The problem would escalate during the Hayes' administration, under Fish's successor William Evarts.[435]

Federal Indian policy
Main article: Native American policy of the Ulysses S. Grant administration
Further information: Black Hills Land Claim, Black Hills Gold Rush, and Great Sioux War
Ely Samuel Parker appointed by President Grant as the first Native American (Seneca) Commissioner of Indian Affairs
When Grant took office in 1869, the nation's policy towards Native Americans was in chaos, affecting more than 250,000 Native Americans being governed by 370 treaties.[439] Grant's religious faith influenced his "peace" policy toward Native Americans, believing that the "Creator" did not place races of men on earth for the "stronger" to destroy the "weaker".[440] President Grant was mostly an assimilationist, wanting Indians to adopt European customs, education, English language, Christianity, private property, clothing, and to accept democratic government, that would lead to eventual Indian citizenship.[441][442] At Grant's 1869 Inauguration, Grant said "the proper treatment of the original occupants of the land, the Indian, is one deserving of careful study. I will favor any course towards them which tends to their civilization, Christianization and ultimate citizenship.