take place in a few days.
Feb. 7, 1867: Daily Chronicle; [Dakota]
Indian Delegation.
The Indian delegation, composed of the representative men of the Sioux tribe, now sojourning in this city for the purpose of negotiating a treaty with the Government, had an interview with the Secretary of the interior and Commissioner of Indian Affairs yesterday afternoon. They demanded immediate aid, as their families are almost destitute of provision and clothing. The Commissioner, Mr. Bogy, replied that the immediate wants of their people should be supplied as soon as possible, and that in making the treaty he would use his efforts to have the annuities which were due them previous to the recent rebellion paid. He also remarked that in making the treaty they should agree to live upon a reservation and become practical farmers. Mr. Bogy's remarks were interpreted to them, and seemed to make a favorable impression, judging by the number of the "ughs" uttered. Messrs. B. Thompson and J. R. Brown have charge of the delegation during their trip to the national capital.
Feb. 8, 1867: Daily National Intelligencer: [Chippewa]
Hole-in-the-Day,
Chief of the Chippewa Indians of Minnesota, has arrived in the city. There are a great number of representatives of Indian tribes in the city at this time, a fact that is quite interesting in connection with the reported warlike demonstrations of Indians upon the plains. Hole-in-the-Day is, of course, the law in respect to the interests of his tribe. He is accompanied by Mr. Ray, one of the blood of the Chippewas, who is well known in the city as the agent of that tribe.
Feb. 14, 1867: Daily National Intelligencer: [Chippewa, Delaware, Kaw, Miami, Ottawa,
Potawatomi, Sauk & Fox, Seneca, Shawnee]
Interview with the Indians.
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs on Tuesday [Feb. 12] had a second interview with the delegations of the various Indian tribes from Kansas, now on a visit to the city for the purpose of aking arrangements to move from Kansas into the Indian country. The interview lasted for some time, but no treaty was completed.
The delegations from the Chippewa, Sac, and Fox tribes of Indians numbering about seventy, will leave for their homes via the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to-day.
Feb. 14, 1867: Evening Star: [Kaw, Sauk & Fox]
Indian Treaties.
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs yesterday held a lengthy interview with the delegation of Kaw Indians and the treaty providing for their removal from Kansas into Indian Territory was consummated. To-day interviews were held with the delegations from the Sac and Fox tribes, and it is thought a similar treaty will be entered into by them to-morrow. The Kaw delegation leeft for their home this morning.
Feb. 14, 1867: Evening Star: [Dakota]
Another Indian Delegation.
A delegation from the Sioux Indians of the Upper Missouri, consisting of several chiefs, are expected to arrive in this city on Saturday, for the purpose of settling difficulties existing between them and the Indian Bureau, growing out of the intention of the Government to remove them from the territory now occupied by them into the Indian country.
Feb. 14, 1867: Sun [Baltimore]: [Chippewa, Sauk & Fox; unid.]
The delegations of the Chippewa, Sacs and Fox, and other Indian tribes, numbering about seventy who have been here for some weeks, leave to-morrow for their homes. They will take a route directly west, going by the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to Parkersburg, and from thence by the Marietta and Cincinnati road to the West. No treaty has been completed with them though they had a second interview with the commissioner to-day.
Feb. 15, 1867: Sun [Baltimore]: [Kaw, Dakota]
[Under heading, "Washington, February 14"]
A delegation from the Sioux Indians of the Upper Missouri, consisting of several chiefs, are expected here on Saturday for the purpose of settling difficulties growing out of propositions to remove them into the Indian country. The commissioner of Indian affairs has, it seems, made treaties with the Kaw Indians, whose delegates left for home to-day.
Feb. 18, 1867: Evening Star: [Dakota]
More Indians.--A delegation of the Sioux Indians from the Upper Missouri arrived in the City yesterday for the purpose of making arrangement to remove from the land now occupied by hem into Indian Country. The delegation numbers about forty chiefs and braves, and are quartered at the Union Hotel corner 13 1/2 and E streets.
[Feb. 19, 1867: Treaty signed in Washington, D. C. with the Dakota: Sisseton & Wahpeton]
Feb. 19, 1867: NY Times: [Dakota]
A Delegation of Sioux Indians.
A delegation of the Missouri River Sioux Indians, numbering forty-four, arrived here [RECHECK - IS DATELINE D.C.?] yesterday. These Indians are under the protection of Gov. Foulk. They are accompanied by Pa-Nnan-Nio-Po-Pi, or the Man Who Strikes the Tree, Head Chief of the Lancions [sic]
Dakotah Indian Delegations.
