Show montana exploring expedition the following is secretary del anos letter referring to the exploring expedition into eastern montana as it appears IU in the helena herald washington march 1874 1871 gov B F potts virginia city ar T sir sir referring Ee ferring to the so called exploring expedition which was the subject of tho the departments telegrams of the loth and dinst I 1 have to say that its de departure depar ure urr from bozeman is much to be ba regretted gret ap ted and stringent would have been adopted to prevent it had the facts been sooner known here although the promise made to the mil mii military ilary authorities that the expedition would not dot go upon indian reservations may not be viola ed there I 1 is nevertheless grave apprehension that the movement of such sueh much a formidable organization through the region of country more or less jess trave travelled sed by bands of indians will provoke a collision that may culmer ue tto ina lna in a genera indian war you io earnestly requested to use every overy precaution to avert a disaster whit ai i would render abortive thu the efforts effort now heing b e made with every prospect pros eel eeb ui success not only ifor nur fur a continuance of the friendly relations now existing with the tile reservation indians but for the purpose of f invoking their assistance and influence in p promoting ro a better feeling among tb themore emore intractable sioux tile the department has never entertained a doubt of the loyalty of the crows and J will thank you to inform them that their friendship to the whites is duly appreciated and that it is hoped no events will occur to render their proffered services necessary if however circumstances cum stances should anise arise to require them they may be made available very respectfully your obedient C |