Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-02-18
From tie 81. Louis Enquirer.
NORTH WESTERN INDIANS.

NORTH WESTERN INDIANS
The following article presents some consi-
de,ations entitled To attention. We are
perhaps IN the habit of thinking too little
OF the great region Of wilderness beyond
the Missouri.
Probable Var NTH the bndians-its, favora-
Die Consequences Of the Amera-
can and Decrease of the Brtt,sh Fur
Traie-greatsr Influence Of the Amers-
caaS.
That the expedition to the mouth Of the
yellow stone will eventuate in producing
war with the Indians bordering on the
Missouri and contiguous TO the settlement
intended to be established, is an opinion
entertained by many. And indeed, were
we to draw conclusions from analogy, and
the past-frum the uniform custom OF all
ages, whether civilized or barbarous, who
have always viewed with jealous eye the
encroachmen,s of contiguous power
from the undue influence possessed by the
British traders over the minds Of the lndi-
ans-lhis opinion seems to attach to itself
more imposing grade of probability than is
ordinarily given to conjecture. What is
conjecture now, will probably one day be
history and perchance the prairies OF the
Missouri will be as famous in history as the
plains of the Alabama.
Government, we understand, has order
ed two regiments to this place one to as
ceni the Mississippi as far as Praire-du-
Chen, the other most probably to the mouth
of the Yellow stone. These measures,
while they eyince forecast OF character
highly creditabe to secretary Calhoun, also
shew the apprehensions of government. In
attacking a hunting party of the Yellow
stone detachment, and other evidences OF
hostility, the indians have given prologue
to the great drama they intend to act; and
il perchance the genius of Tecumseh
should breath its counterpart in the soul OF
some high-minded chieftain, and excite him
10 aim at coalition amongst his brother
kings they could be enabled 10 raise force
that will require large portion OF our
standing army successfully to oppose
item.
They have been driven from the most
extreme east 10 the westerdmost verge OF
this vast ontinent-from the rising towards
the setting sun. For centuries they have
been accustomed to see their territories con-
tract at the touch o, the American people
they have seen their numbers, their in-
auence, and their possessions, dwindle into
nothing, and themselves, the rightful own
ers Of the soil, driven from the resting
place Of their forefathers.
Will they not naturally suspect that an
establishment so far in the heart of their
country is but the prelude to farther en-
croachments? and, believing so, will they
not identify action with belief, and oppose
VIVA; they believe TO be intrusion? II then
beauves the constituted authorities to take
precautionary measures, in order To be pre-
pared orany event 1.-THE war shouldhap-
pen, the result, sooner or later, will he in
u
orr favor. and sl.e more vigorous the Incl
p;cnt operations, he sooner viii they be
DISPOSED TO peace war with the In
dams viii be productive of great injury to
themselves, and of corresponding good to
Us it viii be The means of giving death
blow TO the prospects Of the British iur com
pany,-and it will go to the source OF tha;
fatal British influence amongst the Indians,
SD clearly evinced by the devastation OF
our frontier settlements, and The murder Of
women and children.
The indians will he so greatly rndecei-
we'd, that they viii put no more confidence,
rcpose no more faith on British promises
lit will open their eyes to their real inte-
rests. Cau,ionary posts will be establish
ed a, proper distances, with efficient gar
yisons 70 prevent the North fest and liud-
son Bay companies from entering into any
competition with American traders, and
st. Lnuis instead of Montreal, will become
the focus OF the trade. For an account of
the immense profits derived from which,
we refer our readers TO an interesting arti-
Gle on the fur trade, published in late
number of the Enquirer
1t will make the Indians respect our cha
racter, and il would probably be the last
Indian, war of consequence that we should
be engaged in. And il our soldiers and ira
ders would blend The gentle and humane
Yirtnes with " tho Terrible stern asnncf of