The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-08-29
Public Meeting at Wabashaw.

Public Meeting at Wabashaw.
AT meeting in the town of Wabash
aw, in the county Of Wabashaw, Ter
ritOry Of Minnesota, on what is com
monty known and called the Half-brecd
tract, on the l7th day of August, 1850,
by the Hal-breeds, claiming in common
with Cthers, and residing on said tract
of land; after having organized by
elec,ing "a Chairman and Secretary ,and
come to order, they unanimously adopt
ed the following declaration, stating in
brief, but strong terms, the cause and
object Of the meeting.
Whereas, many white persons have
for some time past been settled up n oar
lands, and many others coming In daily
with similar objects, and are committing
divers trespasses, such as destroying
our best timber as well as our hay
meadows, besides fencing in and claim
ing the best points of our common prop
erty, to our great injury, and contrary
to our expressed wishes. And where
as, some have so badly conducted
themselves us t. merit our sevcrest CEN
sure by setting the example tn others to
commit some offence contrary TO our
Joint rights; And whereas, among those
whites, some have been settled for some
time IN our midst, and who, taking ad-
vantage OF proper restraining power,
have, in violation of all moral as well
as civil law, pursued tie nefarious traE
tic o! ardent spirits, not only to the
transient way-farer, but to all, indis-
criminately, Indian As well as white, in
small quantities as well as large quanti-
ties, and have thereby caused us all the
trouble we ever had with drunken Indi-
ans: who, when overcome by the per-
mcIous article, are guilty Of acts they
would not be guilty of, were the oppor-
tunhy OF obtaining the abominable ar
tcie less common, and particularly
where it is prescribed by law; And
whereas they not only do that, but also
set the bad example of gambling by the
daily practice at their own dwelling
houses for the purpose Of gain, ard
openly keeping ,ippling shops whereby
gaming is encouraged; Therefore have
we met here fully determined to put a
stop to those grievances, and declared
that we are determined to use every
lawful means within our power, 70 pre-
vent all and every attempt to settle or
make claims on our common property; /;
And whereas we have full confidence in
Governor Ramsey either acting as Gov
ernor of the Territory or as Superinten-
dent of Indian Affairs, that his sound
Judgment and discriminating mind will
at once grasp the cause Of our com.
plaInt, and will not allow any time To he
lost before it is removed: Be il there
fore
Resolved, That we do now io;n in a
pet'tI'n TO him praying to take immedi-
ate measures for the following named in
dividnals, who are here, uniawfi,lIy tres
passing on our lands, and place them
out "f the limits ofour Half-hreed tract
VIZ: Charles Reed and household
Smith, " IN. Smothers, VIM. Whi,marsh
- Moss. ------ Bullet.
Resolved, That as there is treaty
now before the Senate of our country
tor ratification whereby the title NAV
pass from our hands, we deem it but
Just and reasonable that until it is rati-
fed our rights should remain invioIate.
it is therefore further
RnS.lvoI TL..
liked determinJtion n TO resist and prevent
all persons Whatever from settling or
trespasslng on our lands unless properly
authorized by law, and that we shall use
all lawful means within our power 70
prevent the same.
Resolved, That in Charles Reeds
c"nduc! ever since he settled on our
lands, we recognize a constant determi-
nation to set all laws at defiance, and he
deserves at our hands the greatest CEN
sure and reprobation for his constant
practice Of disposing Of ardent spirits in
small and large measures, to whites and
Indians, thereby causing us a good deal
ot trouble. and creating all our difficult
ties with drunken Indians, which ether
wise might have been avoided.
/ The chair having read the petition of
the Half-brecds, addressed to His Ex-
ceilency Governor Ramsey. and having
adopted the same by the unanimous con
sent Of the meeting. 1t was further
Resolved, That the chair appoint
Committee Of two persons to be the
board of said petition to His Excel!ency
and to bring back any answer he may
have to make; whereupon the chair
named Augustin Rocque and Joseph
Brusson, on the said Committee, and
Alexis Bailly as their Secretary.
On motion it was