No. 324.
Mr. Evarts to Sir Edward
Thornton.
Department of State,
Washington, November 14,
1879.
Sir: Referring to previous correspondence on
the same subject, I now have the honor to invite your attention to the
statements contained in the inclosed copy of a report, dated the 25th
ultimo, of Mr. N. S. Porter,
[Page 498]
Indian agent of the United States at Fort Peck Agency, in relation to
the British half-breeds and Sitting Bull’s men, who are now intruding
upon the Crow Reservation in Montana Territory. Complaints as to the
incursions of British Indians and half-breeds from the Dominion of
Canada have recently been repeated so frequently that they have become
exceedingly embarrassing, and the circumstances above mentioned afford
an additional reason for endeavoring to reach some practical solution of
this vexatious problem.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Porter to
Mr. Hayt.
United States Indian Service, Fort Peck, Indian
Agency,
Fort Buford,
Dak., October 25,
1879.
Sir: In answer to your telegraph dated 18th
instant, I have the honor to make the following explanation:
Half-breeds are camped on the west side of my reservation, and to my
orders to leave they claim to be on Belknap Reservation, and think
to the order of that agent they would claim to be on my agency. They
say that if they are moved it will be by force, and that they will
return as soon as force leaves.
Would further report a larger number of Sitting Bull’s men near them,
and as there is upwards of 250 families of half-breeds you will see
the necessity of military; which I will call from Fort Assinnaboine,
as that is the nearest post to them, the honorable Commissioner
having given permission in above referred-to telegraph.
As soon as the annuity goods are issued, I will visit that camp in
person.
Major Walsh writes me on 13th instant, a copy of which I inclose.
Very respectfully, &c.,
N. S. PORTER,
United States Indian
Agent.
[Inclosure 2.]
Major Walsh to
Mr. Porter.
Wood Mountain, October 13, 1879.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your favor of 4th instant, and in reply would say that I
believe all the half-breeds on Milk River are Canadians, and
entitled to take up land on this side of the line. Our government is
anxious to have the people abandon the chase and commence
agricultural pursuits, but I am of the opinion that this cannot be
accomplished so long as they are allowed to hunt in the Milk River
country.
I have, &c.,
