Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-09-23
CITE Constitutional egsotg.

The following correspondence between the Hon. T.
H. BENTON and The SECRETARY OF WAR, on the SUBJ
Ject oil an advanced post on the Upper Missouri with
view 10 check the progress of the British Fur Agents
III ther encroachments Territory and To acquire
more Oh uiat lucrative commerce into hands will
DE read with much interest 1t was the opinion of The
british North West Company that the most valuable
rs were 10 be obtained those sterile tracts of conn
try which ie IN the vicinity of Lake Winnpec where
the rocky and swampy districts are favourable to the
beaver but unpropous the multiplication of the lar
ger game la tins tract is 20 be found the territory
the Assinibon Indians little southwark of which lie
the American line, and the White Earth River We be-
heVc the only Dayigabe stream which runs from the
british territory into that of the United States and
winch runs INTO the Missouri, the very bend where
the Secretary of War has ordered the establishment of
the new post From this country the North West Com
Pany were always most anxious TO exclude all Compel
TORS as we ind it stated in the Earl of eIkirx Sketch
vi ue ritish Eur Trade who goes further state
''if any one of these indians venture TO sell HEAVIER
SKIN 10 trader who is not of the North West Compa-
ny, II Is crime for which he sure to experience the
seVerest vengeance" Ofthe value of the British Fur
rade we have formerly spoken; and we rejoice to find
from The letter o Mr. Benton, hat the vast dispropor
uon winch has hitherto existed between that and the
value OF cur ur Trade, is beginning sensibly dinn-
iS' we nave so unreserved confidence in the actvi
y and enterprise OF our citizens that in the absence
OF impednens which really insurnoi 81 able we
nave no doubt they will succeed turning the current
OF that trade, which has hitherto The north east
INTO our native channels and, in efecting ts most de
General Government ready to lend its powerful as
sstance.-l Nat. Jour.
ST. Louis, April 60.
DEAR SIR: The expedition for the Upper Missouri is
expected to leave Council Bluffs about this time The
treaties which will be formed with the Indians and the inn
posing appearance of 800 well appointed men will doubt
less have good effect upon the state of our fur trade
out nothing short OF the complete execution of the plan
Vi the late administration give that important in
terest the protection which it demands 4 nermaGcn
post at, or beyond the Mandan villages, to serve as a
P0ui1 Gdppu 90 our traders, can alone enable ci
Zens TO cXpe the British from the Upper Missouri to
recover the rich fur trade of the Rocky Mountains and
TO maintain their position in that remote region
IL IS my intention TO renew nay eXertions, at the next
session of congress- to obtan the establishment of this
post and, Halter myself with better success than here
toiore nasInuch as that stumbling block yciept seq
Pense," which was got out of the Old Yellow Stone ex-
pediton, can no ionger be thrown into my path The
present expedition has removed il forever The cost
oil the whole movement, including the purchase OF ten
or dozen boats. which be sold hereafter and REIN
bnrse part of the expense, viii not exceed The extra
appropriation of 10000, being $4,000 less than the
estimate of the Quarter Master General JEssIp which
itself was so low that several gentlemen thought it was
t!te an. Even If the expenditure of that sum has Il,
DC repeated the will be too inconsderahe 10
urisii reasonable objection 10 national enterprise;
st IL would be OF some avail in the argument to say
are a0ont no money-le troops are Me5'ep aud 10 be
able 10 say this part of General Atj,inson's command
must be left above during the ensuing winter have
10 propose to YOU, therefore, 20 obtain the Presidents
consent To this arrang ement for YOUR wishes are well
known 10 me-, dependent of course upon the Generals
opinion OF ms Own c"abity TO provide for the subsis-
eEce and the safety OF his mem points upon which
have doubt, but OF which the officer commanding on
the spot can be the only proper Judge. Even if Con
SFess SHOULD refuse TO make the post permanent we
shond sti derive some advantage from the of the
troops during the winter as the longer the visit the more
imposing and durable Will be ITS elect upon the minds
OF the sayages.
The able and cordial support which you have given
III the Senate all measures Tor the protecnu of
the fur trade, assures of your ready co-operaon in
our new sltuaton in any feasible plan for its further
security IT has fair claim upon't:e national protec
ton, boh as an object OF commerce. and as means of
governing the Indians. The British avail themselves
OF 1T for both purposes Their commerce in frs has
been about million and guartr of dollars per annum
Tor forty years. has been nearly extinct but Is re-
wing and will yield 100000 dollars this spring at this
place Last year we imported $4,000 worth, and
the year before, S270,00O worth; nearly one half in
each wear from Canada, that is TO say, from our own
territory the Upper Missouri by the way of Canada
This state of things have endeavored to alter but ST.
syp'dn is the abour Of eectng any change in the po-
Icy ot great nation. With great respect, your ODE
dent and faithful servant
THOMAS II. BENTON.
Hon. Mr.. BARBOUR, Secretary Of War.