1874 Delegations
President in 1874: Ulysses S. Grant
Commissioner of Indian Affairs in 1874: Edward Parmelee Smith
Jan. 12, 1874: Evening Star: [Cherokee, Creek, Seminole]
More Indians Coming.--A delegation of Seminole, Creek, and Cherokee Indians, from the Indian territory, left St. Louis Saturday night, on their way to Washington. Another party were to leave this morning.
Jan. 12, 1874: Critic Record: [Cherokee, Creek, Seminole]
It is reported that a delegation of Seminole, Creek, and Cherokee Indians are coming on to Washington to see the Great Father. Perhaps this will afford an opportunity to make another trial in the selection of a Chief Justice.
Jan. 15, 1874: Evening Star: [Cherokee]
A number of Indians from the Cherokee Nation have arrived here under summons in the case of Judge J. W. Wright, charged with forgery of names of Indians to back pay vouchers and this morning they reported at the office of Judge Fisher, District Attorney. The case will be called in the Criminal Court on Monday next.
March 2, 1874: Evening Star: [Cherokee, Creek, Seminole]
Civil Rights Meeting.--A meeting was held Saturday [Feb. 28] evening in Mr. Geo. T. Downing's residence, Capitol Hill, and was called by the national Civil Rights Council to give audience to a delegation representing the Creek, Cherokee and Seminole Indian tribes, who have in their midst a large number of colored persons. Addresses were made by a number of the Indians. There were present as guests, Wendell Phillips, ex-Senator Foote, of Mississippi; Hon. Mr. Bell, of Texas; Rev. Alex. Crummell, D. D.; Professor Reeves, of Howard University, and several other distinguished persons.
March 29, 1874: Washington Chronicle: [Osage] GET COPY
[paraphrased] Agent Isaac T. Gibson: Thursday [26th] they [visited?] Capitol, Friday they saw the president, and also met Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Object of visit to hae voice in management of own affairs, especially in use of money, such as Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, Seminoles and Chickasaws do.
Names: Joseph Paw-ne-no-gosh, governor; Nopah-wah-la; Big Chief; Wah-te-in-hah [transcriber could not tell if Big Chief and Wah-te-in-hah are one or two people]; White Hair; Black Dog; Strike Axe; Che-to-pos; Hard Rope; Paul Aben [?] interpreter.
April 8, 1874: Critic Record: [Osage]
The Osage Indians, who have been here for some time talking with their "father," Commissioner Smith, received only cold comfort, and left for their home very much dissatisfied and disgusted. They were men of superb physique, but, with two exceptions, their countenances were repulsive in the extreme. They were possessed of far greater shrewdness than is usually found among their race, and put forward their claims with all the chic that a white man would have under similar circumstances. Their leader or interpreter, "captain," was a superb looking man, and talked very fairly, bringing out facts and figures to prove his assertions. The Indians were entertained, we are told, by mr. Williard efore leaving his hotel.
Sept. 5, 1874: Critic Record: [Omaha]
A delegation of Omaha Indians, numbering ten chiefs and head men, arrived in this city yesterday, in charge of Indian Agent Gillingham. The principal object of their visit relates to the sale of a portion of their reservation to the Winnebagos.
Nov. 23, 1874: Evening Star: [Chippewa]
[NOTE: SEE NEG. 469-c]
A Delegation of nine chiefs of the Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa Indians had an interview with the commissioner of Indian affairs on Saturday, in which they proposed to cide [sic] the country occupied by them in Dakota, and move anywhere else, if properly compensated, and if this is not accepted they want their present lands defined and marked as their own.
Nov. 25, 1874: Critic Record: [Navaho]
Indian Delegation Coming to Washington.
Chicago, Ill., Nov. 25.--A special dispatch from Denver says that ex-Governor Arnay [sic], the Indian agent at Fort Defiance, arrived here last night, with fifteen Navajoe Indians, mostly chiefs, en route for Washington. This is the first deputation of this tribe that has visited the Great Father. They have a three-fold object in going to Washington--first to trade a strip of land sixty by twenty miles on the north edge of their reservation, known as the San Juan Mining Company's for an equal area in the pastorial [sic] regions further south. Second, to settle the dispute growing out of the treaty made by General Sherman in 1868. Third, to demand redress, for the killing, last Summer, of three Navajoes by Lee, the Mormon leader of the Mountain meadow massacre. One squaw is with the delegation. Gou[v]ernor Arnay is exhibiting the articles they have brought here.
