CHAPTER IX.
PEACE COMMISSIONS OF 1867 AND 1868.
Critical situation in Indian country - Father De Smet, 1867, goes on peace mission to the Sioux - Incidents of the journey - Success of the mission - On way back meets Peace Commission - Invited to accompany them - Illness prevents - Mission of 1868 - Journey to Cheyenne - Father De Smet goes to Fort Rice - Starts in quest of hostile camp - Meeting envoys from same - Arrival at camp-Joyful welcome - The great council - Deputies sent to meet commissioners - Arrival at Fort Rice - Successful council - Father De Smet's great services.
The Indian affairs of the Government were at this time in critical shape and enlisted the constant efforts of the War and Interior Departments to prevent further outrages and to arrive at some peaceful solution of existing troubles. The years 1867 and 1868 were the most important in Father De Smet's life, because of the part which he took in this work of pacification. He had greater influence with the Indians than any other living white man, and the Government was glad to avail itself of his good offices. Early in 1867 the Secretary of the Interior requested him to go to the hostile tribes "to endeavor to bring them back to peace and submission and to prevent as far as possible the destruction of property and the murder of the whites." "I accepted the commission," Father De Smet writes, "there being nothing in it contrary to my duties as a missionary, and with the distinct understanding that I shall not accept any remuneration for my services. I prefer to be altogether independent in money matters, as my only object is to be of use to the whites and still more to the poor Indians."
In his account of his long journey this year Father De Smet gives an excellent summary of the wrongs which the Indians were suffering, and of the savage cruelties which