THE INDIANS WARNED.



No part of these operations are on or near the Sioux reservation.
The accidental discovery of gold on the western border of the
Sioux reservation'and the intrusion of our people thereon have
not caused this war, and have only complicated it by the uncer-
tainty of numbers to be encountered. The young warriors love
war, and frequently escape their agents to go to the hunt or war
path-their only idea of the object of life. The object of these
military expeditions was in the interest of the peaceful parts of
the Sioux nation, supposed to embrace at least nine-tenths of the
whole, and not one of these peaceful treaty Indians has been
molested by the military authorities."
  Of the hostile Indians referred to by the Secretary
of War, Hon. E. P. Smith, Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, reported Nov. 1st, 1875 :-" It will probably
be found necessary to compel the Northern non-
treaty Sioux, under the leadership of Sitting Bull,
who have never yet in any way recognized the United
States Government, except by snatching rations occa-
sionally at an agency, and such outlaws from the
several agencies as have attached themselves to these
same hostiles, to cease marauding and settle down, as
the other Sioux have done, at some designated point."
  Soon afterwards, Indian Inspector E. C. Watkins
addressed the Commissioner respecting these Indians,
as follows:-" The true policy in my judgment is to
send troops against them in winter, the sooner the
better, and whip them into subjection. They richly
merit punishment for their incessant warfare and their
numerous murders of white settlers and their fami-
lies, or white men whenever found unarmed."
  Early in December, by the advice of the Secretary
of the Interior, Commissioner Smith directed that
runners be sent out to notify " said Indian Sitting
Bull, and others outside their reservation, that they
must move to the reservation before the 31st day of
January, 1876; that if they neglect or refuse so to



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