Nov. 28, 1874: Evening Star: [Navaho]
More Indians Coming to Washington.--Ex-Governor Arny, Indian agent at Fort Defiance, arrived in St. Louis yesterday from New Mexico with a delegation of Navijo [sic] Indians, consisting of Manuelito, principal war chief, his wife and son, his chief counselor and seven other chiefs; also, Wm. H. Manderfield, editor of the Santa Fe New Mexican, and two interpreters, en route to Washington to have a talk with the President relative to changing a strip of land, thirty by sixty miles, in the northern part of their reservation, which is known as the San Juan country, for a tract of agricultural and pastoral land bordering their reservation on the south. Also, to adjust some of the difficulties growing out of the treaty made with them in 1848, and to ask redress of the government for the alleged murder of three of their tribe last summer by Mormons who were trying to found a colony in Arizona.
Nov. 28, 1874: [Baltimore] Sun: [Navaho]
Pastorally Inclined Savages.
St. Louis, Nov. 27.--Ex-
Governor Arny, Indian agent at Fort Defiance, arrived here to-day from New Mexico, with a delegation of Navajo Indians, consisting of Manueto, principal war chief, his wife and son; his chief counselor and several other chiefs; also Wm. H. Manderfield, editor of the Santa Fe New Mexican, and two interpreters, en route to Washington to have a talk with the President relative to changing a strip of land, sixty by thirty miles, in the southern part of their reservation, which is known as the San Juan country, for a tract of agricultural and pastoral land bordering their reservation on the south. Also to adjust some difficulties growing out of the treaty made with them in 1848 and to ask redress of the government for the murder of three of their tribe last summer by Mormons who were trying to found a colony in Arizona.
Nov. 30, 1874: Evening Star: [Navaho]
The Navajo Indians, who are en route to Washington, laid their grievances before General Sherman at St. Louis, who received them cordially, but told them that the great father at Washington was the only person having the power to arrange their affairs.
Dec. 1, 1874: Evening Star: [Navaho]
Indians Bound For Washington.--It has been mentioned that ex-Governor W. F. M. Arny, Indian agent at Fort Defiance, and a deputation of fifteen Navajoes, were en route to Washington. Western papers say they have a good deal of baggage, and in this respect, as well as many others, are unlike Indians generally. They are neatly dressed, in goods of their own fabrication. Next to Gov. Arny, of course, Manuelito, head war chief, is the most distinguished member of the party. Next to him is Cayantanito second war chief. The others are named as follows:--Juanito Pal-ti-to, wife of Manuelito; Manuelito Segundo, son of Manuelito; Barbea Hueras, chief councilor; Marriano, second councilor; Cubra Negra, chief; Tene-su-se, chief; Narbono Primero, chief; Carnero Mucho, chief; Ganado Mucho, chief; Huebo Cla-hia, chief; Jesus Alviso, interpreter, Hank Easton, interpreter. The Navajoes are engaged enclusively in peaceful pursuits. They are honest, industrious and--best of all--decent in their habits, in which, it is needless to say, they are not comparable with redskins generally. Their object or mission here is threefold. In the first place, they want to trade a slip of land, sixty by thirty miles, on the north edge of their reservation, and embracing a part of what is called the San Juan country, for a strip of land equally large on the south of the reservation, in an agricultural and pastoral region. This sort of a dicker, if consummated, would, as intended by Gov. Arney, open up to the whites a section amazingly rich in the precious metals, and, at the same time, separate the Utes and Navajoes, and thus permit neighborhood quarrels. In the second place, they desire the adjustment of some complications growing out of the treaty made with them by General Sherman in 1848. And, third, and last, they will demand some redress for the alleged murder, last summer, of three of their tribe by the Mormons who tried to found a colony in Arizona, which murder the Mormons deny.
Dec. 3, 1874: Evening Star: [Navaho]
The Delegation of fifteen Navajo Indians, fully described in The Star a day or two since, arrived in Washington yesterday from New Mexico, accompanied by their agent, ex-Governor Arney. They want to exchange the northern part of their reservation, where mines have been discovered, for a strip of pasturage territory on the south, and also desire to present sundry grievances, including the alleged killing of some of their tribe by miners recently. The Navajoes, although they were not subdued without great difficulty, some twelve years ago, are now all pastoral in their habits, and own about 130,000 sheep and 10,000 horses. The tribe numbers about eleven thousand souls, nine thousand being on and two thousand off the reservation. Their annuities under treaty stipulations amount to $65,000 per year.
