The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-09-04
The Indian Treaties.

Ii appears from the recent Telegraphic
dispatches from the Far West, that Col.
Luke Lea, Commissioner of the Indian De-
partment al w Washington, has been entirely
successful, IN co operation with Gov. tam
sey, of Minnesota, in negotiating two sew
eral Treaties with different tribes of Indians
who possessed immense tracts of valuable
Wild lands OH the Upper Mississippi and
its contrbutary streams, and ranged the
wilderness IN pursuit Of precarloLs sub
sistence by hunting. The particular bands
treated with are the Sioux of the Upper and
| Lower Bands. 1t has long been desider
atum of the Government and of all humane
persons, and especially Of the American Cit
izeus of those remote regions, to have trea-
ties negotiated for the purchase OF these
lands, and for the protection, improvement,
and better government Of the Indians them
selves. For years these Indians have been
melting away, like the snow before the RI
sing sun, by the onward march of emigra-
ton, and the increasing dearth of game
/ Under the influences Of these combined
causes, these Indians have found il difficult
TO obtain bare subsistence. Entirely un-
civilized, and profoundly ignorant of the
arts of peace and the Improvement in agri-
culture, their only means Of sustaining life
was in the chase. But, 10y the diminished
number Of the buffalo and other game, they
have been reduced TO the greatest distress.
/ They were invited 10 council for the
negotiation of treaties, and they appeared
in large numbers Of men, women and chill
,lren. AS the different bands came in, they
appeared in a starving condition. They
were poor, squalid, and hungry. The first
thing they asked for was something to eat,
and the voracious appeti,es with which they
devoured the beef and other provisions fur
nshed by the Government, was the best ev-
idence OF their wants and necessities. They
were, in fact, like hungry wolves.
| Ii was the knowledge Of this state of
things which induced the Administration to
organize special commission, composed Of
Col. Lea and Gov. Ramsey, on the one
part for their immediate relief, and on the
other for extinguishing their titles TO the
precious lands that were IN reserve for the
tide of civilized population which now sets
so powerfully IN that direction.
In view OF their pressing circumstances,
the Administration judiciously selected Col
Lea, the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs at
Washington, to repair 10 the wilderness to
commune freely with the tribes, and to make
a treaty mutually beneficial 10 the Indians
and the white settlers. Ii was a great pri-
walton for Gel. Lea TO leave a comfortable
home, at all inclement season, TO penetrate
the wilderness. But, as chief of the Indian
Bureau in ashington, he had devoted his
tine and talents to a thorough investigation
of the whole matter, and he Vas not dis
posed To shrink from a useful service. He
Is gentlemen or great ability, method, and
research; of humanity and varied accom-
plishmcnts. In an able report to the last
session of Congress, he embodied n sketch
of a system OF policy for the future dispos-
ton and government of all the Indian tribes
and especially in regard to bands traversin =
the remote deserts of the Far Northwest.
He seemed TO be the very man, Of all 9th
ers, to send 10 negotiate these iinportan.
treaties. In his two several speeches to the
tribes Of the two councils, while he cxhib-
tied his patriotism and attention TO the in
terests of the Government and to the peo-
pie of the new Territories, he showed the
benevolent interest which he felt in the wei
fare of the Indians. He inculcated atten-
ton to agriculture and the arts Of peace,
and to every thing that tends to the civil
zarIon and improvement of the children OF
the forest. Ii had become necessary for
the Indians TO part with their lands, ulike
for their own benefit and for that Of the
Wulte setlleTS. ne was Wiling 10 purchase
for a fair equivalent, and to provide for
them 10 the utmost extent of the provisions
of the Government. In accordance with
: these humane views, these treaties have
been consummated, and we doub, not thai
they will rebound to the benefit of the tribes
and the good of the republic and of the peo.
pie of those remote Territories. Coming
from Washington-from the Department oi
the Government having especial charge OF
Indian affairs, and from one whose position
was near to their "Great Father" the Pre-
sdent of the United States-he could speak
from the highest authority, and, as such
his words made great impression on the
tribes. The result has been precisely wha
was anticipated. Two important trea,ie.
have been made, and, so far us these band.
and their large domains are concerned, the
negotiation has been entirely successful; the
0 Indians have been provided for, and thi
vast territory is now about TO be opened fol
emigration and civilization.
, After these important services, Col. Lei
= n is soon expected back to Washington
:, where he will be heartily welcomed by
e large circle of devoted friends.
1t is but justice to remark that in this ser
vice he received The valuable cooperation
Of Gov. Ramsey, rs Joint Commissioner
by whose united energies these treatie
: were negoti ed National Int, Aug. IL