Message of the President of the United States, Communicating a Report of the Proceedings of a Council Held at Fort Pierre by General Harney with a Delegation From Nine Tribes of the Sioux Indians. [With] Council with the Sioux Indians at Fort Pierre. Message from the President . . . Communicating Minutes of a Council Held at Fort Pierre with the Sioux Indians, by General Harney, &c. July 25, 1856.

[Washington, D.C.]: [Government Printing Office], 1856. First editions of both reports, 34th Cong, Ist Sess, Executive Documents #94 & 130. Disbound octavos. 40; 39, [1] pp. Bright and clean.Both reports of this historic treaty council. "Despite the bitter cold endured, in mid-February of 1856, Gen. Harney sent notification to all the Sioux nations in the surrounding area that; “on March 1, 1856, there would be a “Peace Council” at Fort Pierre and all chiefs should attend.” As the day approached groups of Indians began arriving in droves from every direction. An estimated 7,000 Indians gathered at Fort Pierre, 2,500 of which were painted warriors, the remainder were elders, women and children, all living in approximately one thousand tipis’ dotting the short grass surrounding the old Fort. The Council, which lasted five days, took place outside the stockade, with orations from both sides, each extolling the virtues of “peace” and “burying the tomahawk!” When the council had concluded, feasting, singing, dancing, drumming, howling and sipping lasted several days. Although this treaty was never ratified by either side, the factions remained at peace until the “Outbreak of 1862” occurred along the Minnesota River" (South Dakota Capitol Journal).