Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-02-20
For the Wing and rnteIIigencer.

FOR the mig ana lntelIgencer.
"A gentlemen, arrived from the northern
frontier, brings the intelligence that one of the
Indian traders with the Winnebagoes is in
citing that nation to discomfort with the stipu-
lation contained in the treaty at Rock Island,
requiring their removal from the territory coded
by them to the United States. The individual
referred to has gone so far, 1t is said, as to adj
dress letter to the Secretary of War, soli-
citing the consent Of the Government to the
Indians remaining another year, under the
pre;ence that they are so destitute of the in.
dlspensible comforts Of life, and the means of
obtaining them at present, that their actual
starvation would probably ensue upon the en-
forcement of the treaty. When it is recolect-
ed that no less than 6OeG0 rations are to be
furnished to these Indians, upon their mlgra-
ton and when we reflect upon the character
of the winter, and the evident prospect of its
continuing mild; the groundIessness of all
complaint on the part of the Indians, and the
improperly of this interference in the matter
by others, must be admitted. But what REM
ders the conduct of this trader on this occasion
peculiarly the subject of animadversion-il
not Of indignant reprehension-is the fact,
that he is the very individual, as my informant
states, who has the issuing of the rations, so
beautifully provided by the government, and
must consequently himself know, that the ap-
prehensions in regard to their condition if a
compliance with their treaty be exacted, are
40 void Of reason and truth, as they are full of
mischief
But to expose fully the motives which fair
inference assigns to this man, it is only neces-
sary to advise the public that his trade will be
entirely cut off by the removal of these In
dams; and his interest, and that of his asso-
ciates, or employers, the American ur Com
the treaty is enforced, or its execution suspend
ed. Even this, and it is certainly very i'm
proper motive to actuate man, to an endeavor
to thwart the stpulations of treaties, and inter-
fere with the plans Of the Government to rid
our frontier of troublesome, and barborous
neighbors, is excusable compared with the in
cendiary means by which my informant states
this trader attempts TO effect his object He
denies the obligation of the treaty ON the In
dams, because, as he saws, the agents, party to
it on the part of the Winnebagoes, were I'M
authorised, and acted upon an usurped power
in acceding to, Or STIMULATING it. No argus
ment, or means of accomplishing his object,
could he have chosen more mischievous in its
tendency. 1t is calculated to infame the
minds of the Indians against one another, and
must result in opposition to the United States,
and war upon our state.
1t is very much to be hoped that the repre-
sensations of this man may be without effect a,
Washington. Gov. Cass must, we think
see the utter impossibiiity Of toerating this
hostility with any regard to the public
safety. The people canno: but view with
feelings of deepest indignation these attempts
on the part Of interested individuals, to thwart
the solemnly pledged obligations of the In
diam, and of the United States government
the obvious and unavoidable consequences to
which must be war, and distress again enacted
and presented on our unhappy frontier.