A large delegation of Sioux and Yancton Indians from Dakotah, accompanied by the delegate from that Territory, who claims them as a part of his constituents, visited not only the two Houses of Congress to-day but the United States Supreme Court while those bodies were in session. The Indians were in full costume and attracted more than ordinary attention.
Feb. 20, 1867: Evening Star: [Dakota: Sissteon, Wahpeton; Sac & Fox, Stockbridge]
Treaties with the Indians
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs yesterday had an interview with the Sisseton and Marpeton [sic] bands of Sioux Indians, from the northeastern part of Dakota Territory, and a treaty was entered into with them providing for removing and settling them on reservations in the eastern portion of the Territory.
On Monday, a treaty was made with the Sacs and Foxes, of Minnesota, the two bands numbering about seventy, providing for their removal from the southeastern portion of that State to the western part of Dakota, east of the Minnesota line.
A treaty has been made with the Stockbridge tribe, of Wisconsin, providing for the sale of the lands now occupied by them, and removing them to reservations in another part of the State.
Feb. 23, 1867: Evening Star: [Chippewa, Dakota, Sac & Fox, Potawatomi, Kansa]
Indians at the White House.
Speech of the President.
At eleven o'clock to day the delegations of the various Indian tribes, now in this city on business with the Indian Bureau, assembled at the Indian Office for the purpose of visiting their great father, the President. A few minutes before twelve Secretary and Commissioner Bogy, with the agents and interpreters of the various tribes, and the Indians, numbering in all over one hundred, about fifty of whom were in full Indian costume started from the Patent Office building and proceed up F street to the Executive Mansion. At the White House a large crowd, many of whom were ladies, had assembled previous to the arrival of the Indians, anxious to witness the interview. The Indians formed in line around the room as follows:
The Chippewas delegation, numbering 16 in full Indian costume, "Hole in the Day," principal chief, and J. D. Bassett agent. The Sioux tribe, of the Upper Missouri, 12 in number, consisting of delegations from Two Kettle Band, "Two Lance," chief; Lower Brules, "Iron Nation," chief; Minneconjou, "The Stoic," chief; Sans Arcs, "Yellow Hawk," chief; Blackfeet, "Little Black Foot," chief, J. R. Hansen agent in charge. Santee Sioux delegation, in citizen's dress, numbering 15, 'War-Be-Sha," chief, and J. M. Stone agent; Warpeton Sissiton tribe, of Minnesota, (Friendly Sioux) numbering 21, "Gabriel Ravel," chief, and Benjamin Thomson agent. Sacs and Foxes of Mississippi and Sacs and Foxes of Missouri, 5 in number, dressed in Indian costumes, "Keokuk" and "Moles," chiefs, and H. W. Martin agent. Four of the Kaw delegation, in citizen's dress, F. R. Page agent. Mazee and Pottawatomi Bands, 8 in number "Mianco," chief, and S. R. Palmer agent.
About half past 12 o'clock the President appeared in the East Room, accompanied by Secretary Browning, and was addressed by Hon. Mr. Bogy, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, as follows
Mr. President:--As the head of the Indian Bureau, I come here this morning to present you a large number of Indians who are visiting this city for the purpose of making treaties with the United States. They have all expressed a desire to see you, their great Father, therefore we have congregated for that purpose, that they may express to you in brief their wants. They call you their great Father, that is they look upon you for protection and care. Our Government looks upon these people as dependants and wards of the nation, and since I have held the responsible office under you as Commissioner of Indian Affairs, I have endeavored to give to them that to which they are justly entitled. We know that the great highways of civilization are progressing from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, and education and christianity are now being introduced among the red men. We have come here to see you as they call you, "The Big Chief of the Nation," that they may pay their respects to you. I thank you sir, in their behalf, for your kindness in allowing them this interview.
The remarks of Mr. Bogy were interpreted to the Indians by one of their interpreters, and he was frequently interrupted by them with a gutteral ejaculation of "Ugh," signifying their approval.
The President then replied as follows
Speech of the President
I wish to say to those head men and the representatives of the different tribes assembled here, through you Mr. Commissioner, that they will find on the part of the United States and their great father as they call me, every disposition to cultivate peace and amity between the races, although the United States has grown strong and powerful in its march onward and your tribes have greatly diminished there will be nothing left undone that a great and powerful nation can do for the care and protection of its wards. You may rest assured then that with the able and efficient head of the Indian Bureau and the Secretary of the Interior everything that can be done will be done to cherish peace, good feeling and amity which should exist between the various nations and races.
