The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-08-07
THE SIOUX TREATY.

TRAVERSE DEs Sioux. July 81, 1851.
The Council re assembled at IL o'clock
NJ.
After the usual prelminaries, anL long
pause, the chief (Esh-ta- -hunba,) Sleepy
Eyes. whose remarks on Saturday had caus
ed the Council to adjourn in confusion
arose and said On the day before yes,er
day when we conversed together, you were
offended, hear, at what was said. No Of
fence or disrespect was intended. We only
wanted more time to consider. The young
men who made a noise were waiting to have
ball play, and thinking the Council over,
arose, and as they did so, made the disturb.
ance which we were sorry for.
Coz. Ramsey:-There was no particuIa,
objection to what was said. You had q
right to ask for further time. Your leaving
the Council in the manner you did, was oL.
jected to. But what you have said is re-
ceive,i as full explanation. The Council
is now again open for business end we are
prepared to hear anything the chiefs have
to lay before US.
The chief Oo-pee-y va hed-ay-a, or "Cur.
ly Head" then said | am not speaking
for myself, but for all that are here. We
wish to understand what we are about be-
fore we act-to know exactly the proposi.
ton made to US by the Commissioners.-
The chiefs and people desire that you will
make out for us in writing, the particulars
of your offer for our lands, and when we
have this paper fully made out, we will ST,
down on the hill above US, consult among
ourselves, come to a conclusion about it.
and inform you what it is
Col. Lea then wrote out in detail. the
terms as verbally given at the previous meet
ing of the Council.
The Indians cede to the United States all
their lands in the State of Iowa, and east of
a line from the Red River TO Lac Traverse.
and thence to the northwestern corner OF
Iowa.
]. The United States will set apart a
suitable county for the Indians on the up-
per waters of the Minnesota river, for their
future home.
Q. An amount (say $l25 or $lSO,OOO, }
will be paid to enable them to arrange their
affairs preparatory to removal to defray
the expenses Of removal and to suhsist them
selves for one year after their removal-par,
to be paid in money, part in goods aud pro-
visions.
8. An annuity Of from $25 to $4,000
will be paid to the Indians for many years
say SO to 4O years-part in money, part in
goods and provisions, and part to be applied
to such other beneficial objects as may be
agreed upon.
Col. Lea then said /: have written down
at your request the proposition made to you
at our last meeting. But before we trouble
ourselves further in relation to this bust
ness, we wish to know certainly whether
they intend to sell this country, and have
made up their minds to do so if we car
agree rs TO terms.
Curly HeGd:-When those sitting around
here have seen this paper, had it explained
to them, and talked i, over among them.
selves, we will let you know our opinion in
regard to it. meant to have said before
that we wish to sell, and we will give YOU
our country if we are satisfied with your Of.
fers for it.
Cot. Lea:-If we do anything in regard
to making a treaty here, il must be done
quickly. You ars not women aud children
but men and chiefs, and ought to be able to
act without delay, like men. We shall ex.
pect to hear your views decisively at ou,
next meeting.
GoU. Romsey:-We have made known
to you our offer. When you meet US again
if you are not satisfied with our terms, you
can inform us what It Is you wish for youl
lands, and we will then take your PROPOSE
ton into consideration likewise, as you are
about to do ours.
Council adjourned.