Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-09-27


completely protected; the lives and
property of our citizens have been as
secure as if they hao been in the old set
tied states, whilst at this foint, both
have been sacrificed to, cruel extent,
for the want of the protection so seasonal.
bly, recommended. Let any one look
at the map oil this portion of our country
and he will be perfectly satisfied that had
this important post been occupied, the
lives Of those enterprising and valu able
citizens who have been mastered would
have been saved; and a trade now said
to be worth 3250,oOO completely pro
tected. The first party OF Gen. Ashley
was cut off at the Aurickarees, little
below the Mandan Village; and tina,
under Mr.. Jones and Jjimer, at the mouth
Of the Yellow Stone, about an equal
distance above. The truth is, the lDt1u-
ence of the British traders could only
enter at that point; and had ii been &C.
cupled, the Indians would have been
held IN complete subsection TO our pow
er, free from all foreign control.
But the hour of retribution has at
length arrived The blood of our sacri-
ced citizens cries aloud for vengeance
and hat wicked faction, which, to crafty
its osvn views, has been willing to sacrl-
fee the administration, and the interests
OF the country must sink under the deep
toned indignation of an indignant peo-
pie.
This post will now have to be occupied
~--but not till after such severe losses,
and the hazard and cost of Indian war
besides.
We cannot but notice, with indigns-
ton, the attempt to throw the blame OF
those murders on The government l.
Is SAID the Indians are independents, and
we have ho right TO enter their country,
for any purpose whatever! And that we
have suffered the appropriate penalty
for violating their rights. Who does
not see in this wicked doctrine, an at
tempt virtually to abandon our sovereign
~ over tina, immense country, to foreign
and hostile traders ? If we do not en-
ter, others will. AS wild and savage as
those tribes are which inhabit that i'm
mense region, their wants can only be
satisfied by trade and intercourse with
the whites; and the question is--shali
this be done by american citizens, or the
agents and mem bers of the British fur
companies Whether shall we have
the profit, and control which always at
tend that trade, or those whose interests
must ever be hostile to ours
We forbear further remark, and in
vite the attention of the reader to the fol-
lowing report.-No one we will venture
the assertion, can rise from the perusal
of it, without awarding to the distinguish
cd statesman, who originated and pre-
pared it, the highest concentrations for
foresight and sagacity-and feeling the
that to such a mind the great |
concerns of our county may, with safety |
be entrusted:
Cohy ola letter from the Secretary OIL
Uar to the Chairman ofthe Military
Committee.
DEPARTMENT OF WAR. !
29th Dece m6er, 1919
SIR: In reply TO your letter OF the
-, requesting TO be informed OF the
Expenditures which have been, and which
Are likely to be, incurred i'll flung out
and prosecuting the expedition ordered |
10 the mouth of the Yellow Some, on the |
Missouri River, and of the objects III
tended to be accomplished by the expe-
dition, have the honor to make the fol- |
lowing statement.
The enclosed reports and estimates,
from the Quarter Mas err General, mark
ed Ms. |, 2, 3, 4, and s, with the state
ment OF the duty performed, and that |
which is contemplated, exhibits the ex-
pense Of the expedition up the Missouri,
for the last and the mex succeeding three |
years, with a similar statement in rela-
ton to that on the Mississippi. Though
the last is not referred 10 in your letter,
yet as the two movements constitute a
part Of the same system of measures,
believe that it would not be unaccepta-
bic TO the committee to receive state
ment Of the whole of The expenses in
Cured, or likely to be incurred, in its
execution.
The expedition ordered to the mouth
OF the Yellow Stone, or rather to the
Mandan Village, (for the military occu-
patton of the former, depending on cir
cumstances, is not ye, finally determine
ed on,) is a part Of a system Of measures,
which has for its object the protection OF
our northwestern frontier, and the grea,
extension of our fur trade. 1t is on tina,
frontier only that we have much to fear
from Indian hostilities. The tribes OF