The speech having been interpreted, each one of the Indians was then presented to and took the President by the hand.
There were present in the East Room the ladies of the Executive Mansion, the family of Secretary Browning, Cole, Johnson, Moore, Long, and Rives, of the President's staff, and many others.
Gardner, the photographer, was on hand and secured an excellent picture of the President, Indians, and Agents.
[Feb. 23, 1867: Treaty signed in Washington, D.C. with Seneca, mixed Seneca & Shawnee, Quapaw]
Feb. 24, 1867: New York Times: [mixed, unidentified]
[Assoc. Press, under date Washington, Saturday, Feb. 23]
Visit of Indians to the President...To the Associated Press. Washington, Saturday, Feb. 23. To-day the delegations of the various Indian tribes now in this city on business with the Indian Bureau, repaired to the Executive Mansion for the purpose of seeing the Great Father, the President. They were accompanied by Secretary Browning and Commissioner Bogy, with the agents and interpreters of the various tribes. The Indians numbered over one hundred, one-half of whom were in full Indian costume. A large crowd of persons, many of whom were ladies, had assembled at the White House previous to their arrival. The reception took place in the East Room, when Commissioner Bogy addressed the President as follows:
Mr. President: As the head of the Indian Bureau, I come here this morning to present you a large number of Indians, who are visiting this city for the purpose of making treaties with the United States. They have expressed a desire to see you, their great father, therefore we have congregated for that purpose, that they may express to you in brief their wants. They call you their great father, that is, they look upon you for protection and care. Our Government looks upon these people as dependants and wards of the nation, and since I have held the responsible office under you as Commissioner of Indian affairs, I have endeavored to give to them that to which they are justly entitled. We know that the great highways of civilization are progressing from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, and education and christianity are now being introduced among the red men. We have come here to see you, as they call you "the big chief of the nation," that they may pay their respects to you. I thank you Sir, in their behalf, for the kindness in allowing them this interview.
The remarks of Mr. Bogy were interpreted to the Indians by one of the interpreters, and he was frequently interrupted by them with a gutteral ejaculation of "ugh," signifying their approval.
The President then replied as follows:
I wish to say to these head men, and the representatives of the different tribes assembled here, through you, Mr. Commissioner, that they will find on the part of the United States and their great father, as they call me, every disposition to cultivate peace and amity between the races, although the United States has grown strong and powerful in its march onward, and your tribes have greatly diminished, there will be nothing left undone that a great and powerful nation can do, for the care and protection of its wards. You may rest assured, then, that with the able and efficient head of the Indian Bureau, and the Secretary of the Interior, everything that can be done will be done to cherish peace, good feeling and amity, which should exist between the various nations and races.
The speech having been interpreted, each one of the Indians was then presented to and took the President by the hand.
There were present, in the East Room, the ladies of the Executive Mansion, the family of Secretary Browning, Cols. Johnson, Moore, Lowell and Rives, of the President's staff, and many others.
Feb. 25, 1867: Alexandria Gazette: [unid.]
The delegations of the Indian Tribes, now in Washington, visited the President on Saturday [Feb. 23] and were addressed by the President, who exhorted them to the cultivation of peace and friendship with the whites, and assured them of the care and protection of the government.
Feb. ??, 1867: Washington Chronicle: [Dakota: Sisseton]
Lost and Found.
$100 Reward.--On Sunday Night, February 24, one of the Indians [Scarlet Crow] belonging to the Sisseton and Warpeton Sioux delegation disappeared from the Barracks, corner of New York and Nineteenth Street, and has not been heard from. Said Indian is about forty years old, and about five feet six inches high, and wears his hair cropped. He had on when he left satient pants, laced shoes, striped flannel shirt, and wore a green three-point blanket. The above reward will be paid to any person returning said Indian to the aforesaid Barracks, or giving such information as will lead to his recovery by applying to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs or to Benjamin Thompson, Special Agent, no. 64, Kirkwood House.
Feb. 25, 1867: Daily National Intelligencer: [unid., mixed]
Visit of the Indian to the White House.
Saturday [Feb. 23] a large number of ladies and gentlemen assembled at the White House to witness the ceremony of the reception by the President of the various delegations of Indian tribes now in the city. The Indians arrived at a quarter past twelve o'clock, when the doors of the East room were thrown open, and it was soon crowded.
There were present in the East Room the ladies of the Executive Mansion, the family of Secretary Browning, Colonels Johnson, Moore, Long, and Rives, of the President's staff, and many others.
