Office of the Historian

No. 312.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. West.

Department of State,
Washington, September 28, 1883.

Sir: With reference to your note of the 25th of July last, in relation to the alleged stealing of horses from Canadian territory by South Piegan Indians, and the subsequent correspondence on the subject, I now have the honor to transmit herewith for your information a copy of a report to the Interior Department by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, from which it appears that twenty of the horses in question have been recovered and delivered to the military authorities, to be turned over to the proper Canadian officers.

I have, &c.,

FRED’K T. FRELINGHUYSEN.
[Page 534]
[Inclosure.]

Mr. Price to Mr. Teller.

Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Affairs,
Washington, September 15, 1883.

Sir: Referring to office report of the 1st instant relative to a communication to the State Department from the British minister concerning the alleged stealing of horses from the Canadian territory by American Indians, I have the honor to inclose herewith, for such action as the Department may deem appropriate, an extract from the report of Agent W. L. Lincoln, of the Fort Belknap agency, Montana, from which it appears that a party of North Assinniboines (British Indians), with fifty head of horses, stolen from north of the line, came to his agency a few weeks ago; that he recovered twenty of these horses and turned them over, to the military authority, and presumes the military turned them over to the British authorities.

The agent also says that he furnished the names of the parties who did the stealing, in order that the British authorities might have all the data to punish the marauders if they so desire.

Very respectfully, &c.,

H. PRICE,
Commissioner.
United States Indian Service, Fort Belknap Agency, September 4, 1883.

Hon. Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
Washington, D. C.:

* * * * * * *

A party of North Assinniboines (British Indians) came in about two weeks ago, with fifty head of horses, stolen from north of the line. I did not learn of it until 10 o’clock at night. I then ordered my police to arrest the parties and take the horses. During the uight the thieves got wind of my movements, and struck out across the line with thirty of the horses. I recovered twenty of them; the balance got away. One of the parties staid in the camp near by; I had a company of cavalry here, who arrested him and took him to Assinniboine. I also turned over the twenty head of horses to the military. What their action has been I do not know, but presume they turned them over to the British authorities. I gave names of the parties who did the stealing, and if the British authorities desire to punish their marauders they have all the data at hand.

* * * * * * *

Very respectfully, &c.,

W. L. LINCOLN,
United States Indian Agent.