Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-08-15

tne gOSpel. Il HtSc WeiS nONSi sCcnSS anu
circumstances. Thus closed this, TO US,
memorable day
The next morning early, we prepared TO
set off on our visit to the Falls, distant sew
en- miles, as the boat was TO leave in the az
ternoon. This, Of course, prevented US from
being present at "the talk" which was held
between the Indians and the officers Of the
fort | will describe it, however, as related
to me by eye-witnesses. Abou; 10 o'clock,
the Chippewa warriors leaving their women
and children in their camp, marched in
their usual order, single file, up to the
heights in front Of the fort, and seated them
selves in a semi-circular form upon the
ground. Soon after appeared large num-
Der ofSioux, who ranged themselves oppo.
site to them in similar manner while on
one side were the U. S. soldiers, and on the
other the spectators the chiefs, officers, and
Interpreter being in the centre.
The Sioux then stated their case with
much eloquence and warmth. The Chippe-
wa chief replied, and assured them that his
band had no agency in the MURDER but that
it was committed by a part of a lawless band
called "the pilagers; )" that he thought he
could secure their arrest; and that he was
ready to pledge himselfto endeavor to DO so;
and that in the meantime he would leave
two of his young men in the hands Of the u
s. officers as hostages, until he should have
faithfully made the attempt The officers
seconded this proposition, aud urged the ST
oux to comply with it, as they eyentuallJ
did. Two fine young Chippewas then step
ped forward and volunteered to remain unit
the agreement should be fulfilled Having
thus concluded the treaty, the chiefs shool
hands, and the council broke up. Grea
credit is due to Capt Backus for the promp
tilude and resolution with which he interior
ed to prevent bloodshed and perhaps a crue
savage war. His anxiety for time was in
tense, lest he should not be able to keep thu
peace. The result also, is in no small meas
ure owing to the course pursued by th'
Chippewa chief, Hole-in-the-day. He is
powerful warrior, aud has gained many vic
tories over his ancient enemies the Sioux
lie possesses many noble traits of character
and Capt Backus related TO us several inter
estng anecdotes of him. He has Away
been greatly dreaded by the Sioux. Some
time since, having become tired OF the in
cessant hostilties between the two tribes
and being convinced Of the impolicy ofsucl
warfare, on certain occasion when the tive
tribes had met in the presence ofour troops
he, in the spirit Of ancient chivalry, told th,
Sioux that il was fully thus 10 be forever Ell
gagged in war, and that now he would pro
pose with five, ten, fifty or one hundred war
riors, to meet an equal number Of them, il
the presence of both tribes, and of the U. S
troops to decide the contest by single bat
tie, and let it forever end the war. The 81
oux, however, declined the trial.
have already alluded to the difference il
appearance and language between these tw'
tribes They can be readily distinguishes
by their features and dress The Chippewa
called also Algonquin, is one ofthe most nu
merous of the Indian races now in existence
The New England tribes, the Delawares
and the Iroquos or Six Nations, once s.
formidable all belonged to this family. TIL
Sioux or Dahcotahs inhabt the western sid
of the Mississippi, extending to lis source
on the north, and to the Missouri on tn
west. Their language is radically distinc
from that Of the Chippewas or Algonquins
Their origin is unknown. Their most prob
able tradition represents them as having bee
driven from the confines of Mexico by tn
Spaniards. The Winnebagoes, Otoes,
owas, Missouris, Kanzas and Osages ar
branches Of this family, and speak dialects Q
the Dahcotah tongue. The Sacs and Foxe
belong to the Chippewa family, and former
ly inhabited the lower part Of what is nov
Iowa Territory. The Indian title has bee
evtnguished to all the lands on the east sid
of the Mississippi, believe, for some dis
lance above the Falls of St. Anthony. TIL
Sioux, however, still retain their claim to tn
lands in the extreme northern part of Iowa
with the exception of a small tract aroun
Fort Smelling, and including the falls.
To be continued.