About half past twelve o'clock the President appeared in the East room, accompanied by Secretary Browning, and was addressed by Hon. Mr. Bogy, Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The remarks of Mr. Bogy were interpreted to the Indians by one of their interpreters and he was frequently interrupted by them with a general ejaculation of "Ugh!" signifying their approval.
The President then replied as follows:
"I wish to say to those head men and representatives of the different tribes assembled here, through you, Mr. Commissioner, that they will find on the part of the United States and their great father, as they call me, every disposition to [earn? ]the peace and amity between the races. Although the United States has grown strong and powerful in its march onward, and your [..tes] have greatly diminished, there will be nothing left undone that a great and powerful nation can do for the care and protection of its wards. You may rest assured then that with the able and efficient head of the Indian Bureau and the Secretary of the Interior everything that can be done will be done to [...] peace, good feeling, and amity which should exist between the various nations and races."
The speech having been interpreted, each one of the Indians was then presented to and took the President by the hand, and then, accompanied by their agents and interpreters, passed out of the room.
[Feb. 27, 1867: Treaty signed in Washington, D.C. with the Potawatomi]
March 2, 1867: Sun [Baltimore]: [unid., mixed]
[Under date, "Washington, March 1"]
The United States steamer Ascutney will leave the navy-yard to-morrow or on Monday for a trip to Mount Vernon, for the purpose of carrying the Indian delegations now here to that interesting locality.
March 2, 1867: Evening Star: [Dakota: Sissiton]
[NOTE: Scarlet Crow went missing and was later found murdered.]
Lost And Found:–
$100 REWARD
On Saturday night, Feb. 24, 1867, one of the Indians belonging to the Sissiton and Warpeton Sioux delegation, disappeared from the Barracks, corner of New York avenue and 19th street, and has not since been heard form.
Said Indian is about 41 years old about 5 feet 6 inches high, and wears his hair cropped. Had on when he left the Barracks, satinet pants, laced shoes, striped flannel shirt, and wore a green 3 point plauket [sic = blanket].
The above reward will be paid to any person returning said Indian to the Barracks aforesaid, or giving such information as will lead to his recovery, by applying to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, or to Benj. Thompson, Special Agent, No. 64 Kirkwood House.
March 4, 1867: Evening Star: [Cherokee, Shawnee]
Treaties with the Indians.
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs on Friday last concluded a treaty with the Cherokee Indians of Kansas modifying the treaty of July 19, 1866, so as to allow the tribe to sell what is known as neutral lands (comprising about 800,000 acres) to the Atlantic and Pacific railroad company. This morning a treaty was entered into with the Shawnees of Kansas which provision is made to remove them into Indian country. Treaties have now been made with all the Kansas Indians providing for their removal.
March 8, 1867: Daily National Intelligencer: [unid.]
The Lost Indian Found Dead.
For several days past an advertisement has appeared in the city papers, offering a reward for the recovery of one of the Indians now on a visit to this city, who had strayed away from his comrades. Although diligent search had been made, no clue had been discovered as to his whereabouts until yesterday, when Mr. Magruder, residing on the outskirts of the city, discovered the dead body of an Indian, whom he correctly supposed was the one advertised for. He immediately came to the city for help to bring in the body. Upon his return he found that some other persons had found and brought to the city the remains of the Indian.
It is supposed that the red man had imbibed too much "fire-water," and had died from the effects of liquor and exposure.
[NOTE: Scarlet Crow was buried in Congressional Cemetery]
March 12, 1867: Evening Star: [Dakota: Sisseton]
An Indian Suicide--An Indian, answering the description of Scarlet Crow, the Sisseton Sioux who disappeared from the barracks on 19th street some time since, was found this morning in Virginia, near the Aqueduct bridge. When found he had the appearance of having been dead about two days. He had torn a slip from the blanket he wore and hung himself. It is probable he had wandered about for a couple of weeks, and becoming bewildered and despairing, and most probably suffering from starvation, he determined to end his misery by suicide. He leaves a wife and eight children to mourn his loss. This man is said to have been an industrious and well-behaved Indian; was a warm friend of the whites, and a man whose influence, previous to the outbreak, did much toward the promotion of agriculture among the members of his band. His laborious habits had made him a prosperous farmer, and he lost valuable improvements and considerable stock and household property in consequence of the outbreak of 1862. Since that time he has been an efficient scout and given valuable information to the authorities in the frontier settlements.
