by all the Foreign Diplomats._

This took place at the White House on the evening of June 6th. It
appeared that the President and Mrs. Grant had arranged with General
Parker to give a surprise-party to the Indians, the diplomatic corps,
the cabinet, and other dignitaries. What they intended to do was
supposed to be a great secret, but it leaked out as early as six
o'clock in the afternoon, and many wanted to see the sight.

The carriages of the foreign ministers, secretaries, and attaches of
legations were driven up to the entrance of the White House with the
ladies and gentlemen of the legation; then came the members of the
cabinet and ladies, and some senators and members of Congress. Soon the
Blue, Green and Red Rooms were crowded. The ladies were dressed in
their gayest costumes, and the gentlemen had on their Sunday clothes.

About seven o'clock the entire Indian delegation drove up, with Red
Cloud, Spotted Tail, with his three braves, in open barouches, and soon
shown into the East Room.

This room was brilliantly illuminated, and bouquets of flowers were
scattered around.

General Parker welcomed the Indians, and told them they were to see the
President and his wife and children, and the members of his great
council, the cabinet, and members also of other nations over the big
waters to the President, and have a hand-shake, "How" and talk, if they
wished. Spotted Tail and braves were seated in the end of the Southeast
Room, and Red Cloud and band, with the squaws, along the east side.
Spotted Tail and his party were dressed in blue blankets, white
leggins, and white shirts, and each had a single eagle's feather stuck
in the back of his hair; all their faces had on war-paint, and all the
beads and other trinkets they could pile on, adorned their persons.

Red Cloud, in his paint, looked awful, and he wore a head-dress of
eagle feathers sewed on red flannel. This was trailed down to his feet,
and attracted much notice from its oddity and beauty. Red Dog, his
lieutenant and orator, had a beautiful head-gear, as also did several
others. It would be impossible to describe the different ornaments worn
by these Indians, but they looked as gay as an actor personating
Richard the Third on the stage.

The squaws wore short dresses and high bodies or shirts, and their
cheeks, noses, and foreheads thickly covered with red paint. Both
parties soon set up a lively jabber in Sioux; but General Parker gave a
sign, and a