Details
GRANT, ULYSSES S. President. Autograph manuscript notes, unsigned. Washington, D.C., [2 June 1875]. ½ page, folio, in pencil on a large sheet of lined paper..
PRESIDENT GRANT'S NOTES DURING A MEETING WITH THE SIOUX INDIANS
A most unusual pencilled memorandum by President Grant, with note at the side "written at Council with Sioux by U.S. Grant, 6/2/75" (apparently in the hand of General Cowen, a participant in the conference). Grant writes: "It may be understood definitely that the present treaty, if signed, and ratified by Congress is not to touch the future title to the lands in Nebraska, claimed as conceded lands, or it may be understood to settle for now, or until otherwise disposed of title of the indians to lands north of the divide spoken of in the treaty, and their entire relinquishment of all south of it." The discovery of gold in the Black Hills brought the United States into a renewed conflict with the Sioux nation, who had been promised these lands as inalienable property. In June of 1875 Red Cloud, Spotted Tail, and Little Wound of the Sioux went to Washington to meet with Grant. The President tried to persuade them to accept $25,000 in return for access to the gold-rich hills. The effort proved unsuccessful.
PRESIDENT GRANT'S NOTES DURING A MEETING WITH THE SIOUX INDIANS
A most unusual pencilled memorandum by President Grant, with note at the side "written at Council with Sioux by U.S. Grant, 6/2/75" (apparently in the hand of General Cowen, a participant in the conference). Grant writes: "It may be understood definitely that the present treaty, if signed, and ratified by Congress is not to touch the future title to the lands in Nebraska, claimed as conceded lands, or it may be understood to settle for now, or until otherwise disposed of title of the indians to lands north of the divide spoken of in the treaty, and their entire relinquishment of all south of it." The discovery of gold in the Black Hills brought the United States into a renewed conflict with the Sioux nation, who had been promised these lands as inalienable property. In June of 1875 Red Cloud, Spotted Tail, and Little Wound of the Sioux went to Washington to meet with Grant. The President tried to persuade them to accept $25,000 in return for access to the gold-rich hills. The effort proved unsuccessful.