Dec. 3, 1874: Critic Record: [Navaho]
The Navajoes.--Governor Arny and a delegation of Navajo Indians, from New Mexico, arrived yesterday, and are stopping at the Tremont House. Among the Indians is Manuelito Chaves, principal chief, (named after Col Manuel Chaves,) and his son and one of his wives, Juanita. All the rest are prominent men of their tribe. These are some of the most intelligent looking Indians that have visited the National Capital, and Juanita is, for an Indian woman, quite handsome. Manuelito is well known here by General Roberts and many other army officers to be one of the bravest Indians of the Western prairies.
The tribe is not increasing. About five years ago, they were more numerous than they are now. Several thousands of them died while they were on the Fort Sumner reservation. They have not brought many of the beautiful Navajo blankets that their women know so well how to make.
Their costume is very simple, consisting of a common blanket and very little more. As they have changed climate without changing fashion, they have all caught very bad colds.
To-day they were taken to Georgetown and through some of the Departments.
Dec. 4, 1874: Evening Star: [Navaho]
The Navajoe Indians to-day and yesterday strolled around the city sight-seeing. Their costumes of red blankets and leggings, with beads decorated with the modern stove-pipe hat, gave them a rather novel appearance. These Indians are of the pure aboriginal type. Manuelito, the old war chief, is very sociable. They all have high cheek bones, straight black hair, and are of a deep copper color. They dress entirely in goods of their own manufacture. Each one wears a silver belt about his waist, weighing from four to six pounds, also silver ornaments about the neck adorned with fossil beads. The chief wears black buckskin pants, with the sides of the legs ornamented with dashing silver buttons. The Navajoes live in "hogans," or tents formed of poles united together at the top, resembling the skeleton of a lady's hoopskirt, in vogue not long ago. These tents are open in summer, and in the winter the inmates are protected by a covering of earth. The interpreters, Alviso, Taylor and Easton are characters. The later is famillarly known among mountaineers as "Wild Hank," and is the reputed hero of many daring exploits among the "wild cavalry of the plains" and the huge grizzlies of the mountain canons [?]. Taylor is known to fame as "Rocky Mountain Bill."
Dec. 5, 1874: Critic Record: [Navaho]
The Navajo Indians.--Gov. Arny and his delegation of Navajo Indians paid a visit to the ladies' fair of Waugh Church, on Wednesday evening [Dec. 2]. The delegation was headed by Manuelito, principal chief, and his brother, Calletanito. Manuelito's son, and his wife, Juanita, accompanied the delegation.
The Governor made some interesting remarks in regard to the Navajos, and believes that they are a branch of the Aztec race. They are much advanced in civilization, and are a pastoral people, having large herds and flocks.
Specimens of their blankets were shown, which are unexcelled for close and smooth finish and durability. The Indians were in their full dress, with ornaments of silver in their belts and leggings. The Governor is making great efforts to educate them, and it is to be hoped that he may be successful. They are much pleased with all they have seen, and with the kind treatment they have received from the people they have met. They received a few little presents at the fair, that they seem to appreciate highly.
Dec. 10, 1874: Evening Star: [Navaho]
The President's Talk With The Navajoes.--Secretary Delano, Commissioner Smith and Governor Arny, accompanied by a delegation of Navajo Indians and interpreters, visited the Executive mansion to-day and had a long conference with the President. The Indians laid before the President a series of complaints relative to their lands, their children held in captivity by their enemies in New Mexico, and depredations committed by Mormons and miners prospecting for gold. The President listened very patiently, and in reply referred the delegation to the Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, whom he said would take the necessary steps to right their wrongs. The President also gave the Indians some good advice relative to their own conduct. Among other things he advised them to stay upon their reservations, cultivate their lands, and fit themselves and their descendants to become citizens of the United States.
Dec. 29, 1874: Evening Star: [Dakota]
Red Cloud and His Sioux Want Another Trip East.--The Commissioner of Indian Affairs yesterday received an urgent petition from Red Cloud to be allowed to come on here with forty Sioux adherents, and settle up all the troubles about the Black Hills reservation and hunting on the Platte river, &c., both Commissioner Smith replied that on account of the want of funds to pay the expenses of the would-be negotiators their proposition must be declined.