Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-08-16
THE LATE INDIAN TREATIES.

3 The LATE INDIAN TREATIES.
II appears from the recent Telegraphic dispatches
from the Far West that Col. LUKE LEA, Commis-
sioner Of the Indian Department at Washington,
has been entirely successful, in co operation with
Gov. RAMSEY, Of Minnesota, in negotiating two
several Treaties with different tribes of Indians
who possessed immense tracts Of valuable wild
lands on the Upper Mississippi and its contributory
streams, and ranged the wilderness in pursuit Of
precarious subsistence by hunting. The particu-
lar bands treated with are the Sioux of the Upper
and Lower Bands. Ithas long been desideratum
Of the Government and Of all humane persons and especial
y Of the American citizens Of those remote regions, to have
treaties negotiated for the purchase Of these lands and for
the protection, improvement and better government Of me
ndisns themselves For years these Indians have been
melting away, like the before the rising sun, BY the
onward march of emigration, and the increasing dearh Of
game Under the influence Of these combined causes these
Indians have found difficult 10 obtain bare sustenance
Entirely uncvzed, and profoundly ignorant Of the arts o.
peace and the improvements in agculue their only means
of sustaining life in the chase But in the diminished
number Of the buffalo and other game, they have been re-
duced to the greatest Distress
They were invited to council for the negotiation Of
treaties and they appeared in large numbers Of men, women
and children As the different bands 10, they appear
essA
hungry The first thing they asked for something to
eat, and the vocious appeties with which they devoured
the beef and other provisions furnished by the Government
was the best evidence Of their wants and necessities They
were, in fact, like hungry wolves.
It was the knowledge Of this Of things which induced
the Administration to organize special commission
posed Of Col LEA and Gov. RAMsrr, the part for
their immediate relief and the other for extinguishng
their titles to the precious lands that in for the
tide Of civilized population which sets powerfully in
that direction.
In view Of their pressing cIcumstances the Admnistra
ton udousy selected Col LEA, the Commissioner Of In
dian Affairs at Washington, to repair TO the wilderness to
freely with the tribes, and 10 make treaty mutu
ally beneficial to the Indians and the white settlers Il
great privation for COL LEA leave comfortable home,
at nclement season, to penetrate the wilderness But
chief Of the Indian Bureau in Washington, he hsd devoted
his lime and talents to thorough investigation Of the whole
matter, and he disposed shrink from useful
vice. He gentleman Of great ability method, and
search Of humanity and varied accomplishments. In
able report TO the last session Of Congress he embodied
sketch Of system Of policy for the future disposition and
government Of all the Indian tribes and especially in regard
bands raveng the remote deserts Of the Far Northwest
He seemed to be the very man. of all Others to send to me-
goae these important treaties In his two several speeches
to the tribes OF the two councils while ne exnbed MS pa
osm and attention the interests Of the Government and
the people of the Territories, he showed the benevo
lent interest which he felt in the welfare Of the Indians He
ncuIcaed attention agriculture and the Of peace and
every thing that tends the civilization and improvement
of the children of the forest had become necessary for
the Indians to part with their ands alike for their bene
t and for that Of the we settlers. He willing to
purchase for fair equvaen and to provide for them the
utmost extent Of the provisions Of the Government In
cordance with these humane views, these treaties have been
contaminated, and doubt that they will rebound to
the benefit Of the tribes and the good Of the republic and Of
the people Of those remote Territories Coming from Wash
ngton-from the Department Of the Government having
especial charge Of Indian AFFAIRS and from whose posi-
on their Great Father the President Of the
United Stateshe could speak from the highest authority,
and, SUCH bis words made gea. impression the tribes
The result has been precisely what anticipated Two
important treaties have been made and far these bands
and their large domains concerned, the negotiation has
been entirely successful the Indians have been provided for
and this territory about to be opened for emgra
ton and civilization.
After these important services COL LEA expected
back TO Washington, where he will be heartily welcomed by
a large circle Of devoted friends
but justice remark that in this service he received
the valuable cooperation Of Gov RAMSEY, Joint Com
missioner BY whose united energies these treaties were ne
goiated