The Arkansas advocate., 1831-03-09

pche, (whose family is we'll known in St Louis.
 Pierre Rouch, and Baptste Hebert, were pro
 ceeding from their establishment on the Tetol
 river, to the Mandan villages, with large as
 sortment of merchandise. A war party 0
 Ariearas rushed suddenly upon them. and mur
 dered themin open day; saying. they had prom ised the Great Spirit to take the scalps of th' :! first people they met with, whether white ret skin. One of the Indians, we'll known to Bou che (who had often traded with the nation anf spoke their language,) wished the lives of the party 10 be spared offering to give up their mer chandise and horses. A council was held, bul l of short duration, and the poor fellows were doomed to die--for ssan Indian cannot tell lie volley was instantly fired; two fell dead; the third wounded; he pleaded hard for his life, 7 but no mercy was shown--his days were mum. bered. The Agentto the Arcara nation, be lieve, was at Washington City when this out rage occurred; but full representation of the facts have been made to the Superintendent oi Indian Affairs, and, no doubt, proper measures will be taken topunish the perpetrators of this atrocous act.
 The citizens of St. Louis are deeply interest ed in the trade of the Upper Missouri. Very considerable sums of money are yearly expend- ed in that city for the extensive outfits, and en- ployment is found fora large number of her en- terprising inhabitants, to whom liberal salaries are given, proportioned to their merits. The capital invested by the American Fur Compa- ny Tn the trade, must be to a very large amount; they have numerous establishments among those Indian nations whom the government have re- cognized by appointing Agents and Sub Agents to watch over their interests, decorate with medals, and complimentby by annual presents, with the ayowed object of concluding their friendly feeling, and, at the same time, endeavorirg to impress upon their minds the immense power o1 their Great Father the President and his deter mination to punish, serely, the shedders of his white children's blood- Is it then anreasona- ble to suppose, that where blood has been wan. tonly shed, prompt and decisive measures would be taken to punish the offenders; yet we hear nothing farther than an admonition, ssthat they must not do so any more." Is it to be worl- dered af then, that the Indians should abuse sech mistaken ienity, and repeat their murder. ous acts as caprice may dictate, or opportunity offer, relying upon the mercy, or presuming on the supineness.or setting at naught the threats of their great Father?
 The treaties made by government commits sloners with the various tribes of Missouri Indi- ans, give them immense power over the white traders, they in any instance, infringe the laws of the United States, the bonds required of them by the Superintendent of Indian Affairs. are to an amount so large, that, if confscated would inevitably tend to their ruin. Knowing therefore. the penalties to which they are ex. posed, they rely on the government under which they live, to protect them in their lauda- ble pursuit; and, without this, their trade can neither be prosecuted with vigor or advantage.
 That something must speedily be done to check this thirst for blood, is the opinion of all or, in few years, not man will be found to hazard his property and risk his life among such lawaess savages.