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Telegram. Washington, D.C, Nov. 13, 1874. To General P H Sheridan
Chicago, Ills,
The subject of your telegram of November Eleventh relative to trials of certain Indians by military commission has been submitted to-day to the Secretary of the Interior and the President. We coincide with you that the opinion of the Department of Justice of June Eighteneenseventythree seems to give full jurisdiction to such Commission over the case named in your telegram. It is Especially desired however that in the selection of the members comprising the Court that you use the most careful judgment. The reason for this you will readily understand.
Lgd? Wen. W. Belknap? Secr'y of War
Official (Lgd)? M.V. Sheridan unclear
Official (Lgd)? Colon Augur unclear
Hdqrs. Mil. Division of the Missouri, Chicago, Ills. Nov, 14, 1874.
My dear Mr. Delana, I am in receipt of your letter of Nov. 10th?. Latanta? has been turned over to the Governor of Texas, but only as I suppose - to serve out his unexpired term in the Penitentiary of Texas. His sentence was commuted, I believe to imprisonment for life and I have no idea that he will be Executed, and if any futher information can be elicited favorable to him, his punishment may be still further mitigated.
I think it would be a good thing to ease down on the parties hostiel at present and during the summer and make the scope of the Miliatary Commision embrace but a few cases; and if you and the Secretary of War will only consent to let me send such as I would like to select for imprisonment or surveillance, to some of the Forts on the seacost, I am sure we can break the war spirit of the tribes Effectually in the way and without shocking any philanthropy sentiment in the country. There would be no objection to let the immediate family of such as were selected, go along. It is very necessary, in fact absolute necessary, and Even demanded by the Indians who remained at peace, that those who went out this summer shall be punished.