March 13, 1867: Alexandria Gazette: [Dakota: Sisseton]
The remains of the missing Indian, Scarlet Crow, of the Sisseton Sioux tribe, were found yesterday in Virginia, near the Aqueduct.--The indications are that he committed suicide by hanging himself.
March 13, 1867: Daily National Intelligencer: [unid.]
[Under "Personal"]
...John G. Pratt, John Conner, Charles Journeycake, Isaac Journeycake, Indian delegation from Kansas....are at the National
March 15, 1867: Richmond Whig [Dakota: Sisseton]
[Abbreviated reprint of March 12 Star article]
March 16, 1867: Harper's Weekly [Dakota: Yankton & unid.]
[Includes line drawing based on photo by Gardner]
Indian Delegations at Washington.
Two Indian delegations from the friendly tribes of Decotah Territory visited Washington during the latter part of February. They consisted of the chief men of the Sioux and Yancton tribes, and numbered over one hundred persons. The chiefs were dressed in full Indian costume, and attracted much attention. They were accompanied by Governor Foulk, of Dacotah, and were in Washington for the purpose of framing new treaties.
On the 23rd of February they visited the White House, and were introduced by Secretary Browning and Indian Commissioner Bogy to the President. The reception took place in the East room, in the presence of a large number of persons, including the families of the President, secretary Browning, and other officials. The speeches on the occasion ere of the usual stereotyped form of such affairs. The remarks of Mr. Bogy to the President were interpreted to the Indians, and were approved by them in their guttural ejaculation of "Ugh!" The reply of the President, unlike most of his speeches, also met with approval.
March 16, 1867: Evening Star: [Unid., mixed]
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The Anniversary of the Judson Missionary Society, of the 1st Baptist Church will take place at the Church 13th between G & B streets on Sunday, the 17th inst. Rev. J. W. M. Williams, D.D., of Baltimore, will preach in the morning at 11 o'clock. At night a public meeting will be held which will be addressed by distinguished gentlemen, among them Hons. Senator Willey and representative Hubbard of West Virginia. Delegations from the various Indian tribes in the city will also attend and sing in their own language, and otherwise and to the interest of the occasion. The public is respectfully invited.
[March 19, 1867: Treaty signed in Washington, D. C. with the Chippewa of the Mississippi]
March 21, 1867: Daily National Intelligencer [Dakota: Yankton]
Interview of the Yankton Sioux Delegation with the Secretary of the Interior.
Yesterday a delegation from this tribe, composed of the principal and a number of inferior chiefs, to the number of fifteen, accompanied by Hon. A. J. Faulk, Governor of Dakota Territory; Hon. Mr. Burleigh, delegate in Congress; P. H. Conger, agent, and Alex C. Young, interpreter, had an interview with Hon. O. H. Browning, Secretary of the Interior. Quite a company of ladies and gentlemen were present.
The delegation is composed of large, noble-looking men, being nearly all six feet high, and stout and well formed. They have always been friendly to the whites, having furnished guides to Lewis and Clark in their exploring expedition in 1804, and having furnished many since to the troops. Frank Delano, who was guide to General Sully, was with the party. They presented a unique appearance in their dresses of deer skin and blankets of buffalo hide, embroidered with beads and colored silk. One of them had large ear-rings of brass, about three inches in diameter, with shells of the same size appended.
After the Indians had been presented to the Secretary, the head chief, Pa-da-ne Apape, (struck by the bee,) said to the Secretary, through the interpreter, that he was free from the blood of the white man; he had always been his friend; he had fought for him against the hostile Indians; he had furnished General Sully with fifty warriors during the late war, who had been faithful, and that he thought that some pay should be given them for that service. His tribe had always been the friend of the white man, and had done him much service. When the white men came to fight the Indians they could not do much; they carried their wives with them and drank too much liquor.
The Secretary said, in reply, that he was glad to see them, and to hear that they had been friendly, and wished them to remain so; if wrongs were done to them by the white men, to report it to him through their agents, and he would have it attended to; not to retaliate, as that would bring trouble, and the white man was the strongest. He had heard from Governor Faulk and their agents of their good conduct, and he would try to have them rewarded for it; he had no money to give them now, but he would ask Congress to appropriate money to pay them. The President desired that there should be peace between the whites and the Indians, and that the Indians should be at peace among themselves. He hoped that they would plough and plant their lands and live peaceably and happily.
Governor Faulk and Delegate Burleigh then pointed out one who had been General Sully's guide, and two who had travelled 260 miles to a hostile tribe and found how many captives they had and brought back word to them, and they were ransomed.
