cover possession of the Ponca rescrvation, we make the following siatement

On April 8th, 1879, was filed by us the petition in the case of United States er rel. Ma-chu-nah-zha (Standing Bear) et al. vs. George Crook, a Brigadicr-general of the Army of the United States and Commander of the Departinent of tle Platte, in the U. S. District Court for the District of Nebraska, for n writ of ha beas corus for the release of Standing Bear and his companions This cause was tried abont the first of May, 1879, and Standing Bear and his companions were restored to their liberty. There upon the U. S. District attorney took the case to the United States Cireuit Court for this District by appeal, and about May 19th, upon hearing before Mr. Justice Miller, Associate Justice of the Supreme Conrt of the United States, was there contined, and on January 5tlh, 1880, the appeal was dismissed on the motion of the U. S. District-attorney.

On April 3d, 1880, was commenced by us the case of Ponca tribe of Indians os. Makh-pi-ab-lu-ta, or Red Cloud, in his own behalf, and in behalf of the Sioux nation of ndians, in the U. S Circuit Court for the District of Nebraska, and on May 18th, 1880, we commenced in the same court the case of Ponca tribe of Indiaus cs. Sioux nation of Indianus. These cascs were con menced, and are being prosecuted by us, to recover possession of und establish the title of the Ponca tribe of Indians to so much of their old reservation as lies within the imits of Nebraska. Great detay was made necessary in the comnencement of these cases, and the ones subsequently commenced in Dakota, of which we below ake meation, owing to difficultics in getting scrvice of summons upon the defendants. On May 22d, 1880, service of summons wa1s had on the defendants in both cases, and some actiou wil be taken therein at the next term of the court

About the 20th of May, 1880, there were commenced in Da kota other suits in the name of the Ponca tribe of Indians, and against the Sioux nation of Indians, and against certnin of their chiefs, to settle and establish the title of the Ponca tribe of In dians to so much of their old reservation as lies within the limits of Dakota. Service has been had in these cases, and the several suits mentioned will be prosecuted by us with all convenient speed

We might add that we also have in charge the case of Joln Elk s. Charles Wilkins, in the U. S. Circuit Court for this Dis trict, which is being prosecuted by ns to determine the riglits of