Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-07-04
The Maple RiS1, lNurtier, Sc.--The

altar IN Its true iBhi, unu uNcstS IL vi al
the misrepresentation which the mendaci-
ty Of some Of the wing presses has cndea-
vored 10 attach to il. Mr.. Schoolcraft has
recently been among the Indians and held
'talk" with them, when the greatest good
feeling ard confidence prevailed, and after
accepting the proposition of government to
receive, in future, their annutles at Grand
River, instead Of Mackinaw, as at present,
and to appoint delegation to proceed west
of tho Mississippi to select lands for their
future residence, tho council adjourned.-
We trust the letter Of Mr.. s. will be cxtcn-
sivoly copied, dispensing, as it docs CON-
pletely, the miserable msts which have been
attempted to be thrown around the subject.
Free Press.
Grand Haven, June Z, 1885.
GENrLEmEN--At tho conference with
the Indians Of Grand River valley, their pop
ulation was ascertaned to be 600. Every
village and sub.vilago was represented by
the proper chief or delegate, who united in
disclaiming all participation in, or sanction
of, the murder committed in March last, on
Maple River. They voluntarily entered
into covenant of friendship with the Uni
ted States, dcnouncing all foreign dictation
and counsel, and promising that if, in the
progress of the settlements north of Grand
River, any cause Of dissatisfaction should
arise, the same should be reported by them
to the proper officers of the state or nation.
al governments. The fullest reliance may
be placed on their sincerity in this COM
pact, and their friendly feelings towards the
citizens. Stipu!ations were also entered
into, respecting the proportonate division
and the place Of payment Of their annuities
in money, provisions, &C., which have had
tho effect to produce high degree of sat-
isfAction in their minds. The Chofs ogreo
TO send six delegates, TO join tho general
party now assembling at Michillimackinac,
who are about proceeding under an agent
appointed by tho President, to view the
country proposed for their future perma.
nent residence beyond the Mississippi. The
conference was succeeded by an immedi-
ate delivery Of the goods, merchandise and
provisions due TO them. Every stipulation
and agreement Of the government has now
been fulfilled, in the fullest extent, for the
time that has elapsed since the signing of
the treaty, and the remaining payment
and deliveries will be made as fast as the
time indicated in the treaty demands.
take the occasion to allude 10 the in.
justice done toward the United States by
some Of the statements made in a memo.
rial got up, somo thirty or forty days ago,
on tho upper portions Of Grand River. 1t
is not true noto, and was not then, that the
Ottawas Of Grand River entertain senti.
menis of hostility to the inhabitants of Grand
River-that the murder of the Glass fami.
ly was an evidence of this hostiity-that
the state Of feeling was mainly duo to the
"goods offer" of last year, and that we were
in fact, on the verge Of war--"another
Florida war;" Such conclusions may have
boon very naturally made, under the on
element Of the murder, and by persons but
little conversant with Indian character and
the actual state of the facts. But nothing
could be further removed from the true
causes Of that murder. II was early known
and has since been fully ascertained, that
the murder was committed by a small hunt.
ingparty Of Saginaws,the principal of whom
arc now in confinement at Saginaw. Pa
mossegay, the leader of their parto, has
been known to the department for years,
to be man of a dark, rcvengeful and un-
friendly disposition-he has kept himself
aloof from the government councils, been
at variance with tho other principal Sagi.
nav chiefs, and acting under the influence
of strong prior attachments to foreign 60.
vernment. 1t is not difficult to connect the
murder ITSELF with improper and inflamma.
tory speeches sent over by the local autho-
rites at Maiden and Sandwich during the
late disturbances on the frontier.
But what becomes of the allegation that
the murder was committed by the Grand
River Ottawas, and that this embittered
state of mind, was one Of the consequences
Of the "goods oferl" This offer has been
distorted into every possible shape. 1t may
be sufficient to say that it was an offer bas-
cd on an enlarged consideration Of the just
rights and wants of the Indians, made by
the government at Washington, to all tho
tribes Of the west, between st. Louis and
Michillimackinac. In common with others
the Ottawas and Chippewas were offered
half of their annuiics for 1897 in goods,
and half in silver, with tho full option of dc.
Gliding for themselves, after examining the
quality Of the goods and comparing it with
furnished invoices. 1t was an alternate of
this offer, owing to the actual condition Of
the pecunary affairs of the country gener.
ally, that an extension Of six months Of the
time Of the payment of the other half annu.
ity would be required. This latter branch
ofthe proposition was accepted by the tribes
Of Chippcwas and Ottowas in full council
of Michillimackinac, in presence of the a.
gent and principal disbursing officer. And
the payment thus deferred, by the FREQ con.
sent ofthc Indians, has been promptly mado
ngrecably TO its tenor. No payment was
ever moro satisfactorily made TO the Indians
If may judge from their present feelings.
completed by Lieut.. L. S. Siblcy, at Grand
Rapids.
You are at liberty TO make proper use
IF tho c,~oo<>.a<. ST.. a.. -.