The Secretary thanked them warmly for this evidence of their good will, and said they should be suitably rewarded.
Longfoot then presented a pipe and war shirt to the Secretary. These presents were ornamented with much ingenuity with porcupine quills, beads, &c., and are regarded among them as valuable presents, as they really are.
The interview was of a very interesting character.
June 12, 1867: Washington Chronicle: [Dakota: Sisseton, Wahpeton]
Lost and Found.
$100 Reward.--On Sunday Night, February 24, one of the Indians belonging to the Sisseton and Warpeton Sioux delegation disappeared from the Barracks, corner of New York Avenue and Nineteenth Street, and has not been heard from. Said Indian is about forty years old, and about five feet six inches high, and wears his hair cropped. He had on when he left satient? pants, laced shoes, striped flannel shirt, and wore a green three-point blanket. The above reward will be paid to any person returning said Indian to the aforesaid Barracks, or giving such information as will lead to his recovery, by applying to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs or to Benjamin Thompson, Special Agent, no. 64, Kirkwood House."
June 22, 1867: Daily National Intelligencer: [Pawnee, Ponca, Potawatomi, Sac & fox]
The Visiting Indians.--The Indian Bureau may just now deem itself complimented by an unusual assemblage here of visiting Indians, representing as many as four tribes, and each on business proper to itself. Besides the sixteen Pawnees, who, with their interpreter, paid a visit of ceremony on Wednesday afternoon to the Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs, there have arrived five Sacs and Foxes from the Nemaha country, in the south of Nebraska. On Wednesday evening there were added to the list nine Pottwawatomies, from the borders of the Kansas river, and seven Puncahs, of whom five are full Indians and two half-breeds. These Indians are all staying at Mrs. Maher's hotel, and in their peregrinations about the streets lend an additional feature of interest to the many others with which our city abounds.
Dec. 21, 1867: Evening Star: [unid., mixed]
Indians coming.--About the first of January several delegations of Indians from various tribes in the far West will arrive in the city for the purpose of consulting and making treaties with the Indian Bureau. Some of the chiefs expected are entirely uncivilized, and decorate with paint, feathers, rings, and all the paraphernalia of savages.
NOTE: The following articles appeared in 1872 but refer to an incident in 1867 when Miss Amanda Barber, working in Washington, D.C., married Squatting Bear, a delegate. She went West with him, and returned East in 1872.
[1867]: NewYork Times (July 4, 1872): [Dakota: Brule (Yankton Agency)]
FIVE YEARS A SQUAW. How the Romance of Indian Life was Taken Out of a Massachusetts White woman--Return of Miss Amanda Barber from the Brule Teepees.
The Kansas City (Mo.) Times has the following particulars of a story briefly narrated by telegraph:
The steamer "Fontenelle" arrived at this city, yesterday morning, after a three-months' trip to Fort Benton and the mountains. Among her miscellaneous cargo of robes, furs, peltries and Nebraska corn, was a female names Miss Amanda Barber, who, in a fit of fanatical romance, offered herself, in 1867, as a voluntary missionary to the Brule Sioux, then occupying the territory between the Cheyenne River, and the Big Horn mountains, Dakotah Territory. Miss Barber created quite a sensation in the Eastern States by her marriage with a young Indian named Squatting Bear, who accompanied a party of Sioux to Washington in 1867. Miss Barber was at that time a clerk in one of the Departments at Washington, in a position secured for her by Geo. Butler, before the impeachment "fiasco". According to her own statement, made yesterday to our reporter, she was firmly impressed with the ideality and perfection of the red men of the plains. She had read everything relating to the Indian tribes, from the reports of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs down to the latest dime novel. In a fit of enthusiasm or temporary insanity, she offered herself to and became the wife of Squatting Bear, a junior chief in the Lone Horn band of Brule Sioux, and with him and his party returned to the Yankton Agency, where she was duly initiated into her new life as a white squaw. her romantic ideas of Indian life seemed to have received a terrible shock since her introduction to her new home and relations, and though she endeavored to fulfill her mission as a teacher and missionary to the best of her ability, her progress appears to have been as slow as the progress of civilization on the plains.
She states that her first great surprise was being required to mount upon a wild, vicious pony, and travel without saddle or attention over the country from the Missouri to the White Earth River, a distance of several hundred miles. Her inability to make the journey provoked mirth among her husband's companions, and finally exasperated Squatting Bear until he bound her with a rope to the pony's back and led the animal himself, on the westward trail. She was still more surprised to find her husband possessed of two other wives, one a vicious, dirty squaw of forty years of age, the other a girl of scarcely fourteen years.
