Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-12-27
Col. LeQven7uorth'S second deshatch 10
Gen atkinson.
Head Quarters, 9th Regiment, !
Fort Atkinson, Oct. %, 1928. )

VIZ +htAihooi, wv ~, AS-c'
Sir,
In addition to my communication,
dated the 2o,h Angus, have now the
honor of making the following minute
and circumstantlal report.
On the l8 h oil June last, M Ior b
O'Fallon, United 5 ates Indian Agent al
this place, showed to ne letter from
Gen. WIN. II. Ashley, directed to him
or to the commanding officer at this
post, informing that the Arca ara 1adisns
had attacked his party at their towns, %
the Missouri river, and had Killed IA
and wounded 10 of his men; and askln.,
for assistance.
Ii became my duty TO decide whether
Gen. Ashley should be Supported by the
Unied States troops at this post or not
Gen. Atkinson, then in command OF the
Western Department, was al Louisville,
K ntucky. The time which would be
required to receive Instructions from that
place, would render it entirely too late
b be of any service to Gen ASHLEY and
il also appeared to be desirable and pro-
per that whatever was done should be
done promptly.
On my beng transferred to the 9th
regiment, | mad omitied 10 take copy
OF the instructions to the commanding
officer at this post, that were handed to
me BY Gen. A|<inson, because believed
them 10 be substantially the same as
received in 1920, after the establishm en-
ot,he military pos at ST. Peters, on the
Mississippi, in 1919. From those IN
slructions beg leave to send you the
following extracts. VIZ:
81 now proceed to give, agreeably to your
request, such instructions as appear to me to
be necessary for your govern nent, observing,
however, that much must be left to youy pru-
Nence and discretion, in which great conf
deuce is placed.
{" The military movement which has been
made up the Mississippi, under your command,
was ordered for the establishment OF posts to
effect two great obiects-the enlarge nent
and protection of the fur trade, and permanent
peace of our Nortii-W estern frontier, by Sc
caring decided control over the various
tribes of Indians in that quarter. These OBJ
iecs will indicate the policy which ought to
be pursued. To such Of our citizens who may
conform to the laws and regulations IN reia-
tOD 10 lllNtiti tiahC anu ihlSiSS tNu u" "a
extend kindness and protection. In relation
TO foreign traders, who, by the act OF Con
eress, are entirely excluded, your conduct, in
the first instance, must be governed by a sound
discretion, to be exercised in each case. No
decisive ep ought, perhaps, to be taken, until
YOUR posts are fully established, and you feel
Yourself secure against the effects ofhosttles;
at which time, notice ought to be given that
after fixed period yoo will rigid! exclude
all trade by foreigners and such as are not
authorized by law.
"Of the two great objects in view, the per-
Ynanent security of our frontier is considered
by far ofthe greatest Importance, and will es-
Decially claim your attention. 1t practicable,
YOU will gain the confidence and affection Of
all the Indian tribes with whom you may have
any intercourse. To prevent hostility on the
part of the Indians, they ought TO be fully i'm
pressed with our capacity to avenge any injury
which they offer US; and it is no less important
that they should be equally impressed with
cur Justice and humanity. These points
grained your course will be plain, md without
difficulty.
The President also directs that you will,
whenever you think the public interest will
be promoted by it, hold treaties of friendship
with the tribes within our limits in which
treaties you will establish such general rules
for the intercourse between them and those
under your command, and such of our traders
or citizens who may visit them. as you may
Judge expedient 1t would be a roper mark
of respect for the Indian agent, and would
probably be attended with good effects. if you
were to associate him with you in the negocia-
ton, whenever it Cain conveniently be done.
(Signed) J. G. CALHOUN"
Such were my instructions wnile in
command on the Mississippi. The OBJ
iects Of the government evidently being
the same on the Missouri river as on the
Mississippi, could not doubt, for mo-
1nent, that i, was my duty to move
promptly, and extend protection" to
Gen. Ashley, and to " impress The In
dams with our capacity 10 avenge ting in.
jury which they have done U.s."