Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-09-30

lbove the Mandan villages, somewhere near the
mouth OF White Earth River, and il 80, about 500
niles above the Council Bluffs The Missouri Re-
publican states that General atkinson and Major
Of0ilo1 are now expedition to the upper
Missouri. treating with the Indian tribes in that
quarter; and that Gen. Browns letter TO Gen. A.
was sent after him by special messenger.
ST.. LOUIS, April 30,h, 1925.
DEAR SrR The expedition Tor the Upper Mis-
souri, is expected TO leave Council Bluffs about this
time. The treaties which will be formed with the
Indians, and the imposing appearance Of 500 well
appointed men, will doubtless have good etfec;
upon the state of our fur trade; but nothing short
OF the complete execution of the plan of the late
administration give 10 that important interest
the protection which it demands. A permanent
post at. beyond the Mandan villages, serve "a
pointe d'appu; to onr traders, alone en- bic |
our citizens to expel the British from the Upper /
Missouri, to the rich fur trade of the Rocky
Mountains, and TO maintain their own position in !
tina, remote region. 1t is my intention 10 renew my
exerion, at the next session of Congress, to obtain
the establishment of this post, and, ha,ter self,
with better than heretofore inasmuch that
stumbling block, yclept" expense which was
got out Of the old Yellow Stone expedition, can no
longer be thrown into my path. Ire present ex-
petition has removed il forever. The cost Of the
whole movement, including tue purchase OF ten or
dozen boats, which can be sold hereafter and re-
imburse part of the expense, will not exceed the
ezra appropriation OF Sl0,o00 being sd, 900 less
than tie estimate of the Quarter Master General
JEsUP, which itself so low that several gentle
men thought it take in.
Even if the expenditure OF that sum has to be re-
peaicd, the amount will be too ineonsiderable 10
| furnish reasonable objection to a national enterA
prize; still, it would be of some avail iu the argu-
ment to say, We ,oant no momey-the troops
are heye;" ard TO be able to say this, part of
General ATRINsoN's command must be left above
during the ensuing winter. l have to propose I'd
you, the efore, obtain the President consent to
| this arrangement (for your wishes are well known
to me,) dependent OF course upon the General Is
| opinion OF his own capabty 10 provide for the
subsistence and the safety of his men; points upon
which have no doubt, but OF which the officer
| commanding on the spot be the only proper
Judge Even il Congress should refuse TO make the
| post permanent, should still derive some ad-
vantage from the stay OF the troops during the win
ter, as the longer the visit the more imposing and
durable will be its effect upon the minds of the
| savages.
| The able and cordial support which you have
given in the Senate all our measures for the pro-
lection OF the fur trade, of your ready
cooperation, III your new situation, in any feasible
plan for its further security II has fair claim upon
the national protection, both object of CON-
merce, and as means of governing the Indians
|
Their commerce IN furs has been worth about mil
lion and quarter of dollars per annun foe forty
years; ours has been nearly extinct, but is revvng,
| and will yield $500 900 this spring at this place
Last year imported $500, 900 worth, and the
year before 500, 900 WORTH nearly nalf in each
4 year from Canada, that is to say, from our own
territory the Upper Missouri, by the way oil
Canada This state OF things have endesvored to
alter, but Sisyphnn is the labor of etfecting any
char in the DOlicy ri a treat M ion
!. With great respect, your obcdient and faithful
servant,
Il THOMAS II. BENTON.
Hon. Mr. BARBOUR, Secretary of War
Il DEPARTMENT OF WAR;
goth July, 1925.
II DEAR Sra You do me only justice in referring
to my support far il can be properly extend
, ed in the very important branch of domestic
resources, the fur trade II will give me great
pleasure 10 be ms o it for ou
That military post high up the Missouri would
essentially contribute to that result, is obvious; bu
whe'her lis advantages would compensate the dis
advantages which are anticipated from such mea-
sure, IS question that you have very properIy re.
,eiieo 10 the wisdom Of Congress- whose favorable
ecis'oh you mean to Obtain, if practicable, at the
next session. Meanwhile, as the most entire conf
dence Is reposed in the very sound discre,,on =,
General ATKINSON, have, with the sanction M
ie rresinent, caused an order 10 be addressed TO
nim' giving him discretionary pow err 10 continue
Z" ne thinks proper, the force under his command in
| some favorable situation on the Upper Missouri;
OF your more particular information enclose Won
| a copy Of the order.
nave the honor to be, your ohedient servant
! >, JAMES BARBOUR.
lion. L. IL. BENTON, ST. Louis, Missouri.
HEAD QUARTERS, wAsH1NeroN.
2lst July 1925.
DIR; The attention of the War Departmen, b,s
oeen called TO the subject of the Fur Trade of tho
missouri, and the necessity of preserving II fror,
the encroachnents OF British skill and enternr;xa
'" i'h this view it has been suggested to occupv
,o'ie advanced point on the river, with four or
hve companies OF the number comprisino Won, ~
pediuou; so located as best 10 favor The ob;ec, -
posed '''.'' pro-
Inc nature and value OF the interests tJms IN h.
protected as well as the obstacles attending the
execution OF the measures thus contemplated ,be
'eno,eness oil the position, its difficulty of access
ana uie extreme precaIiousness of its suppIie. a,
this Time, will be more fully presented 70 vour
'ie", IS possessing that PERSONAL knowledge the
decision. W risht
Under these circumstances Won are s,,to;,
at your oiscre'Ion, If you approve of ESTABLISHING
sucn posi- 10 locate it at such eligible point nm
.ne missouri as shall most eectuay secure the oh
Jec's In question: and 10 make such arrangements f
9th troops through the winter.
as your means will allow
II Is suggested that the extreme north bend of ,ho
pissour' approaching it does most nearly to tbej
l;,;a boundary and settlements, might afford a !
Pos'ieh embracing the greatest advantages
am aware that the War Department is everv
way disposed TO promote all the just views and IN,
terests Of our fellow citizens of the Western
ana address you this letter, comforting upon vn,N
'le discretionary power it contains, from The CON III
''cuoh mat 1t could not be placed in better hands X
nave the honor 10 be, sir, very respectfIIv Il,