Her life in his wigwam, or "teepee," was not so bright and happy as she expected it would be. Her husband's absence was taken advantage of by her rivals to compel her to perform the vilest drudgery, such as gathering wood, cooking meat, and scraping robes for the tanning process, but during Squatting Bear's presence at home Miss Barber appears to have been better treated. Her husband, in a violent fit of passion, killed his oldest squaw during the first year she was with the tribe, when, [sic - sentence] without warning or notice, she was hurried-off to the main camp of the Brules, three days' journey toward the mountains, and from thence she accompanied the tribe on its annual buffalo hunt, where she became sick from exposure and fatigue. She was left at a temporary drying camp at Rawhide River, where she attempted to escape by walking to Fort Fetterman, a distance of sixty miles. For this attempt she was beaten until nearly dead, and then sold by her husband for three ponies to a Cheyenne Chief, who sported the expressive "soubriquet" of Coo-Coose, or Baconsides. She was taken north in 1870, and has remained with the Cheyennes ever since, until her escape this Spring, when she made her appearance at and claimed the protection of the authorities at Fort Benton.
Miss Barber conversed with our reporter without diffidence, and answered any question asked of her. She says that, so far as the romance of the Indian life is concerned, she found none of it. Her efforts to teach and reform the young Indian children were treated with indifference and contempt. She learned the Sioux language easily, but the Cheyenne dialect was harder to acquire. She has a much higher opinion of the Cheyennes than of the Sioux. The latter tribe she says are to blame for nearly all the thieving and murdering done in the white settlements. She found it necessary to paint and color like the rest of the tribe while she was with them, and twice witnessed the murder or execution of white men, once a soldier belonging to the Thirty-second United States Infantry, who had been taken while out hunting, who was burnt and scalped; the others were two teamsters brought from Fort McPherson. All three were burnt at a place called "Saddler's Hill," in the Nebraska "Bad Lands." Miss Barber asserts that there will be no peace while white men intrude into the Buffalo range or tempt the cupidity of the Indians by bringing stock and valuables out into the exposed frontier settlements. The Indians have the greatest contempt for the white men's judgment and the efficacy of the soldiers.
Miss Barber left the steamer "Fontenelle" at this port, and after a few hours' rest, started on her way to the home of her friends, at Milford, Mass.
[1867]: Philadelphia Inquirer (July 4, 1872): [Dakota: Brule]
The Case of Mrs. Squatting Bear.
When the late Dr. John K. Mitchell wrote the charming song "Oh fly to the Prairie, sweet maiden, with me," he little thought of the mischief which he had already done. He did not imagine that there might be romantic young women willing and anxious to take his advice. Certainly he never would have written that song could he have forseen the fare of Mrs. Squatting Bear, nee Amanda Barber, whose mournful story is told in the Kansas City Times. That amiable young woman in her pleasant cottage home at Milford, Massachusetts, had possibly prepared her mind for a romantic estimate of the character of the gentle savage by reading Cooper's novels, supplemented by the more thrilling productions of Sylvanus Cobb and Ned Buntline. In her tender heart were planted high principles of admiration of the noble red man, toward whom it seemed to her it would be the height of felicity could she occupy the charming position of a pale-faced bride. How it was that the high cast Indian, Squatting Bear, turning aside from the chase of the buffalo and the pursuit of whisky under difficulties, discovered this lovely lily which bloomed for him, history has not recorded. At all events, in his gayest blankets, his brightest paint, his most formidable necklace of bear's claws, and a fine array of scalps, this noble red man sought the bower of the fair Miss Barber, and, with winning words, woed her to become the chieftain's bride. She went out among the Brule Sioux in 1867 as a missionary. Her heavenly task was no doubt, according to her own idea, the reformation of the Sioux Indians and their gradual conversion to the ways of civilization. But, alas, when the charming Mrs. Squatting Bear arrived at the noble lodge of her refined husband in Dakota she found that from the high position of a chieftain's bride she had suddenly sunk to the lowest state of an ordinary squaw.
