PROCLAMATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 340, 14 December 1864, Page 4

PROCLAMATION.

Having sent .special messengers to tlic Indians of the plains, directing the friendly to rendezvous at Fort Lyon, Fort Lamed, Fort Laramie, and camp Collins, for safety and protection, warning them that all hostile Indians would be pursued and destroyed, and the last of the said messengers having now returned, and the evidence being conclusive that most of the Indian tribes of the plains are at war and hostile to the whites, and having to the utmost of my ability endeavored to induce all of the Indians of the plains to come to said places of rendezvous, promising them subsistence and protection, which, with a few exceptions, they have refused to do. !Xow therefore, I John livans, G-overnor of Colorado Territory, do issue this my proclamation, authorizing all citizens of Colorado, either individually or in such parties as they may organise, to go in pursuit of all hostile Indians 011 the plains scrupulously avoiding those who have responded to my said call to rendezvous at the points indicated, also to kill and destroy as enemies of the. country wherever they may be found, all such hostile Indians. And further, as the only reward I am authorised to offer for such services, I hereby empower such citizens, or parties of citizens, to take captive, and hold to their own private use and benefit, all the property of said hostile Indians that they may capture, and so receive for all stolen, property recovered from said Indians, such reward as may be deemed proper and just therefor. 1 further offer to all such parties as will organize under the militia law of the territory for the purpose, to furnish them arms and ammunition, and to present their accounts for pay as regular soldiers for themselves, their horses, their 'subsistence and transportation, to Congress, under the assuranec of tho Department Commander that they will be paid. The conJlict is upon us, and all good citizens arc called upon to do their duty far the defence ot their homes and families. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my liatid and caused tlic great seal of tlic territory of the Colorado to be affixed this 11th day of August, 1804. By the Governor: c , Jonx Evaxs. o. 11. iMberfc, Secretary of Colorado Territory, Saw hvttnclsco Jiullethi. September 1(>.