Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-08-12
IOWA NEWS.
|DU BUQUE, SATURDAY, AUGUST II.

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|DU BUQUE, SATURDAY, AUGUST ID.
We present our readers, with copy OF the
|treaty concluded with the Chippewa nation on
|the goth ultimo. twill be highly gratifying
Eto the inhabitants of this Territory to learn,
that 80 important region as that embracing
the pine country at the head waters Of the Mis-
sissippi, is now thrown open to their enter
prise. Too much praise cannot be given to
Governor Dodge, the Commissioner on the
part Of the United States, who alone, unassist-
ed by his colleague, and Notwithstanding all
the difficulties thrown in his way, by those
interested in opposing the views of the govern
ment, has succeeded in making treaty which,
viii produce tie most beneficial results
" to the in,ereat of our Territory, but to the
whole country on the banks of the Mississippi
river.
On tho Goth ultinao, the time proposed for
holding treaty with the Chippewas, more
than thousand of that nation had assembled
near Fort Smelling, having been collected from
distance Of more than six hundred miles. A
great many chiefs from the extreme head wa
ters of the Mississippi, and the shores Of Lake
Superior were present.
The Chippewas. and the Sioux have been
mortal enemies to each other from time imme-
mortal, and Fort Smelling is situated in the
Sioux country. Thatplace, on account Gifts
Hosvo 1sv a, &f,o
northwesterly of the frontier military posts,
was chosen as the place for holding the treaty.
To prevent any acts o. hostility between these
tribes, and 30 to overawe ann Influence their
savage nature as to cause them to re-1a.n qul-
ct in the presence of each other, was task O.!
difficulty, and required great delicacy Of man
agement. Gen. Smith, who was appointed as
the colleague of Gov. Dodge. we understand,
was delayed in his journey westward, and did
not get nearer the treaty ground than Prairie
du Chen, three hundred miles distant. In tho
mean time, more than Thousand Chippewas
were encamped on the land and in the presence
Of FIVE hundred Sioux. The garrison of Fort
Smelling consisted of but ffty-eight men---a
force totally inadequate to prevent hossilities
among the Indians, and even to protect the fort.
I. required Commissioner possessed Of an
intimate acquaintance with the Indian dispc-
sition, and Of a cool intrcpidity and frmness
Of character to manage so as to secure success
in making the contemplated treaty. Fortunate
ly, such a man was our veteran Governor
The Sioux and Chippewa Chiefs smoked the
pipe Of peace in his presence, said they lad
heard of him before. and when they were TOLD
by him that their Great Father would be an
pry If they stained their lands with each 9th
er's blood, and would consider every blow
they struck at either as against himself. the,
said his words were good We were presen
signing the treaty, and intend, at some futur
time, when leisure permits, to give our read
ers our impressions more at length. The cor
dition of the powerful tribes of our northwes,
ern aborgines, affords an ample field for til
excrtion Of the phlanthropist, and the regio
they occupy is full Of interest to the naturalis
an, man of science. We will merely stats
from, tha he's; n..ormation which could be OF
tanned from the traders ;sho arc acquainte
with the country which was purchased az IN
treaty, that it contains at least twenty mi'lion
of acres Of land, that about one third OF IT !
covered with pine timber, about ono fifth col
sists of sandy barrens and taInarack swamp
and tho remainder Of an excellent soil for ag1
cultural purposes.---This country Is bounds
on the west ninety-fve miles by the Missl
sippi river, extending from the ocha-sua ri
er on the south to the Isle de Coybeau on !
north. There are no pine trees on the ban
of the Mississippi, but moot beautiful 70
ing prairie extends from fifty to sixty miles
breadth between the pine region and the riv
This prairie is interspersed with groves OF I
various kinds Of forest trees which are usua
me: with in latitude 46 degrees north. Thu
arc also grea,.number Of small lakes W
high shores and gravel margins, which aft
the most lovely and picturesque scenery to
found in North America. We congratul
the people of Wisconsin, that so desirable
country has been thrown open to their en-
prise, and doubt not that the opportunity Il
afforded will be well improved.
In our last, we. briefly noticed the spe
Of THOMAS P. BuaNErr, ESQ.,, delivered
reply 10 complementary toast drank at
celebration Of the 4th If July, at Cassvi
Since :hen, we have read tho same, wi
more firmly convinces us Of the CORRECTNESS