Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-12-01

The DRAeooNs.-After full and fair trial OF
a year-after the expenditure OF an immense
sum of money-after the loss Oh an nuno'eu
men, and some of the most promising ouceis
in the service-it must be evident, that TINS res'
ment has failed in all the essential purposes Tor
which il was created, and ought to be disband-
ed, or merged into the equally effective ranks
of the Infantry. We attach no sort oil blame 10
the officer commanding or to any one engaged
in the service. He, and they, have done all that
men could do in their situation. Inc nave pc,
rilled fe-suffered every privation-contracteu
almost incurable diseases under burning sun
and all to what purpose? What great good
has been effected. either for our country or that
of the Indians with whom they have held coun-
ellis, and exchanged the symbols OF friendship
and peace2
The Dragons while on the Pawnee plains
endured incredible hardships. They were ire
auenty for many hours without water or COM
PEELED to drink, and cook with that which was
found in puddles upon their way. we are told,
that when the arrived at they Pawnee village, so
destitute were they Of provisions that an order
had been issued for the Staying Of some OF the
equally famished horses to provide meal Tor
the men, Under burning sum- the lever, which
has since carried so many OF them to the grave
had already commenced rioting IN their veins.
Not more than $50 effective men reached this
point. They found the Pawnees friendly dis
posed towards them-their wants were admins
tered to. and the men relieved by stay OF a
few DAYS. Meanwhile, the neighborng tribes
of Indians were summoned, and came to coun-
Gil to the number Of three thousand warriors
all of them mounted on feet horses-their dark
eyes glanCing upon their visitors in no very gen
tie aspect-their arms and warike instruments
glistenng in the sun. But, fortunately, the
Council closed peaceably-the Dragons return
ed to Fort Gibson, worn out and exhausted
seventy.fve of them to die. They are now in
winter quarters Men will have to be recruited
new horses to be procured-and new service
to be seen, before they can be rendered effec-
tive. Are the advantages they have conferred,
or may render, at all commensurate to the waste
Of life, the untold suferings the immense expen-
diture of money. which has attended, and must
follow the keeping OF this regiment IN servlcef
We humbly think not.
To the Indians themselves, the visit of the
Dragons will, we venture to predict, prove
equally disastrous. They found them in the en-
ioyment of every comfort which attaches to pri-
mitive savage life. Provisons-game, large
fields of corn, melons, every thing that contri-
butes TO fill up an Indians wants, or wishes
were found in profuson about them. They
were comparatively wealthy and contented.--
But already, we are told has the cupidty OF the
white man marked them for his prey. Traders
have gone and are going among them-and
we all know, that restitution OF property wretch
edness, vice, and despair, will in lew years
follow in their path. II is thus, that the seeds
of determination have been sown among all of
their race; and why should they prove an ex-
ception? An Indian people cannot live, content
ed, and happily and virtuously in contact with
white men, They imbibe all their vices and
bad practices, and are incapable of initiating
virtues for the simple reason that virtue and no.
nesty is seldom carried among them. 1t is al
together improbable, therefore, that the inter
course commenced by the Dragons can prove
otherwise than disastrous to the Indians.
Missouri Republican.