Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-11-27

encroachments of the Winnebagoes-
year after year have an injured and in
dignant people, sent forth 10 Washing
ton, the same story OF personal vio-
lence, loss of life and destruction of
property, suffered in consequence of
Winneb ago Indians being permitted to
struggle from their country, in denance
of treaty stipalations-and year after
year have these complaints been met
with contemptuous silence, cold neg
lect or puerile and abortivc efforts at
redress.
Your memorialists seek to cast no
censurc on the Government or its
agents. They desire only to call the
attention of the proper powers, to the
true situation of themselves and their
/ fellow citizens, and to assert that cri-
sis is now approaching, when Govern
ment must interfere with energy for
their protection, or on failure thereof,
they must of necessity fall hack on the
natural law Of self defence ami protect
themselves. This alternative they de-
precate as an evil of no common magni-
tudc, and to be resorted to only when
they have exhausted all modes of ap-
plication for legal redress. and have
endured with patience, until patience
has ceased to be a virtue. The strug-
giles of frontier life, in themselves are
no light burthen, and if in addition
passive and continued submission to
savage devastations, is to be their lot,
then will your memorialists in truth
believe that the chartered rights of
American citizenship is but shadow
the protection of Government an emp
ty sound!
The withdrawal of the United States
troops from Fort Crawford, leaves our
citizens entirely delenceless, SO far as
protection by Government is concern
ed. While this post was garrisoned,
some protection was afforded. and the
Indians were in measure restrained
from those more often and lawless acts
of violence which there is too much
reason to apprehond will mark their
future career. Scarce day passes but
some one OF our citizens has tale of
Indian violence to relate. Houses de-
stroy ed--felds lad waste, and cattle
slain. Nor does the curtain drop here!
The brutal and unprovokcd murder of
a citizen of neghboring county with
in the last few days, by band of strag-
Cling Winnebagocs, is fearful rcali
cation Of the fears which are entertain
ed for that portion of fellow citizens,
who are within the reach Of savage
malignity.
Many of our citizens are engaged in
procuring lumber on the waters OF the
upper Mississippi river, (the constant
and favorite resort Of the Winnebagoes
They are generally scattered in small
parties-remotc from each other, and
entirely unprepared for any combina-
ton or concentration for adequate de-
fence. Their situation would be al
most hopeless, in case the Indians, con-
I fdent in the IMMUNITY with which
their past aggression have been COM
mitted, and rendered more insoient BY
the absence Of regular troops should
again be Opposed 10 indulge their nat
ural leroci'y AID. hatred towards the
whites. The various surveying par
/ ties of the United States. now in the
/ discharge of their duties in this coun-
try, are also cut off in great measure
from all efficient protection, and would
fall defcnceless victims to the first hos
| tile attack.
Ia view of all these circumstances
and eonfding in your Excellency'. de-
sire TO extend the protection of the Co
vernment to all its citizens, when duly
required and properly sought for
Your memorialists ask, that Govern
ment take at once, such prompt and
efficient steps as will ensure the remo-
val Of the Winnebago Indians, be-
yond the possibility of their future
disturbance Of the whites-or the OBJ
servance to tie letter of the Treaty of
1887. This will confine them within
/ the limits of their own country, and
will prevent violent collision with
the whites-a deplorable result which
must inevitably ensue, if no precau-
tiobary measures are adopted.
Your memorialists do not arrogate to
themselves the office Of pointing out
the steps necessary to effect this object.
They rely with perfect confidence on
the wisdom Of your Evcellcncy and
i the constituted authorities Of the land.