The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-01-02
Indian Feuds.

III FUrt onetiing, Inc gorgeous array OF
painted Sioux and ChiPpewas, at the COM
mand of Governor Ramsey, meeting togeth-
er there in COUNSEL, 10 effect at least an ar
,nistice, forge, the imposing scene. They
assembled on one Of the balmiest days of
June, day as delightful as ever gIowed
from the pencil of an Italian landscape
painter.
by nine O'Clock in the morning, a large
'concourse of persons had assembled at Fort
Smelling, FROM various quarters and espe-
CHILLY from Saint paal, to witness the trea-
~. Fort Smelling is a, the extreme apgIe
of high table land. between the Mississip-
pi aud the Saint Peter-a beautiful elevated
plain, covered with grass as far ss the eye
can exteud. Near the bank Of the Missis-
sippi and distant from the Fort few hum
dred yards, are the stables Of the garrison,
and in the open space between the garrison
and the stables were thu encampmen,s of
the Chippowas, and there was the Council
ground. Capt. Monroe was present with a
small detachment of infantry, and few
troops were ready for service in the Fort, as
well As artillery. The Chippewas were ly-
ing about their tents, seeming quite content
ed, laughing, talking, playing together, and
some gambling in various ways. There
seemed nothing surly or stoico! in their
countenances. A message was at length
sent by the Governor to notify the Sioux
that they would be expected in half an hour
If ut all. At length they made their appear
ancc mile distant, upon brow Of the hill
across the Sain, Peter. The few infantry
preseni on the approach of the Sioux, were
extended in an open line, nearly from the
Fort to the stables, so as to form separa-
tion between the Cbippewns in their rear
and the advancing band Of the lSionr, num-
bering perhaps 500, 4 large portion on
horseback, armed and painted, who by this
time were rushing up on the plateau,
screaming and whooPing horribly, them
selves loaded with jngling arms and orna-
ments, and their horses with bells on, the
whole of them rushing OH at full speed and
making feint IS if they would pass around
The stable, turn the right right flank of the
infantry and attack the Chippewas; but they
were only showing off; having, in fact, all
due respect for those ugly castiron orators
Of Uncle Sans. The iine Of Chppewas
remained where it was at the time oftbe
grand entree, Tor we can compare it TO
nothing it SO much resembed as grand
entree into stupendous circus,) they con-
tinuins to dance, and shout, and brandish
their weapons as if aching for an onslaught.
The Chippewas, are Of the Algonquin
race Of Indians, and the Sioux, are the chief
tribe Of that class &C tribes known under the
general name of Dakotas. The Sioux in
habit the most Of the country lying north of
Iowa and Yves, Of the Mississippi; the Chip
pewas, possess the land between Lake Su-
perior and the Mississippi river; much of
which they have annexed from Sioux do
minion The Algonquins differ much from
the Dakoias, although both are savage
races. The former are fairer and look to
be be better fed aud more cheerful and con-
tented. They are mostly, right pleasant,
kind soled fellows, if physiognomy is any
index Of character; but the history OF the
written and unwrtten wars and murders
committed Oh both sides, is barbarous be-
yond description. In lS43, treaty was
made between them; busits stipulation were
disregarded, murder after muler was per-
petrated, changes Of agencies and govern
ment officers were made, and the Govern
inent took no notice of these violations, IN
I'll many sca!ps were taken on each side and
it was disputed on which side was The pre-
pondcrnce of wrong. The treaty was treat
ell as q nudity. certainly oil the part of the
Sioux, aud war parties were formed this
spring, and the bloodiest tragedies Of Indian
warfare were re-enacted.
The result Of the conference, showed the
utter impOssibiliiy Of any adjustment at that
time, of wrongs arising from violation of
the treaty OF 1913. The Chippcwas claim
ell large indemnify for scalps taken by the
Sioux. These were their words: For the
fret life which the Sioux took, after The
troary Of 1913. they agreed to pay $780,
We consider this as a precedent; and as we
do not require blood, which would only
widen our difficulty, we demand satisfaction
pecuaiary. We have lost 80 lives, of those
parties to the treaty and receiving annui-
ties. We acknowledge to have killed five
Sioux, which leaves US n balance Of 81 lives.
for which we expect $ll00 head, making
total of SIS, 700. Upon the most solemn
assurances hy the Governor, that their past
grievances should be Immediately adjusted e.
Washington, they entered into solemn slip
ulations, strengthened by delivering hostages
ou both sides, to bury the Ratchet. Moth
ing but the prompt and active decision by
the government, between these nations, Of
the differences existing between them Under
the treaty Of 1913, can secure peace. 1t