The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-07-02
THE INDIANS.

4 SsAsAOAo ~ AsAA oEACf1S siA0 80 = . 49,
the Sacs and Foxes. He had several
talks with the disconnected portion of the
Band who have ranged themselves under
! Hard6sh and the Prophet. Mr. Beach
visited their encalnpment at the nppe,
part Of this city, where upwards of goo
had congregated. at the request Of several
of the Band.
They shook hands with their new
Agent-expressed considerable disatis-
faction at the manner in which their par
~ had been treated by Keokuk-wanted
to know the reason why the Populations
of Keokuk. Wapello ard Appanooce
went by the way of Fort Madison, in
stead Of meeting item and crossing at
Burlington-still insisted upon receiving
their annuitie. through the heads of fami-
lies instead of through their chiefs, and
wound up by saying it was their deter
minatlon to receive them in no other
way.
The Agent said he was glad to see
them all looking so well. but told them
that was not the proper time nor place
to bring their grievances before hun
that the Council House, at the Agency
was the only place, and there he would
be at all times prepared to meet them and
transact any business they had on hand.
He informed them that he knew nothing
of the motives Of Keokuk and the other
Chiefs, but the reason they assigned for
going by Fort Madison instead of Burling-
ton on their way to Oquawka, where they
intended to leave their horses, was that
the road was nearer, they would save the
expense and trouble of ferrying Skunk
river and that it was better way. He
told them that he had sworn to the Great
Spirit to perform his duty-to see that
the treaties and laws of the United States
as far as they were concerned were
strictly complied with. He informed
them that deputa,ion Of three from each
village would leave in the first boat for
the Winnebago Country for the purpose
of making treaty-that it was his de-
sire to promote the happiness and welfare
Of the whole nation, and to see them all
united as they had been. Their anxiety
to lead the Agent to concede several inn
portant points, concerning the mode Of
payment, the traders, Keokuk, &c. was
very apparent; but he seemed to be fully
aware of his duty and continued to in.
form them that the council house was the
only appropriate place in which he could
transact the business Of the nation, and
advised them to leave this vicinity and
go to their homes.
Although quite q young man, we con-
slider Capt. Beach we'll qualified to sus-
tain himself as Agent, both creditably to
himself and to the Government. He ems
tiers upon his duties at critical time
with the Indians. But he seems to be
acquainted with the difficulties that now
exist among them, and the ground of
those difficulties.
There seems to be disposition on the
part of few of our citizens to take sides
in relation to these difficulties. We con-
slider this altogether impolitic and out of
place. Let the Indians, and the Govern
ment, through their Agent, attend to this
business themselves. Misapprehensions
doubtless exist on the part Of many in
relation to this subject, and we have no
doubt that full statement of all the facts
might to considerable extent remove
these nisapprehensions but as in doing
this we might be exposed to the charge
of being arrayed in favor Of one or the
other Of these parties, we forbear, until
the circumstances of the case shall COM
pei us TO speak our mind freelylon the
subject. We consider that these Indians
have been here long. enough to have trans
acted any business they might have on
hand, and it is high time they were
away. We believe . large majority Of
our citizens wish them away. Notwith.
standing the heavy penalty, they are from
day 10 day furnished with liquor, and
are seen lying about the streets drunk,
Ladies are prevented from visiting the
stores on account of them-thelr appear
ance is disgusting and indelicate--ane
their being here is believed to be demoral
lizing both to themselves and to many o
the citizens. We would therefore ad
wise them to p1kachee.
FORT MEIGS.
/ The graphic sketch of the great doings
at Fort Meigs will amply repay peru