1869 Delegations
President in 1869: Ulysses S. Grant
Commissioner of Indian Affairs in 1869: Nathaniel G. Taylor (until April 25)
Ely Samuel Parker
Jan. 28, 1869: Alexandria Gazette: [Comanche, Kiowa, unid.]
An Indian delegation are in St. Louis on their way to Washington for the purpose of negotiating a treaty on behalf of the Kiowas, Comanches and other hostile tribes. They request that the military be withdrawn, and that the Indian Agents be removed.
Jan. 28, 1869: Evening Star: [Kiowa, Sauk & Fox]
Several Indian Chiefs representing the Kiowas, Sac and Fox tribes, arrived in this city yesterday, and are quartered at the Washington House. The Kiowas are represented by Nag-ga-rash, To-hee, Ma-hee, Tar-a-kee, Oro-ton-tha-wa, Ki-he-ga, and Elisha Doren [sic], interpreter. The Sacs and foxes by Moless, Sac-a-pee, Ap-pot-po-les-ca, Ko-shi-we, and George Goomes [sic], interpreter. The Chiefs are attired in true aboriginal style, with paint and tomahawks, and are here to treat with the government in regard to the sale of certain lands now owned by the above tribes, and which the Government is desirous of purchasing. The delegation is accompanied by C. H. Norris, Indian agent.
Jan. 29, 1869: Sun [Baltimore]: [Kiowa, Sauk & Fox]
[under heading, Washington, January 28, 1869]
Delegations of Indian chiefs, representing the Kiowas, Sac and Fox tribes, are here on business with the government. They are accompanied by C. H. Norris, Indian agent.
Feb. 2, 1869: Sun [Baltimore]: [Kiowa, Sauk & Fox]
[references the NY Herald]
An Indian Delegation at the Capitol.--
A delegation numbering over a dozen of Kiowa, Fox and Sac Indians, dressed in all the barbarous splendor of paint and feathers, blazing red blankets, clamshells and felt hats, moved through the capitol at Washington one day last week, amid an immense crowd of curious admirers. They seemed to take a deep interest in the picture of De Soto discovering the Mississippi, which is made to adorn the walls of the rotunda. They shuffled with great glee over the red carpet in the marble room, and smiled strangely at finding themselves duplicated front and rear in the huge mirrors. One of the warriors bore a remarkable resemblance to Ben Wade, having a good deal of the same massive jaw and deeply furrowed face peculiar to "the great champion of human rights." He was a Kiowa Indian, and on being introduced to Mr. Wade he grunted forth the gratification at finding among the pale faces one, at least, who filled his ideal of a great and inflexible sachem They seemed very little awed by the size of the capitol, and were moved from their accustomed stolidity more by the red carpets and gay frescoes than by .....----Washington , N.Y. Herald.
[Feb. 11, 1869: Treaty (unratified) signed in Washington, D.C. with the Sauk & Fox and Iowa]
[Feb. 13, 1869: Treaty (unratified) signed in Washington, D.C. with the Oto and Missouri]
Feb. 15, 1869: Alexandria Gazette: [Choctaw]
It is said that the Choctaw Indian Nation has sent to Washington city a delegation, consisting of Mr. Wright, governor of the Nation, Mr. Leflore and their Attorney General, to present to the Government of the U. S. the desire of that nation, to abandon their separate political existence and to become blended as a part and parcel of the great American family. This is the first proposition of the kind ever made by the Indians. The New York Journal of Commerce advises the Choctaw Indians, if they have any money claims to be collected at Washington, to look after the business themselves. There is a powerful lobby at work there, it is intimated, ostensibly for the Choctaws, but in fact for the lobby itself.
[March 9, 1869: Treaty (unratified) signed in Washington, D.C. with the Miami]
March 16, 1869: Daily National Intelligencer: [Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek]
Interview of Indian Delegations with the President.
Wednesday [March 10] afternoon delegates from the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, and Creek Indians visited the president.
The Choctaw delegation was headed by Governor Wright, the Cherokees by Colonel downing, the Chickasaws by Colbert Carter, and the Creeks by Geo. W. Steadman, Esq.
They were introduced to the president by the venerable Colonel Pichlyn, and all shook hands with him.
Governor Wright then addressed the president in behalf of the civilized tribes of the Southern country, saying that they had come to pay their respects, to communicate their confidence in his administration, and to proffer the advice and assistance of the tribes represented, in any way that would tend to serve the best interests of the Indian tribes of the Plains, and conduce to permanent peace between them and the country. To this end Governor Wright presented a memorial prepared some time since, setting forth the views of the delegations, and recommending that the wild tribes be gradually concentrated upon the borders of the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, Cherokee, and Seminole country, where they could be brought under the civilizing influences of those nations, and thereby taught the agricultural and mechanical arts so as to fit them for supporting themselves without the necessity of seeking a precarious existence, as now, by wandering about and disturbing the white settlers on the frontier.
The President said he would be glad for any information that would aid in carrying out a peaceful policy, and secure lasting peace between the whites and the wild tribes in the Indian country. That he would aid to the best of his ability in any scheme that would bring these people into civilization, and make them citizens of the country. How this was to be effected he could not now exactly see. It was well known, that with the extension of the country westwardly, the white settlers would come in contact with these nomadic people, and that peaceable relations between them would be difficult, however kindly the Government might be disposed toward them. He would do all he could, however, to pursue a policy toward the people of the forest that would tend to induce them to accept the arts of civilization.
The delegation then retired.
March 16, 1869: Sun [Baltimore]: [Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek]
[Under heading Washington, March 15]
There was also an immense crowd again at the White House, and the President gave interviews to several individuals and delegations, the latter including Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Creek Indians. After introduction the Indians congratulated the President on his election, and hoped his policy towards the Indians would be one of kindness and conciliation. The President replied stating that he hardly knew at present what would be his policy towards the Indians. That as long as settlers kept moving Westward, conflicts would naturally arise, and he thought the speediest way to secure peace was for the Indian tribes to adopt as soon as possible a civilized mode of life.
March 16, 1869: Richmond Whig: [Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek]
[Under heading, Washington, March 15]
In replying to an Indian delegation to-day, President Grant said that he would aid any scheme that would civilize these people and make them good citizens.
April 30, 1869: Evening Star: [Cherokee]
Commissioner Parker of the Indian Bureau, yesterday had interviews with the Friend agents and superintendents recently appointed, and they received partial instructions preparatory to their departure for the Indian country. A delegation of Cherokees also awaited upon the commissioner with reference to some settlement of the question of the occupation of their lands by some hostile Indian tribes. The bureau will shortly institute an investigation in relation to the frauds practiced upon the Cherokee soldiers in the matter of bounty payments. By a most perfect system of fraud, these soldiers have been swindled out of amounts estimated in the aggregate at several hundred thousand dollars, and it is asserted that this was done with the connivance of Indian agents.
May 29, 1869: Daily National Intelligencer: [Sauk & Fox]
Keokuk, chief of the Sacs and Foxes, attended by his son and Colonel Jones, interpreter, called at the White House and had an interview with the President yesterday.
Nov. 16, 1869: Alexandria Gazette: [Cherokee]
A delegation of the Cherokee nation, still residing in North Carolina, has arrived in Washington with a view to arranging with the Indian Department some plan looking to their removal to the Indian Territory, to which country the bulk of their people transferred the seat of their council some years ago. It is also stated that the delegation will bring up some important matters in relation to certain financial transactions with the Government.
Dec. 13, 1869: Evening Star: [general]
The Indian Bureau has issued orders that Indian delegations shall not visit Washington any more on business, but that such business shall be transacted by their agents.