The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-21
The Indian Troubles In Canada.
THE GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONERS AND THE INDIANS
IN COUNCIL.


A correspondent Of the Toronto (Ca) Globe of the
18th inst speaking Of the probable difficulty with the
Indians about their copper lands, at Sault Ste Marie
1t may be recellected that In the early part Of
the deputation Of three or four Indian Chiefs
from the Lake Superior country, passed through To-
ronto their way Montreal with an address to his
Exceency relative to the occupancy Of their lands by
whites Repeated deputstens had been sent previous
this one to none Of which had any attention been
paid but cold Indifference and marked neglect The
style of this last address to his Excelency clearly
showed that their former treatment had been
gotten by the Indians The reply of his Excellency
to the effect that their lands had been sold under
former administration, but that he would use every
exertion to have justice done now"
Having received this reply, they returned to their
homes not over and above pleased however they
given to understand that there should be no delayn
sending up commissioners to conclude a treaty with
them for the purchase Of these lands During
summer nothing more was heard relative to this
matter, and the Indians becoming impatient
Though still they relied upon the promise made them
Near month ago without any warning or notice given
60 the Indians tor the purpose OF collecting them a.
is usual on such occaons two Commissioners arrived
at the Sault Ste. Marie Notce given that upon
dian village eight ten miles Distant but upon
the next day the commissioners postponed it, and de-
cared their intention Of proceeding lake to Fort
with the different bands They told that it was
too late in the to meet bodies of Indians they
having gone inland to their hunting. Nevertheless
the commissioners started aud it occurred just as had
been anticipated they met but very few Indians along
the coast At Fort William they saw few whom they
collected at moments warning and proposed to them
to sell their lands But treaty made in fact 1t
not such a council as could conclude treaty
At another locality they met one Indian family, at
another two and at another five or six indians, and
without waiting to send word to Indians in the neigh
borhood, endssvor to collect any, they pushed on
until they again arrived at the saut Ste Marie upon
the 10th day Of October. Within the vicinity of this
place, number OF chiefs were anxiousy expecting
them, and notice was given that upon the following
day council would be held at the Hudson Bay Com
panys fort Accordingly, about the Indian chiefs
aud lRaans met at the place appointed and Mr. Com
missioner Vidal instead OF opening the council by ex
planning to the Indians the object his and for
what purpose the council had been requested, as Is
usual upon all such occasions comm his proceed
ings by asking series of most absurd and childish
questions TO which the chiefs replied with deal of
good humor and much patience, at every question
peotipg that the following would tend ghtea
them rs to what the actual object of the gentle
mans uissiop. At length two three
questions which might be said have reference
to their Grand One Did you ever lease lend
The reply was, We did and we will hold it good
now, the company still shall have it, Another was,
upon the island of Michipicotton % I'VE have done
SO and that We will hold good also; he shall have 1t to
work for usn Again " Have you leased or let the
Rev MIR. Anderson any land at your village at Gar
den River?n "We have done So and hold that good:
we give it for missions he is missionary among
ed By the government to inform you that it will not
sanction such acts Then came the questions "wlIl
shipgwskonce replied This a matter Of very grsa.
inportspce; ell the world and animals, derive
subsistence and support from the land"
MIR. VIDaL-Win you sell your lands yes or NOT
SHIScwAKoNcE-W cannot settle the question here,
whether will sell not; will take the Of the
day to consult among ourselves to morrow will
give you answer at this place, at ten o'clock We
not unwilling to sell some Of our lands
The following day at the hour appointed the chiefs
their reply to the questions Of yesterday namely, IL
they would sell their lands, sc.
SHrSGwAKoSCE then and said--This Ia question
OF vast importance to ourselves and TO chdrens
children -Four years have passed since the muers first
selves q the mineral which has placed there for
our use. We have the example Of eur brethren upon
tons; they sold all their lands and nov they can
only behold, but not share in the wealth which their
lands produce They have either been unfortunAts or
must keep some. When | sav lands occupied
without our consent twice travelled to Great
Father at Montreal aud asked in vain for justice We
sought assistance from several who hoped, night
aid us in cur difficulties; at last turned to who
had been among the first to upon lands, but
who always said :" You must be paid for your lands
lie became friend; on him placed our reliance,
and We can trust entirely TO him lie knows our wants
and wishes, and be has fu power and authority from
Us to lsct, and to conclude bargain with you;
whole affairs now In his hands lie Is white man,
sent by the government; he IL sent by Turning
TO Mir Maedonel, he said "My friend 1t is ter you
TO settle with them; have done To this all the In
diaI 8 present signided their appreciation.
MIR. MAcDoSgLL then rose, when Mr.. Vidal informed
him that the commissioner sent to treat with the
indians, and demanded of them IL they had more
hdsnee In Mr.. Macdonel than in the government. All
unanimously replied /" Yes, we have more confidence in
Mr. Mscdonell than In the government he alone shall
act for us MIR. Mscdonen then addressed the COM
issoners saying that he insisted upon the right OF
appearing there a the agent Of these people, whose
determination had been expressed TO him, Mr. vidal
by themselves. lilo said, am the servant OF these
people, free TO choose whom they may employ to nego
tiate with you-tbs servsnts OF party bidding
for their lands Mr.. Vidal In most Hurried aud
vous manner interrupted Mr. Macdonell, saying that
II be persisted the council should be broken up aud
that there should be no treaty to which Mr. Macdo-
nell replied will maintain the position In which this
people have placed II would be base and dishonor-
able In TO desert II now and as their agent tell
you then be the council dissolved, and let tnsre be no
treaty but upon your head rest the blame. here tell
them TO their face sir Anderson presently that they
not authorized to offer shilling for your lands
let them contradict ne ~ cay that Which IL not
They have questioned much about arrangements
r.lsti,s TO the Island Of Michipicoton The lsud Is
yours, and the rghtful title only from you
when you shall have transferred thst ttls 60 the GO
yernment then let them talk OF what taey will sanction
vhst they will not sanction As II Is you sell
e. you Keep IL, you farm II In what manner
you think proper. Yeu have come 70 the dstermina-
ton to reserve it for yourselves and who shall that
you shal not You have thought proper 20 enter into
arrangements with me- whereby become your servant
10 farm or work IL for you aud who dare say you shall
rot employ me WIN they tell you that you shall not
employ white man to plan. or dig your potatoes
They will not say Then how can they declare that
You shall not mploy me to farm that which yos know
IL far valuable DO not feel uneasy at the result
Of this day all these lands still your own and be
assured that every justice must yet be done you you
be but true TO yourselves And Il s fortunate for you
that this occurrence has happened you can nov per
csive what their object In seeking to treat with
parties here and there You must combine from one
end Of the lake the other be hrm be united and you
viii be strong Let all the chiefs meet at general
council ana there only receive proposals for treaty.
~ill say no more at present because shall have ma
ny opportunities suitable than this Mr.. Msc-
done then left the room followed BY all the chiefs and
We'll Ad these Indians tell his Exeellency, when re-
ferrng 20 former promises like this his last bro
ken aud forgotten az soon pledged Esther begin
20 fear that these sweet words had not their birth In
the heart, but that they lived only upon the lips"
The Hotels.