The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-10-14
THE UNION.
To the Editor ofMe Union:

"a few of the same Sort
have been paying visit to the Wnnebago county.
purchased recently by the government The most i'm
polant point IN the neutral country is Fort Atkinson 1t
IS bl nearly IN the centre OF the late purchase upon
enlnence overlooking Turkey river The buildings are
comparatively new, and the whole post is kept in first
rate order II is so much like all military posts that any
further description of it would be useless Suffice ii
say, mat II beautiful spot, in the midst of country
upon which Nature has lavished her most bountifu
riches The post is garrisoned by volunteer company
OF drigoons mustered in serve during the war; and
commanded by Captain Jas M. Morgan, of Iowa The
company numbers seventy five fine looking young men,
OF the very best material of volunteers The horses fully
come up TO the requirements OF the regulations, bright bay
in color and said by old residents here to be the best
sci OF horses ever In the at that post The
pany has been drilled constantly since their enlistment by
an old drill OF the regulars, that employed Gin the alb
sence OF all books OF Dragon accs) at the expense
the officers, who feel pride in having their company
equal to any in the service The command now con
versant with all company maneuvres and the sabre and
carbne exercise and it Uncle Sam should choose in the
abundance OF his wisdom, 10 transfer them to the "feld
OF glory, they would doubtless render good account of
themselves, and attempt 10 place the character of their
cent sisters, whose have CALAMITY borne ao The
stars and stripes through many sanguinary and en-
Three miles below the garrison is the Wnncbago sub
agency, Indian school. farms, &c. &C. The agent Gen
D. r. tlecher IS now absent in ST Louis. for the Indian
annuitles He is expected back about the 18th or goth
and soon after he arrives the Indians will receive their
annuihes. The Winnebagoes are in the enjoyment
OF good health and good many of them have raised
line crops OF corn this season They are becoming more
proyident than they were formerly, and are altogether
more shrewd In the expenditure of their annutes than
years gone by. Families are generally provided with
ponies to transport themselves and their household
safies IN their tramps and few of them drive their
own wagons which are becoming rather fashionable
among them Gen. Fletcher studies to promote their in
more curses than thanks; but that makes little difference
with him: he has the satisfaction of knowing that he
discharges his duties fully From slight survey of his
duties, | think hazard nothing in saving that he is
me has M
sponsblity for less pay, than any officer in the govern
ment employ Any agent who does his duty conscien-
housy must expect to pass through the ordeal of scandal
and maligmty. There are so many petty claims, with
little or no grounds made against the Indians that if the
agent intereres to protect the Indians, he ncurs all the
dspeasure OF the claimants On the other hand Indians
are proverbally difficult TO please as petted children
The only alternative, then, for agent very Often to
choose manly and dgnied course, independent of all
the government.
The Indian school, under the management OF the Rev.
d. Lowry is well attended by numerous brghteyed little
scamps and quiet misses have visited the school,
but have heard those say who have, that il sur
prsing how they read, write and cipher Some few of
the Indians that have been educated abroad have not
realized the antcpaons OF their friends Owing to this,
great deal OF prejudice has been attempted be created
against the cause of education among the Indians Suf-
lucent time has not yet elapsed to consider it having
been fully tried 1t will take years. and constant effort
TO develop the benefits OF education among the Indians
any rate 1t is phianthropc in its designs and reflects
credit on our government No theory in its incpient
stages ever realized the fond wishes of its patrons
among even civilized beings With how much charity,
then, should look upon education among the savages
when II is still viewed by them rather ceminate? but,
IN this day of progress the word impossible has become
obsolete, and will soon be erpunged
The knowing ones out here connected with the Indians
are prognostCang the future history of the
red man. Its commencement will be dated from the pc
Rod the Indian department under the control OF the
present able and interchangeable Commissioner. The atten-
ton he gives to his duties fast winning laures for him
May fortune smile proptiousy upon all the noble efforts
in his philanthropc designs connected with that unfor-
nate race that is passing rapidly into oblivion, until soon
they Will exist but IN song and poesy
Within three four miles of the garrison the ira
ding posts owned by Messrs Bsbois s. Rice of the Fur
Company, and the Messrs. Ewing of Indiana They
regularly licensed traders being under bond and
curty and keep supplies all the year round at their sta
lions, which is attended with small expense. Apropos
going the rounds (and which believe copied into
Your valuable paper which appeared originally in the
Bloomington dowa Herald purporting to Be based upon
Fort Atkinson, and the editor of the Herald which bears
down upon the traders with vengeance. have under
stood that Lieut. Mex. will soon set the matter right
forth the article referred to, when Lieut.. Nick.
passing Bloomington this summer; the editor in question
met him, and asked him the news from the Indian
try. Lieut. Nick. replied, hat all things were going on
smoothly up there and if it was not for the Whtskey ira
ders, there would be scarcely any trouble at ALL" The
editor misunderstood him, and made distinction be-
tween the runSees and those engaged legitmately ira
ding with the Indians AS class interested
IN suppessng the whskey trade than the licensed traders
PERSONS generally In tnS country do not dignity men
with the name of traders tne tier only stock consists Of
barrel of miiskey! The licensed traders here gen
temeh whose characters, where they are known stand
too high for prebty and honor to be affected by any
paper articles AS body, they have behaved correctly
and honorably; and, so far my knowledge extends
they have always been found the side OF order and
justice, and generally sustaining the agent and the gov
eminent
As specimen of some OF the licensed traders we might
point out several but take the one associated with Gen
Isaac a. Verplanck of Batavia, ~ Y, purchase of the
Chippewas home for the Winnebagoes, H. M Rice |
esq., who has just returned from trip of two three
thousand miles in the discharge of his duties This la
borous trip performed in the very heat Of summer
and the most OF il through country occupied by
ages. They crossed from the Mississippi to Lake SuPe
rior back again to the Mississippi and then north as far
have purchased home for the Winnebagoes and Me
nominees, which will undoubtedly prove satisfactory TO
all concerned Ii is not my province to besow fusome
praise upon any one; and, distinctions, like compare
sons, might not be agreeable will forbearremarking
that in all their acts, it will be found that they had an
dams &c. for the present. lei bid a1eu to the traders
have immediate indirect interest with their bust
ness, but only anxious that equal and Justice might
be done TO ALL induced to notice the mistake of the
Bloomington Qowa) Herald
Dr. Dale Owen, of the United States geological party,
accompanied BY Mr.. Evans, OF your city, and Mr. Ma
gill; OF Chicago, arrived at this place, and short time
Owen is making careful survey of this section of the
great west He and his party started for Cedar river and
Clear lake. Their report will embody mass of valu
BILE information to persons DESTROYS of choosing this
ton of country for future emigration More anon
Your friend, A TRAVELLER
Letter Captain Bragg.
tho