Mr. Bear understood enough of the English language to know that Mrs. Bear had promised to love, honor and obey, and when he ordered her to gather wood and split it for the lodge fire, to bring home the carcass of the buffalo which he had killed, and to act in the menial capacities usual with the Indian wife, he asked nothing more than that which, according to the marital code of the Sioux, was perfectly regular. Need we wonder that he was astonished when this high-spirited young woman intimated that instead of carrying water from a distance or pounding corn she would prefer to take a plate of ice cream and play a tune on the piano. Such ideas were utterly ridiculous, and the best way to exorcise them out of Mrs. Bear was to bear her. Accordingly she was beaten, and attempting to run away was caught, brought back and beaten much more, and then Mr. bear appealed to the Divorce laws of his tribe and sold the lovely Amanda to a Cheyenne chief for three ponies. For missionary purposes the Cheyennes were as good subjects for the conviction as the Sioux, but whether the late Mrs. Amanda Squatting Bear attempted anything in line is unknown. At all events, after about five years experience of the happiness of aboriginal matrimony she escaped and has gone home to her native Massachusetts, where it is hoped she will give the young women some good advice in regard to Indian marriages. Her case ought to be a warning to all the novel-reading young women of the United States, and teach them that the surest chances of happiness in married life are to be found by union with solid, industrious, prosaic and unromantic men.
[1867] Oregonian (July 17, 1872) [Dakota: Brule]
Cured of Sentimental Nonsense.
A contemporary gives the history of Miss Amanda Barber (mentioned a few days ago in our telegraphic dispatches), as follows:
Miss
Amanda Barber was a clerk in one of the Departments in Washington in
1867, devoting daily six hours to her official duties and the balance to
novel reading. She was particularly interested in Cooper's works, and
determined to become, at the first favorable opportunity, a second
Minnehaha. The visit of an Indian delegation to the "Great Father" at
the White house gave Miss Amanda that longed-0for chance. Squatting
Bear--one of the delegates--looked for all the world to Amanda as the
original of Longfellow's Hiawatha, and forthwith she insisted upon
marrying him, indifferent to the fact that he already had two wives.
She went west, where she was assigned to a rude tent already occupied by
Mrs. Squatting Bears Nos. 1 and 2. Here she attempted to Christianize
the noble red men, but her success was not brilliant, owing to the fact
that she understood English only, and the Sioux were entirely ignorant
of it. According to her own story her pupils would gamble, would cheat,
would lie would steal, would drink, and would not keep Sunday. She
toiled on and on, but without result. Moreover, whenever her husband
went off on a scout, his two other wives imposed the most menial duties
upon her. In vain she tried to read the bible to them; they preferred
to have her scrape buffalo robes, and gather wood, and cook food; and
they made her do it. Her life was varied by a grand spectacular
entertainment in the shape of the burning alive of a white soldier.
Soon after, Squatting Bear, in a fit of passion, killed his oldest wife
and beat a hurried retreat. Miss Barber fell sick, and was left at a
temporary camp, from which she fled and tried to walk sixty miles to
Fort Fetterman. She was speedily caught. When Hiawatha beat her over
the head she turned to him the other cheek also, but failed to soothe
his savage spirit by this act of Christianity. He knocked her down and
stamped upon her, and performed an extempore war dance on her, and
finally, after she had crawled away, sold her for three ponies to a
Cheyenne chief, Bacon Sides. This was in 1870. For the next two years
her life was one of infinite degradation. She was treated as a mere
animal, doomed to toil without ceasing, and made to yield implicit
obedience to the whims of her owner, under penalty of brutal
punishment. While with the Cheyennes she was compelled to witness the
torture of two teamsters from fort McPherson, who were burned alive by
their captors. Three weeks ago she appeared at Fort Benton, and was
taken care of by the officers' wives there. Her wretched attire was
exchanged for decent clothing, and she was sent down the Missouri on her
way to her old home at Milford, Massachusetts, where she probably is by
this time.
OF POSSIBLE INTEREST to 1867 or poss. 1866 delegations:
JUNE 16, 1880 Post [Osage]
The Great and Little Osages.
In the Senate, yesterday, was taken up an act to carry into effect the second and sixteenth articles of the treaty between the United States and the Great and Little Osage Indians, proclaimes January 21, 1867.
Pending the passage of the latter bill, Mr. Pendleton said that he considered it his duty to inform the Senate that under a certain clause of this bill, he had been informed that a claim of $180,000 for services in selling these lands for the Indians and negotiating treaties, could be settled by the Secretary of the Interior.
Mr. Voorhees said that this was not the object of the bill, and he had read a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, stating that the claim of Col. Adair could not be settled under the bill.
Mr. Booth objected to the further consideration of the bill and it went over, but subsequently said that the clause in the Osage Indian bill was not liable to the construction which he thought, and so he withdrew his objection.
The bill was then passed.