SCOTT, Secretary of State to his excellency the governor-general relative to the supposed intentions of “Sitting Bull” and his followers to invade United States territory, February 11, 1878

Memorandum upon the dispatch of 4 th February, 1878, from Her Majesty’s minister at Washington to his excellency the governor-general relative to the supposed intentions of “Sitting Bull” and his followers to invade United States territory.

The undersigned, fully realizing the consequences which might result from “Sitting Bull” and other Indians making Canadian territory a basis for hostile operations against the United States, has taken every precaution to prevent such a possibility.

The United States Indians who have crossed the boundary and taken refuge in British territory can purchase ammunition only by permit granted by officers of the mounted police, and those permits are limited to the actual requirements of the Indians for killing buffalo for food. Outposts are stationed at convenient distances between the mounted-police post at the Cypress Hills (Fort Walsh) and the Indian camps, and the Indians have been informed, beyond the possibility of misunderstanding, that they can expect nothing whatever from the Queen’s Government exeept to be protected so long as they remain peaceable and observe the laws of the country; that their claim to be British Indians is denied, and that the Queen’s Government look upon them all as United States Indians, who have taken refuge in British territory, and that if they cross the line and engage in hostilities against the United States they will forfeit all claim to protection.

Copy of a letter dated the 17th October, 1877, from Lieutenant-Colonel McLeod, commissioner of the northwest mounted police, to the United States commissioners, conveying to them the result of an interview which he held with the Indians after the failure of negotiations, is annexed hereto.

Upon receipt of the dispatch of the 19th January last, from Sir E. Thornton to his excellency the governor general, the undersigned communicated by telegraph with the commissioner of the mounted police, and has already transmitted to his excellency a telegram and a letter from that officer in reply to his inquiries. He has now the honor to transmit copy of a telegram from the assistant commissioner, dated Fort Walsh, February 2, in which that officer reports that he was with Sitting Bull on the 1st instant, gives the number of lodges of United States Indians in Canadian territory states that there is no foundation for the rumors that the Assiniboines and Yanktons are joining in bands, nor yet in the rumor that Sitting Bull intends to move south.

The undersigned has given instructions for periodical reports to be furnished to him of the movements of these United States Indians, and will cause everything of importance contained therein to be communicated to his excellency for transmission to Washington.