The republic., 1850-12-31
The Indian. 4, Minnesota.

|
in the jurisdiction Of his superintendency. Its
leading points are embodied in the able report
of the Commissioner, which is already familiar
| to our readers but its details furnish some sta
tistical and historical information, synopsis of
which cannot fail to prove interesting.
| Three tribes of Indians now nhabit the Ter
ritory of Mnnesota-the Dacotahs, the Win
nebagoes, and the Chippewas; to which will
soon be added the Menomonies and the feeble
remnant of the Stockbridge Indians, both of
which tribes are shortly To be removed from
their present residence in Wisconsin.
| The Dacotahs or Sioux are scattered over
broad tract Of country extending from the vii
age of Shockapee, twenty y-five miles up the St.
Peters river, to the village of Wabashaw, one
hundred miles below its mouth. The valley of
the st. Peters, portion of which lies within
the above limits, is said to be fine agricultural
country, possessing very superior natural ad-
vantages. Governor RAMSEY styles it g the
garden of the northwest" Recent explorations
have proved that the river is navgable by
steamboats, for two hundred miles from its con-
fiuence with the Mississippi. In view of these
our northwestern border, arrangement will
doubtless be made in the contemplated treaty
with the Sioux, through which, by the ex-
tingushment of the Indian title, this fertile re-
| gion may be thrown open to the approach of
civilization.
| The Sioux people of warike propensi-
| ties, and are frequently engaged in hostilities
1
existed between them and the Chippewas for
more than two centuries, which all the efforts
of Jesuit and Protestant missionaries have been
unable TO assuage. In pursuance of this an
cient feud, the Sioux embellished their history,
on the I'd day of April last, by the slaughter Of
fourteen Chippewas in cold blood. Governor
RAMSEY forthwith demanded of the chiefs
| the perpetrators of this unprovoked barbarity,
who were surrendered, after some equivocation,
and were confined in the guard d-house at Fort
Smelling Meantime word was ,ent to the
Chippewas to direct them to desist from revenge;
bu: ere the messengers, charged with this err
rand, had threaded their way to the distant
Ojibway lodges, the Sioux were struck upon by
a scalping party, almost within gnnshot of the
fort. Information was soon after received that
the Chippewas were mastering for grand de-
scent upon the st. Peters, to reap a harvest Of
death in the valley of their enemies. The
neglect of the United States to enforce the
terms of treaty, concluded in lS43, to which
it had become, by acts of its agents, quasi
party, had exasperated both tribes, impaired
the influence of the Government officers and
Is IL.
newal of hostile collisions. Under these cir
cumstances a convocation of the two tribes
was deemed advisable in order to effect, if pos
sble, a settlement of their differences; and ac-
cordingly in June last, the hostile parties were
assembled in conference at Fort Smelling
some seventy ENJOYS representing the Chippe-
was, and yet larger number the Sioux. ''The
deliberations" says Governor RAMSEY, ''of
these wild republicans of the wilderness were
characterized by decorum and propriety
worthy of imitation by more august assem-
blages." A satisfactory arrangement was the
result; and since that time, Notwithstanding
the exasperation which had previously existed
between them, not solitary instance has arisen
of breach of the treaty of lS43 by either of
the tribes who were parties to the council.
With regard to the moral and social cOndi-
tion of the Sioux, Governor RAMsEy's report is
not very encouraging. Little progress has
been made in their religious culture. The ia
ciity with which they pass to the east Of the
Mississippi river, where ardent spirits are sold
10 them in defiance Of penal enactmenis, has
contributed much to their deterioration. As a
political community they live almost without
law; their chiefs, kept in awe by the"braves," /"
exercising but little influence. Property be
ing held in common, individual rights are but
slightly respected and there is no incitement
io accumulation. In this total absence of re-
cognised rights and remedies lies the principal
mpedment TO their civilization.
The Winnebagoes were nominaly removed
TO Minnesota in lS4s, but portion of the tribe
was suffered to remain in Wisconsin and Iowa
until last spring, when, upon the representation
Of the people of those States, contract was en-
tered into for their entire removal. Many OF
those who were actually colonized have exhib-
tied signs Of restlessness and disposition to
return to their old hunting grounds in Wiscon-
sin, where barriers, equally strong, do not op-
pose the qualification OF their inordinate attach
Inent 10 ardent spirits. In order to prevent the
detestable traffic, by which the Indians are sup
piled with these poisons. Governor RAMSAY
suggests the propriety Of extending the trade
and intercourse laws over public lands contigu-
GUS TO Indian territory. which have not become
subject to private entry. 1t is the lands thus
situated, without law, which are the principal
! theatre Of the Indian whiskey trade.
! The Chippewas, within the limits of the
United States, number about eight thousand
souls. OF this number, four thousand five hun
dred are in Minnesota; the remainder are at pre-
sent in Michigan and Wisconsin. but have cedec
the lands on which they reside, and are soon Il
remove to the same Territory.
These Indians are well-marked type anc
leading tribe Of the Algonquin stock. They cal
themselves Oj,b,oaig-tbe plural Of Onbway
from Ojib,oah, "puckered," or "drawn up;' :