The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-09-26

theremainder tobe appropriated to the pay
neht OF their debts. They were also TO be
provided with lands 10 settle on, south
west of the Missouri River, where they
were to remove within three years.
After the adjournment Oft The council at
that time, we wen. 10 The agents house,
where the Governor put up during ais
stay at this place. He received us kind
Iy and entered into conversation very
freely, respecting the condition Of these
tribes Of Indians. He remarked that I'M.
less something was done 10 better their
condition, and that soon, they must IN a
very few years all be wasted away, IN con-
sequence OF the wicKedness and lreachcry
Of the whskey sellers and other traders,
who are taking advantage Of these poor
Ignorant natives, by Obtaining their mon-
ey aud other valuable articles IN exchange
for whiskey and lrilling commodities Of
ITO real value 10 the Indians. These arl-
Giles he remarked are frequently sold TO
them for ten or twenty, and in some lns!an-
ces for hundred times their real value
and in very short time these unprinc-
pied traders manage 10 obtain the last
dollar the lndian has. And he further
said, that some Of the accounts brought
10 against the Indians stagger creduIily;
IN enc Instance one OF these aCcOun.s was
exhibited Tor settlement amounting to SIX
teen thousand dollars, W hlch he had as
certained 10 have grown out of the rem
nants OF an old stock of goods nolworth five
hundred dollars. He remarked hut Wits
key was no doubt in many instances sold
TO the indians, ana charged as corn, blank
els, or other articles which The licensed
traders have right 10 sell 10 the Indians,
while it is unlawful to sell them wbiskey
He said also, that the advice OF the WhlSk-
ey sellers and other traders was unbound
ed in its influence upon the Indiln, and
that he had found much difficulty in treat
ing with them on that account, as these
traders were constantly hanging about
them and advising them agains. adopting
such course as would BE- for their good, |
and caulloning, them not 10 leave the chase,
nor lay down the gun or the bIankeI, Got
10 have schools established among them,
and in fine, against civilization in any |
way. What we saw aud heard during !
our stay at the Council Ground, fully |
confirmed the statements OF the governor. |
While we were there, we met with men |
Of Influential character. some OF whom it !
IS known have been long engaged in a
rade with the Indians, by which they
nave amassed great wealth. These men
Used their umos! skill TO make us believe
hat the Indians were a happy people
hat there was no necessity for any benev-
'lent exertions on their behalf and that
hey were now living very comfortably.
An Indian, say they,was made 10 hunt, no.
o work and they are so very happy 10
'eeplng to their old habits OF living, that
NY attempts 10 induce a change only
erve to make ;hem unhappy. They ar
5ued against educating The Indians, al.
cgether either within or without their
orders; saying, they have as much
knowledge as 1t is accessory for an Indian
0 possess.
There were also other men associated
With these traders, either BIZ friends hip or
iherwise, men of high standing in the
ommunity, who were forward 10 sustain:
ng them in their selfish and erroneous
iatemenls. And what is most 10 be de-
lored is, that the Indians will more real.
J listen 10 the counsel of these men {
IAN TO those who are diSinte!csledy en- |
aged for their good. We can out hope.
owever, that when they shall be remov.
4 to their new homes, all intercourse
nth their old advisers may be broken of ::
I'd they be left to receive better counsel Il
ON men who are not so intenty bent on q
cir own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT at The expense q
the life and happiness Of the Indian. 5
TO be continued. Ii