The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-05-08
From Chambers journal.
American Indian Sketches.

From Chambers Journal.
American Indian Sketches.
In the vain hope Of awakening the cou~
science ofthe United States government 10
proper sense ofthe duty it owes iuIhe uNfor-
tUnate ahorigines who still exist within its
own territories, the pen has been taken M by
n Zealuus u well known friend ofthe Indians,
Thomas L. M'kcnncy late clIief' OF the bu-
reau oflndian affairs al Washington We
have perused this benevolent gentlemnus
narrative with considerable interest, and can
not but lament with him that year niier year
the native tribes are lessening in number,
less from their own intestine ieuds, than from
the dishonest appropriation oftheir lands,and
the vices introduced among them by the
whites. Alive TO the disgrace oitlis naionnl
crime, number of respectable citizens in
New ork, in 1899, attempted to move the
government on the subject: hut private inter-
csts were too powerful to he overcome, and
nothing was eventually done 10 improve The
condition Otthe sufferers. For the last sin
teen years systematic course has been per-
severed in DIMINISHING the remains of tho
Indian tribes TO wildernesses beyond The H.
vowed limits of'the States-;o be again doubt
less, moIested in these new huniinr-crounds,
when it suits the purpose of the white man to
make further encroachmcnis.
Referring principally TO official proceed
ings. Mr. M'Kenneys work does not admit OF
analysis, aud nothing Of the kind reed
he attempted 10y us. The author orcu-
slonally. however, relates an auecdote Illus
trntivc of his Indian experiences. and one or
two ofthese we shall pick out for the nmisc-
ment of orr readers. The first refers TO an
expedition in which he was concerned, along
with General Cass. in 1887, with II view of
settling trenty with several collected tribes
at place called Butte de Morris tIlilock Of
the Dend)
1.-The business Of the treaty, over, cverv-
thing was in motion preparing for the depart
IRE ofalI to their respective destinations. AT
one place might he seen group Of sGunws,
and children, and dogs all seeming TO he en-
gaged in budding together. or hauling to tho
waters edge their provision and fleet. whilst
others had their canoes in the water, and
others again were in the act ofgliding away
upon the smooth surface Of the river enjoy
ing the quet satisfaction winch the presence
otratons and good fare are so well caiculutcd
10 produce.
At this moment of general activity.
scream, wild and fearful was uttered. II was
by n female. A rush Oft thousand indiana
was made for the spot whence it proceeded.
looked, and saw in the midst Of the crowd
II mans ANN raised, with knife in the hand.
IL tell-and !hcn was heard anoiher scrermi
When sprang towards the scene of what
seemed to be strife ofblood, and Just rs
had reached it, Major f., having started from
an opposite direction, was ~ feet in nd
vance ofme and at the Instant when The
third blow was about 10 fall upon the victim
he struck and knocked down the man whn
was thus desperately employing the llocdy
weapon. There stood, trembling and hlced-
ing, fne-looking squaw. She was mother
off ln NXIf off hn NNl,O hal Il
tempt upon her life. The dctoil mus Gle of
each arm, just below the shoulder was cut
with deep gasies. These were given, ns
encll arm was raised, in succession. 10 shield
her body from the impending knife. Tho
first thrust had thus disabled one arm, The
second the other; and ir the third had been
given, there being no shield in TIC arms for
further protection (for they both hung pow
erless by her side,) it would doubtless have
gone, where the two first were aimed, to tis'
heart.
| took charge ofthe trembling and agtaicd
woman, giving orders TO the soldiers to take
the offender, and lock him up in our povisiol
house, until some suitable punishment should
be agreed upon for n crime SO fragrant and
bloody. Our surgeons having gone 10 the vii
age clennsed aud bound up the wounds:
and by the employment OF bandHgcs, kept the
arms stationary, giving her directions not to
use them, and sent her in charre Of her
daughter aud some friends to Green Bay, to
our surgeon. to be attendcdto. ...
The cause oflhc outrage was as follows
This woman and her daughter had carefully
put away her supplies &C., their noe,and
were on the eve of emharkation, when it was
rumored among the Indians that whiskey
dealer had arrived in the woods, behind our
treaty-ground. The moment it reached the
ears Of this reckless Indian, he started will,
others in quest ofth whiskey. Their moth
er-in-law, well knowing that their caicoes,.
and blankets, and stroudng, and pork, au,E
beef and -four, &c. would soon he parted
with, in exchange for this fire water, followe,N
him, entreating him not to 90, but to go home
and enjoy what had been given them there
She clung to him rather inconveniently,
he resolved OH freeing himself by the use Of
his knife. For some time she Rept off his
blows with her paddle: hut this being present
ly knocked from her hand, she had no shield
left hut her arms, and these were alternately
disabled in tho manner have stated.
Governor Cass coming along, narrated ALI
this, & 10 the inquiry, 'What shall we do with
this manP answered promptly, MIKE n wo-
man of him. And so we did. The proces -
,Noe this Tho spvcraI ip,py,,rciprS