Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-10-24
The WinnebagO Indians nj
WashiE gtOn.


Washington n, & the Union of the Cd has
an interesting article on the subject OF
their visit. They are pronounced toe
most noble looking delegation Of lndi-
ans which has yet been seen at Wash
ington. They had had several con-
ferences with the President and with
those whom he had appointed to con-
fer with them, but they had not been
able to agree on any satisfactory terms
of treaty nj the last accounts. The
tract Of land now occupied by the
Winnebagoes is thus described, and
how they come 10 occupy 1t is ex-
planned as follows:
The Winnebagoes occupy valna-
BILE tract of land west Of Prairie du
Chen, bordering forty miles on the
Mississippi, within the Territory OF
Iowa, and running one hundred miles
back from the river. This land was
cedcd by the Sac and Fox and Sioux
tribes, at the treaty Of Prairie du
Chen, concluded in 1880. These
tribes had been ancient enemies, and
the feuds inherited from their fathers
had never been healed. Their coun-
tries lay contiguous to each other, and
each party relinquished twenty miles
Of the adjoining country, which was
thereafter to be considered as neutral
or sacred ground, which threw The hos
tile bands forty miles apart. This was
done for the purpose of preventing the
frequent massacres which so often oc-
CURED when small hunting parties of
one tribe were found on the hunting
grounds OF the other"
In 1882 treaty was concluded by
Gen. Scott aud Gov. Reynolds, by the
terms Of which the Winnebagoes be-
came possessed Of the neutral ground,
in exchange for their lands on this
side Of the river. In 1910 they were
compelled to occupy ii. This is the
land for which the United States pro-
pose TO treat.
On the oSth ult. the delegation was
introduced to the President, aud the
Union says Mr.. Polk so demeaned
himself on the occasion as TO really
impress them with the belief that they
"were in the presence of the great ia.
Their of the red man." Mr.. Polk said
he was ready to hear what they had to
say, when Little Hill opened the
"talk" on his side by saying, IN sab
stance, that they had understood that
the President wished TO see them-that
the chiefs and braves then present rer-
resented the Winnebago nation; that
they wished that any business with
them might be transacted without de-
lay, as they were very anxious TO re-
turn home, rs many of their families
were sick. Whereupon the President
appointed commissioners to meet them
on the following Tuesday. They
then smoked the calumet all round,
each taking Whit as n mark of good
will, and one of them then gave the
pipe 10 the President, first spreading
himself, of course, in n consequential
and appropriate speech, in which all
the virtues of the said pipe were prop
erly attended 10. All parties then
betook themselves 10 their several
wigwams for the time being.
On Wednesday the commissioners
-..a 49, r"aiuns met. | he former
commenced. as usual. by telling the
Indians with what extraordinary
warmth they loved them, and how
anxiously they were concerned for
their welfare; but they Uniformed the
delegation, (ofter referring to some
quibbling clauses Of former treaties,
that il was not intended that the Win.
nebagocs should have temporary
home on the land they now occupy.
The Indians, at this sitting, said moth
ing.
Thursday The council met again. -
The commissioners ;hen told the In
dams, that they were ready TO hear
any propositions they had to make.
Little Hill rose, and assuming an
attitude of the most accomplished aud
graceful orator, addressed the commits
sioners. lie spoke with that fucncy
and energy Of gesture and action, 70,
which the Indians of the northwcs. are
celebrated. lie told the commission
crs that they had heard the voice of
their great father, through the Govern
or of Iowa, beyond the Miss ssppi.
telling them TO come here. They had
come at his invitation, and they de-
sirad m henr fro N, hin, what bn ,,.,,,f,J
of them. Their old chiefs and war.
riors at home, he said, did not author
ize them TO mike any nrnnosiIion for