Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-09-12

river about 20 miles, intending 10 fottify ourselves
until we could get assistance fiom the Bluffs the
French boMmen were so panic-siruck they would
listen 10 no termsthey would return and forfeit thei,
wages sooner than remain. Ashley paraded his men,
told them his situation, and called for volunteers
one third, being twenty five. only remained and Of
these one half are bdsln who intend retul ming
VIXEN Henry boat comes down. Out OF one huu-
dred men, the number he left ST. Louis with uues-
ton much whether he will arrive at the yellow
Stone with more than ten, (and of this number hope
to be one ) hiding he could not obtain men enough
to renialn with him sufficient man both boats, he
determined 10 foriily his own-,ake all those on
board VINO were willing tn stay, and those goods only
that might be wan'ed--send the balance of the goods
10 thus place and the large boat ST. Lonis. With
the goods, was left IN change, and shall remain
here until hear from him Henry. | am now
ny water, 2lO miles from the Rcaree towns by
Land, 40. In this fort we have nine men (: it is
strongly picheIed; there are two swyels, each
angle.
Council Bluffs is 600 miles below this, very inju-
dicous place Tor military post. Here, and above
this, IS the spot where the Indians have always been
most troublesome You will hardly believe il. but |
assure You 1t is fact, Indian Agent has never
been above The Bluffs. tIe has mover made hin.sel
known to the Indians in this quarter. They have
been TOLD oi troops, NC. &c. the Bluffs, but they
do not believe II they have never seen more of the
white people than the few traders that come among
them aud each tribe thinks we less hume rous
than they-hey have reason 10 think So having ne
ver been punished for the numerous robberies and
murders committed by them. The hostility of the
Indians may be very easily a,coune ed for Il is hut
SIX OF seven days journey from this place. hut five
from The Ricarees, and but three from the Mandan
Villages 10 the Eusish posts the Red river
nave been told, though cannot youch for its au-
thenuciy, although think ii highly probable from,
'heir determined hostility, that they have erected
! trading establishments withn our territories One
thing ascertain, they not willing we should ri,a
them M this valuable trade. All the injury they eau
do us they Will do. The hostility &c the Ricarees
oiack-leet Snake, Chians aud Assiuiboines, is en-
urely owing 10 the influence of the Northwest Oh
Hudson Bay Company. The late act prohibiting the
safe OF sitnuOus liquors TO the Indians has not thai
good effect which the trainers of il had in view 1t
| was passed without manure debcration and know
ledge OF the circumstances. No act that Congress
| could have passed could have such "a tendency ia
| "gsrand'ze the North West Company. In conse-
quence o this, most Of those rJbes that Formerly fire.
| quented the river have nuw left IT. and more con
template dong should that act mol be repealed o,
'mended From the English they can get what liqou,
hey want, aud The distance Is nothing TO an Indian
When he has n view The qualification of his passions
| Among the Rcarees saw several English medals
aud some ot British manufacture.
OuT government must remedy these abuses sh,
must d'vcsl herself of that appalling slowness tina,
attends all her operations. she must show more en-
ergy Than she has done, iG she wishes IL preserve
the inT trade otherwise, our traders may as we'll
abandon the business. The rsque is TOO gleat for
individual enterprise whea uniided and nnassisted
! by the government. Adieu. For myself | am de-
tetmIned TO have revenge for the loss of two young
men To whom hecame very much attached, and
never wt descend this river until assist in shedding
the blood OF some of the R,carees It.woulL olive
me pleasure. beyond the power of language to ex-
press, could personally extend my hand and greet
YOU &c Nat. Int