The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-28
TIL E UNION.

Wisconsin The acquisition by the government OF these
lands now much wanted Tor settlement and cultivation,
is OF much consequence 10 our White popnlahor ana 10
the prosperity of that section of Wisconsin; while
would be much better Tor the indians, surrounded and
pressed upon, they in great measure by whiies
and suffering all the evils and disadvantages OF such po-
ston-to them unnatural and unfortunate oneto sell
out and elsewhere. Their situation is similar to
that of the Wnnebagoes, and the same strong and cogent
reasons that exist in favor OF change in case, OBJ
tain also in the other One OF the commissioners was
taken i'll and obliged to return before reaching the Chip
pewa country; and the other was unweI al
ter terminating the negotiations with the Chippewas,
as to be unable proceed to the Menomone country
He returned through Wisconsin, however, and had some
opportunity OF gathering Information as to the views and
feelings OF the Menomonies the subject OF cesslon OF
their lands He perfectly satisfied that to make
treaty with them now, anything like reasonable terms,
or upon conditions that would be ludicous and sdsiac-
tory TO the government, is utterly impractcabe. They
greatly in debt TO traders and others and are almost
entirely under the influence and control OF their creditors
and half breed relatives, who expecting to profit largely
by what may be allowed for their lands not only stmu-
late them to demand an exobtan price, but dissuade
them from treating at present any terms, In the hope
that the resolution of the Senate OF March 3D. 1888,
which prohibits provision being made in treaties with the
Indians for the payment OF debts, will be repealed In
this trust and believe they will be disappointed The
resolution wise and sautary provision and has
been attended with the most beneficial results. Before
its adoption, traders and Others in anticipation OF trea-
y being made with tribe, in which debts would be pro-
vided for induced them recklessy to in debt, by
every by which they could tempt their uncontrolled
and unregulaed fancy and ncnatons, so that great
il not the greater, portion OF the consideration pal
for their lands fell into their hands Treaties, IN
fact, were made almost exclusively for the bene-
fit of such persons; for through their influence over
the Indians, they could dictate whatever terms they
pleased Being Immediately and constantly associated
with the Indians, and having the powe through credits
and representations to make them believe that they are
their best and only true friends and beneacors Their IN
huence is still most powerfulgreater, probably, than
that of the government 49, can be yet since the adop-
ton of the resolution in question, the perncons system
of excessive credits in anticipation of treaty has, in
imi
the department has been compelled at least for the pres
ent, abandon all idea OF negotiating with the Menomo-
mes. -,
From the accompanying papers (marked F. it will be
perceived that difficulties OF grave character exist among
the Stockbrdge Indians in Wisconsin. A law OF March
3d. lsi3 passed at their own request or on the appca
ton of number of them, made them citizens, and provl-
ded for division OF the lands in their reservation among
them in severay. BY an act OF August 9TH 1916, TINS
law repealed and the Stockbrdges restored TO their
position and customs Indians, except such as preferred
remaining citizens and would come forward and register
their names with the sub-agent within three months
The reservation then to be divided between the
parties, proportion 10 numbes-one part TO be called
the citizen, and the other the Indian district; and the
lands in the former to be allotted in severalty, as
under the first law The citizen party refused to come
forward and enrol their Names alleging that they were
already invested with citizenship and all its privileges OF
which Congress had no power % deprive them; ana 1ha
they unwilling 10 do anything that would lead to
the assignment which had been made OF te lands being
disturbed; many of them having been sold to innocent
purchasers for a valuable consideration. There
thus no basis for division Of the reservation between
the parties; and il being, therefore, mpachcable to pro
coed further in the execution OF the law according to IT'S
intent, the department required the sub-agen TO obtain
all the information in his power upon the several ques-
tons involved in order that the whole subject might be
fully laid before Congress for its consideration.
Ii will be that the citizen party insist upon the
right of citizenship, Notwithstanding their refusal to
rol their Names whilst the other party contend that, IN
consequence of that omission. all are again Indian, and
the lands not subject to divisions and they have called
upon the subagent to have all white persons removed
from them. The right of many of those claiming TO be
members OF either party particularly the na to t Pc
lands, is strongly contested and the residences and I'M
provements OF those of the one are SO nterninged
with those of the other, that il would Impractical
BILE to separate them in the manner required by the
| law, without compelling many, al great sacnhce
to abandon their property. IT would also appear that
the lands which were allotted to them to persons VINO
purchased in good faith and for valuable consideration
and who, # the law OF 1916 were carried Out, wonld lose
expended in improvements as well as Their time and la
Dor The department is disposed to concur IN the opn-
ion expressed by Gov Dodge, that the only practicable
remedy for the difficulties which have thus arisen is for
the Stockbrdgcs to dispose OF the whole OF their lands
and such OF them choose, to remove where they can
adopt such form of government as they may prefer
Unfortunate collisions have taken place between some
of the tribes the northwest attended by bloodshed and
loss of life. The Sioux one OF the most restless and
mschievous of tribes have committed attacks the
Omahas, the Otoes, the friendly Pawnees north of the
Platte, and the Wnnebagoes which, in the case of the
Ouoes led to retaliation, followed by second at,
|
into separate bands headed by different chiefs and
occupy large extent OF country on and above
the ST Peters, between the Mississippi and Missouri
rivers. portion only-hose living the MISSISSIPPI
preceive annutes from the United States; and, having
been concerned in the attack upon the Wnnebagoes
ders given for their punishment, and for withhold
ing their annuties until they made full and ample salts
faction Understanding this, they manifested contriton
for the outrage, and voluntarily came forward to make
| such reparaton the admitted. They acknowl
edged their suitable and becoming terms to the
Wnnebagoes and entered INTO an arrangement to pay
them four thousand dollars, in four equal annual pay
ments for the and benefit of the relatives OF the nd
viduas who were slain. This arrangement entirely
satisfactory the Wnnebagoes; and good understand
| ing seems now to subsist between the two parties The
| Winnebagoas were much exasperated and it was with
considerable difficulty that with some OF the Poltawaio
mics who had 10 their aid, they could be prevented
from taking violent revenge. Much credit is due to Gen
Fletcher the sub-agent, to the commanding officer at Fort
Atkinson, and TO Henry NJ Rice, esq, resident trader
who, by their firm and udcious efforts prevented such
result and who with the cooperation of the agent for
Guilty in the peaceful and satisfactory manner in which 1t
was arranged. The other attacks made by the
Sioux residing the vicinity OF the Missouri river
to whom we pay annuities and whom it is difficult to
control.
| A party OF Pawnees residing south of the Platte who
also evil disposed and treacheous, made attack in
the spring on party OF emgrants to Oregon, and did
much mischief though lives reported to have been
lost Instructions given for the punishment OF both
them and the Sioux by military force and for taking
hostages for their future good conduct For the more
efectual protection of citizens emigrang to Oregon,
and of the Omahas, Ottoes, Poncas, and other weak
tribes in the vicinity of the Sioux the Platte and
military post somewhere near the mouth of the Plat,e
| which, in conneXiOn with that be established