The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-20


, the Arickarees, Yankions, and Sioux with whom
they have never been known to have more than
disruStfu and transient peace. The Chippewa ma
tion like almost all tribes Of Indians is divided int
bands, which feel and act almost independently o
each other and arc nomnally governed by chiefs
bat as far as my experience extends, chief has nc
other authority than his own personal influence o.
character gives him; and when a man Of more skill
lin hunting, bravery in war, or better Judgment OF
things in general arises the Old chief Is soon neglect
ed, and falls into disrepnte, and the man more wor
thy, without any formal election or ceremony, takes
his place.
Each individual roaus in the hunt as he sees III
on any part Of district considered the lands OF
the band These districts have tosrably well de-
fined boundaries, beyond which thsy seldom tres
pass. IL is only for few months In the year that
tho whole band 10 together, during the summer for
sport, and the autumn at the trading posts prepare
tory TO setting out on the winter hunts. During
these times, at which they frequsniy oengregaie In
large numbers, have been informed by a gentle
man who has had several years intercourse with
them, that he never knew personal combat, except
| in one instance with knives, which wss oeessioned
heeing nom the country or the victor 70 avoid being
murdered by the relations of the slain.
| The most prominent characteristic Of the Indian
Is Incidence. They have but little steady courage
or perseverance, and easily led by the persuasion
OF white men IN whom they eonfde, OF on whom hey
are dependant. Thus many Of the traders among
them have controlling influence and gre looked up
to by the whole band or tribe a. a superior. This
is 30 much the that no difficulties could arise
between them and our government, that might not
be safely and effectuay settled by intelligent and
honest traders, II the government would eOnhde to
their management and carry out in good faith such
arrangements might be made with them. The
nation Is extremely poor, and any policy which
tends to relieve their wants, has great power'oyer
them. A correct and vivid picture Of their condi-
ton and habits can be obtained from Tanners mar
rave Of thirty years captivity among them, chiefly
10 the vicinity Of Rainy Lake and Lake Of the
Woods.
The trade of that region being entirely in the
hands Of the Hudson Bay Company, they are kept
in the condition OF extreme poverty to the pres
ent moment. A gentleman who has visited their
lodges within two years past, informs ne that he
could perceive no other bedding clothing in them
than the laters Of rabbit skins; and an old
which continually leaked upon the fire. comprised
the whole of their cooking utensils. The saualid
appearance of these people generally Tho says)
brought Explanations Of astonshment and commits
Grafton from the Indians Of the south side Of the
lake who were with hin at the time, and who had
never before seen such wretehedness. Yet these
people hun, upon country more Astounding in val
liable furs than any other porton of North America
south Of Hudssn's hay and east Of the Rocky noun
tains. Single families on the north coast of this
lake have been known TO take $500 worth Of furs in
a winter. The head Of one of these families, after
returning from one Of the trading posts of this com
pany, where he had gone with -four or FIVE hundred
dollars worth Of furs said that was but little ben.
eft TO the Indians to hunt as all he had received for
his winters work was the scanty clothing he had on
his back, and a small quantity OF ammunition. The
Hudson Bay Company not only enjoy the whole
trade OF the country north Of line; but of all the
lnilans residing and hunting upon a strip of our
territory from 100 to $50 miles ia breadth on our
northern border, extending from Lake Superior
through TO the Rocky mountains. They do this not
by actually establishing posts within our limits but
by bringing their posts up to the line, while the
american Fur Company, for valuable consdera-
ton, not only retreat to the southwark themselves
but have an agreement with the Hudson Bay Com
pany TO oppose atany cost to themselves TO
profitable trade by any americans within that dis
trict. The Indians upon 10 thorsofs, let dest-
tute and entirely to the influence Of the British and
if let alone by the American Fur Company, .qne,i-
cans would enter, and, as it is known by experience
could prosecute aprofabe trade in that portion Of our
territory the Indians being imporunate to have finer
lean traders, Notwithstanding the efforts of the Hud-
son Bay Company TO the contrary This company
il decidedly national and loyal in its character and
feelings, and serves its government on all occasions
with as much ardor and hberality an could be ex-
peeled from faithful subjects
The American Fur Company-so caed--is not
known to have any particular national partiaiy,
apart from its own selfish policy and interest; and
il never permits any patriotic motives to have any
influence with it whatever. Their principal trading
houses beyond Lake Superior are at Sandy Lake,
on the Mississippi, about GOO miles above the Falls
of 81. Anthony, at Leech Lake, Little Lake Winnie
peg and Red Lake. The latter, on one of the
sources of Red River of the north, being the most
important as well as the most northern. These, to-
gether with number of posts Of minor, and almost
insignificant Importance, as at the mouth of Crow
wing river, Mile Lac, on the sources of the st.
Croix, at Lake Flambeau &c, are all QUILTED from
La Pointe this lake, and the return in flrs made
to the company's agent there
The trade of the company has, within few years,
rapidly diminished in amount. In 1910, they COL
eced at the La Polnte outt-or, they call it, the
northern out6t--lS4 packs or bales of furs in 1914
only 81 packs Of about the same kinds, which are
principally the most valaabIe--viz: bear, beaver,
otter lynx, fisher, marten, and fox. In 1s45,
have been informed, the quantity was slightly in
creased over the previous year, owing to more sue
cessful hunt. This dlmlnuion is partly owing to
| the decrease by destruction of the furred animals
and partly by the trade being shared on portion
of the ground with other traders. Up to the sum-
mer of 1910, the American Fur Company had for
many years possessed the entire trade of this lake
and the regions to northwest Of Il. They also held
the only means by which passengers or freight
could be transported through the lake, except by
coastng with small boats; and so jealous were they
Of any information being obtained relative to the
country that no passenger Of intelligence, except
the agents OF the government and missionaries,
permitted to be carried on their vessels; even the
transportation Of utensils necessary to the mission
aries was refused on certain OCCASION because they
presumed to purchase through rival merchant at
the Sault Ste. Marie. The missionaries were
charged 500 for passage, and SO per barrel for
freight. Their tyranny at that time may be Judged
by single fact which l will relate. A gentleman
connected the mission at Fond du Lac, presuming
upon his undoubted right to do so, purchased of an
Indian for the Of his wife three four marten
skins; when the agent of the American Fur Com
puny at La Pointe commenced the most determined
persecution TO drive him from the country, and, fail
ing in other means, attempted to starve him into sub
mission-all the supplies Of provisions having to
come through the company; and he was only saved
from suffering by generous balfbreed, who, how
ever, had to convey il to him secretly to avoid their
hos iity in his turn. The gentleman being true
blue, need not say all their efforts to compel him
to yield fruitess and he is yet in the country
The launching of the schooner "Agonquin'' on
this lake, in the spring Of l840 an era in its
history and at once struck at and finally overcome
the yrannica monopoly which had previously ex-
isted and was the means Of opening an interesting