The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-08-28
Treaties with tho Indians of minnesota.

We have heretofore stated that the Hon.
LUKE LEA, the Commissioner of Indian AT
fairs, and the Hon. ALEXANDER RAMSEY, the
Governor of Minnesota, had negotiated two
treaties with the Indians of that Territory; the
one on the twenty third of July, and the other
on the third Of August. The first was with
the See see -toan and Wah- pay-toan bands of
Dakotah or Sioux Indians. In consideration of
ceding and relinquishing all their lands in the
State of Iowa and in Minnesota, the United
States Government agrees to pay them ST ,665,-
900. Ofthis amount, 1906, 900 are appropriated
for the settlement of the just affairs of the
chiefs, subsistence of the Indians for the first
year after removal to their new home, for man
ual labor schools erection of mills, blacksmiths'
shops, opening farms, fencing, breaking land,
and for such other beneficial purposes as may
be deemed most conducive to the happiness of
the Indians.
The second treaty is with the Med ay-wa-
kai-toau and Wah pay koo-tay bands ofDakotah
or Sioux Indians. To these S 100000 are to
be paid on the REIMBURSEMENT of all their lands;
and after specifying that $780, of this
amount shall be expended for objects similar
to those mentioned in the first treaty, the bal
ance of the money, Sl,l60,000, and also that of
the parties to the other treaty, ST 100000, is
to remain in trust with the United States, at
five per cent. interest certain sums TO be paid
annually for fifty years, commencing on the
LIST of July, 1852, in full of principal and in
terest, for general agricultural improvements,
civilization fund, educational purposes, pur-
chase of goods and provisions, and money an
nuties. This will give per annum to the See
see-toan and Wah-pay-toan bands SOS, 900, and
to the Med-ay- wa katoan and Wah- pay -koo-
tay bands $5S, 900 for these purposes.
In both of these treaties it is stipulated and
solemnly agreed that the peace and friendship
now so happily existing between the United
! States and these bands of Indians shall be per-
petual; that the laws of the United States for
| bidding the introduction and sale of spirituous
liquors in the Indian country shall be in full
| force and effect throughout the coded territory
lying in Minnesota, until otherwise directed by
Congress or the President of the United States;
and that rules and regulations TO protect the
rights Of persons and property of the parties
to the treaties, adapted to their condition and
wants, may be prescribed and enforced in such
manner as the President of the United States
or Congress from time to time may direct.
The Indians, in consideration Of the obliga-
tons Of the United States, consent TO remove to
the location specified, embracing ten miles of
country on each side Of the minnesota, or St.
Peters river. The number who will partici-
pate in the treaty provisions is six or eight
thousand Indians-men, women, and children.
In the course of a conversation with Com
missioner LEA, yesterday, we learned, and
take the liberty of repeating, that as majority
Of the Indians were unwilling to leave the
Mississippi altogether, the negotiators succeed
ed in inducing them to retire few miles from
that river. They are to be located on the Min
sesota, above the head of navigation, in long
line Of prairie country on each side of the river
but with a sufficient amount Of timber TO meet
their wasteful demands The soil is rich; the best
kinds Of fish are caught in the river and lakes
and there are deer and wild fowl in abun-
dance. The Indians, in addition, will be per.
mitted to roam outside Of their prescribed
boundaries until the lands which they have
ceded shall be occupied by white men.
Should the treaties be ratified by the Senate
Of the United States, we will obtain proba-
bly, thirty,6vc millions Of Gcresl an area equa
in extent to New York or Pennsylvania, anC
embracing not only land in Minnesota, but three