Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-08-24
INDIAN Relations Though we do not agree

! INDIAN Relations Though We do not agree
with some Of our friends with regard 10 the In
dams. yet we are willing that they should be
heard in their defence; and in relation TO the
last disturbance, We think the facts go 10 pi owe
thai they are The injured party. The following
communication on the subject, from the New
York American, was written in the vicinity Of
Jtfferson Barracks, State of Missouri, and is
entitled to attention.
Presenting the Northern people will look anxously
for the truth, concerning the Indian disturbances which
have recently taken place the frontier of this State,
I send you wha, appears be the most probable
count The report s-and it is much credited-that
the whites residing near the iowsy Indians, went to
their villages for the purpose OF trading and took with
them whiskey enough to intoxcste the Indians They
succeeded in getting them too drunk to make good
bargain, and then proc ceded to make their trades
cheated the Indians out Of every thing valuable, and
retired. quite satisfied with theirski
As soon as the Indians recovered from their stupor.
sufficiently to what they had DONE they carried the
goods they had received from their civilized friends, and
demanded those which had been taken from them.-
THIS demand not compli, d with On returning
to their villages, the lndans drove Oft several cattle
perhaps to rtate the whites probably to get indemn-
6cIton for the goods they hal lost. On finding their
cattle gone the whites, to the number of about fifty,
armed themselves, and went tor them. The INDIANS
were not disposed to give them up; The whites endea
vored to take them by force and attacked the Indians
for that purpose; but beaten with the loss OF four
killed ami some wounded.
The affair was represented to Governor Miller in an
improper light: he Immediately sent information to
General Ieavenworth. with requiston for the troops
al Jefferson Barracks. With his usual promptness,
General ,avenworh directed the troops to proceed to
the scene of tcon, soon transportation could be
obtained. Five companies Of the 9th Regiment ut In
fanlry, and of the &c. moved the 25th instant
Before transportation for The remaining companies Of
the Sd could be obtained it ascerained that they
were not wanted. The sturbances have ceased, and
the troops daily expected to return.
cannot vouch for the truth OF this narrative, but
is believed to be substantially correct There Is no
question but that the whites the aggresSors In
almost every instance of Indian Expectations the cause
my be traced to some Outrage committed by the
whites.
1t is fact, that within few months, som white
settlers Rock River have taken possession OF the
fields which the Indians had broken up and cuItIvate,i
aud the Indians, notw,hs audng this gross violation of
their rights. wen, peaceabiy and complained of it, in
the place of taking the Ratchet, they might have
done.
The Indians Immediately on our frontier would ne.
yer disturb u.s. five would let them alone fever we
are wantony attacked, will be by Indians who do
know our strength and therefore desise and nat
by those who almost in the midst Of Us, who have
some idea OF our numbers, and will be peaceable fer
that reason, If for no oher-unless gosded beyond
lurdnce.
II is well known fact that during the last Winter,
some ot the czens living in the vicinity of the ouay
Indians, having lost their horses. accused tho Ioways of
stealing them the charge denied, but the whites
hid not believe the Indians and soon AFTER some of
The iJway families appearing in The settlements,
literally stripped Of every thing valuable they had
'bout them and every species OF clothing. for the al
T 0prpose of obtaining the value Of thA -~oes last
a. that some 81 rr'"tSssauen ee "-'"amdnty ROBBED.
- 80. 10 dsGiht Il afterwards proved that the
Ioways did not steal the horses; but they were stolen
by tyibe of Indians residing Tar from the loways ana
in a contrary direction from the settlements.
II is remarked by those acquainted with the indians
bordripp on our settlements, that they, M hardly any
instance violate the rights of the whites, unless pro-
vok ed to it.
How can we expect TO be at peace with inc savaEes
We deny the the right Of exercising the rst law of
Nature that of self prot ctioni In many instances,
they have been known TO exercise great forhearance
Here after being gros, wronged, they complained to
thu nearest authorities and waited under their suffer
;nss till human nature could bear 1t no longer
rh.se things MIR Editor, ought to be inquired INTO
Our Government ought to know how The Indians are
,raa, "A nv the whites who settle near them trust
ha, the late difficulties will lead to thor ugh 'nves-
cation of these matters, and that the rah may DC
known =, -, -,
n the whites are not more to blame than the IND ans
the expectatons of some of the mostnteigent czrns
of Missouri viii be disappointed.
yJliu II, 1899. L'n'iA