The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-08
THE DAILY UNION


credit for their perseverng efforts in keeping liquor
from the Indian tribes with whom they trade.
II is subject of deep regret, that the agents oil
the United States government have not been equally
as vigilant and as successful There is no section
Of the continent which II is so necessary to guard
from liquor as the country inhabited by the extern
sve tribes of Indians in the Northwest, between
our settlements and the British boundary. Consid.
ering the proximity Of the powerful tribes to the
British possessions, and their liability, in time OF
war, to be operated upon by British agents, against
us, it is matter Of the highest moment, IN our IN
tercourse with them, by firm and benevolent treat
ment, to preserve their attachment TO our govern
ment. This can only be done by the most energetic
and competent agents at those points nearest TO the
extensive country traversed by the Indians
While the united exertions OF the two great fur
companies have succeeded, as far as their influence
can extend, in excluding liquor from the savages, l
regret TO state, on what know to be facts, that the
agents OF the government nave, from me want OF
industry, energy. or ability to understand and exc
cute their duties with fidelity, been inexcusably re-
miss in excluding ardent spirits from the Indians OF
the upper Mississippi and its tributaries.
Among the most difficult Indians to deal with, are
the wild Chippewas, divided into bands, inhabhng
the country about Leech Lake. Mile Lake &c, and
the tributaries entering the Red river of the North
Among these bands may be included those denoml-
mated the 'Piliagetrs," who, few years ago, muir
dered one of the traders Of the American Fur Com
pany. These petty bands had each petty chief,
who was incapable of keeping them under proper
control In this state of things, noble, bold, and
daring Indian, residing on the Crow-wing river OF
the upper Mississippi, bearing the name of /" Hoie-n
the Day." or, as more properly understood in the
Indian dialect "Hole-in-the- Sk rose up, and made
himself the master-spirit the head chief of all those
dsordery bands, which he succeeded, by his courage
and decision of character, in making both to dread
and respect his authority.
This man becafne the and I'M hing friend
of the Americans, and of the American government
and, in case of difficulties with England, he would
have rendered US the most important services but
it seems that, by the negligence of the government
whskey-shops have been extensively opened on
Crow-wing river by low white people, accessible "a
all the tribes Of the northwest, extending to the
British possessions The tribes under the influence
of the fur companies are no longer free from ac-
cess to liquor; while the brave "Hole-in-ihe Day
the friend Of the Americans and Of the whites, him.
self is fast becoming PROSTATE and besotted by his
access to liquor on the Crow-wing. He is fast be-
coming a worthless drunkard; and he who was fear
ed and honored by his peope--he who was ready to
brave every danger for the whites, to punish the
"Pilageurs," other bands under his control, fol
the least wrong or insult offered a white man OF
American bood-is now fast sinking into the worth
less and useless vagabond under the administration
Of whiskey by his friends, me iphites-unprotected
by that government in defence Of which he would
be willing to yield up his life.
This is a sad picture, but not less true than sad
In the destruction of this noble chief the govern
ment will lose the best friend it has among the In
dams of the Northwest reaching to the British from
tier; while the wild tribes, heretofore kept in check
by him, will resume their savage and unbridled
habits.
The truth is, there is not one man in five hundred
that is fit for an Indian agent. They are too often
appointed on the ground Of mere political or family
services, without regard to qualifications.
A. ~ ,LotI ,taI N
the friendly feeling existing between the two great
fur companies alluded to at the commencement OF
this letter. will state the following facts: In Octo-
ber 1884, the brig John Jacob .9tor fine noble YES
sci, sailing on Lake Superior, owned by, and en-
ployed in the service of, the American Fur Compa-
ny, was unfortunately wrecked at Copper harbor,
while lying off Fort Wilkins for the delivery of gov
eminent stores. As this the only vessel owned
by the company on the lake, the loss was very seri-
ously felt, and became very embarrassing. 1t was
all-important to them that provisions goods, &c,
should pass up the lake early in the spring. TO sup
ply their numerous trading.po The Hudson
Bay Company owned one or two vessels on the
lake engaged in their service.
Mr.. Ramsay Crooks, the head of the American
Fur Company, on hearing Of the loss of the brig As
tor, wrote to Sir George Simpson, the governor of
the Hudson Bay Company, stating the loss met with,
and wishing to know if one ofthe Hudson Bay Com
panys vessels could be engaged early in the ensuing
spring, to convey the American Fur Company stores
from the SAUL de ST. Marie to La Pointc at the upper
end of The lake. Sir George Immediately replied, and
with great promptitude rendered the use of their
schooner, then fast in the ice at Fort William He
CAUSED despatch to be sent through the snow over
land to Fort William, with peremptory order for
the schooner to leave Fort William as soon as she
could begot out of the ice to proceed to the Sault
ST. Marie, and be placed entirely at the disposal of the
North American Fur Company. The schooner ac-
cordngly reached the Sault ST. Marie early in April,
where she was loaded, and proceeded to La Pointe.
When Mr. Crooks offered to pay for this generous
act of kindness, the Hudson Bay Company would
not accept of one cent for the Of their vessel
Such generous conduct is worthy of the highest
praise, and should be made known to the world for
its admiration and imitation.
The friendly relations existing between these two
companies, exercise the happiest influence over the
respective tribes of Indians and trappers under their
CONTROL
| see a correspondent from the United States
squadron in the Pacific, audes to reports of annoy
ances, &c, inflicted American emigrants on the
north side of the Columbia river, by the agents Of
the Hudson Bay Company. ! can only say,
as strong as my American feelings are, do not
believe word Of it. Indeed, the whole story is
conradicted by Capt. Fremont, and by letters writ
ten home by the emigrants themselves. "Gipe unto
Cesar the things that are Cesar's"
The city remains without news of importance.
The news by the Caledonia has had tendency to
check speculation in wheat and flour, and to give
some degree of frmness to the stock market.
You will see notices in the "Courier and Enqui-
rer" of letter published in the "London Times, y
from its correspondent in Mexico, which touches on
points of interest in reference to this country.
The hotels keep crowded with vsiters and coun-
try merchants A fair amount of business seems to
be doing generally.
l am very respectfully,
Yours, &C.,
MORGAN.
.. From the same.l
New YoRK, 6 P. M, Saturday.