The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-02-13

tween these tri9es have remained UNI
changed. The mission houses establish-I
ed among them, monuments Of the zeafI
and devotion of pious and sell-sacrilic-I
ing men, are unfortunately monuments ALL
50 orun.ei quite and unproductiye cfarts.
EventAe wholesome restraint exercised
by ge.a.nelt oyer their ceaales-isas.I
failed to appease their ancient hate, or
perceptibiy .modiiy their stationary and
unbending habits. Accordingly, on the
seeosd day of April last, the Sioux en-
bellished theiF,. history by the slaughter
ofionrteen ChipPewas, upon Apple riv-
er, q. stream which- empties iss~waters4
not far from the. head Of Lake ST. Groix
on the Wisconsin side, Although the
attack was coniormabie to that system
Of ethics which teaches the Indian that
Injuries are redressed by revenge, and
that might is the security otright, SO UNI
provoked an aggression could not pass
unaoticed, aud i demanded Of the chiefs
of the bands implicated in the barbarity
the tradition of the leaders into charge
q. OF the commanding officer at Fort Smell
i. ling. After Huch delay and equivo-
cation tai5 was done, and the prominent
participatorS la the affair were confined
in the guard-house of the fort. Mean
time word was sent 10 advise the Chip
q pewas ,that had taken the matter into
haa5, aud to direct them to desist from
revenge; but ere the messengers charg-
ed with the csice had threaded the wild
q erGess of plain and forest to the distant
eOjibway lodges, the Sioux were struck
upon by scalping party, almost within
2 reach OF the guns of Fort Snclling.-
Under circumstances which surrounded
this unreasonable attack, thought it
bat just to enlarge the Indians who were
imprisoned, in order that they might be
able, if occasion should rise, to protec
their tilml!es. Shortly information
REACHED mc, fen reliable sources, that
tic Pillagers, a warlke branch of the
great Chippewa family, were mastering
for grand decent upon the St. Peters,
to reap a harvest of death in the valleys
Of their enemies. To add to the per-
picking cons,de -ations involved in the
relations between these tribes, the neg
lect OF the United States to enforce the
terms of treaty concluded at Fort
Smelling in iSl3, By which their old
hatred had been partially smothered
had greatly exasperated both sides, and
. seriously impaired the influence Of gov
crnmcnt officers. BY acts of its agents
government had become Il quasi party
torthis treaty, and the failure on its side
TO discharge the obligations it had vol
fuHtarlIy as ;unci, furnished TO the Indi-
sans plausible prctcxt for the renewal of
hostile collisions. Under these unpro-
pitious auspices, the only alternative
presented was convocation Of the two
tribes, with view either to open nego-
tia,ions de moro, or by settlement of past
differences to effect recognition in full
of the treaty 1873
Accordingly the hostile parties were
assembled n conference at Fort Shell
ing, in June last, some seventy ENJOYS
representing the Ch,ppewac. and yet a
larger number the Sioux. The delber-
ations of these ''wiid republicans of the
wilderness" were characterized by a
decorum and proPrieiy worthy Of imita-
ton by more august assemblages. The
discourse Of their orators was distin-
guished by freedom from acerbity, flu
ent eloqueuce, ard sententious perspic-
uity, and their diction, never parsimo-
NOUS of ornament. glowed with imagery
BY the side OF the civil and military Of
icers Of government, who were present
upon the occasion, and the groups c!
spectators, who had been attracted ~. ~,
the novelty of tho scene, the painted
war chiefs, gaiiy decorated with feath-
ers and medals, exhibited all the glare
Of a pictured and dramatic contrast. -
The details of the council have al
ready been submitted to the department,
and further recital is unnecessary. ]
desire, however, in this connexions to
express my grateful appreciation of the
Taisable services and graceful hospital
i;y OF Capt. j. Monroe, at the time in
command Of Fort Smelling, and also of
the efficient assistance rendered by Cap
tain j. b. s. Todd, commanding officer
at Fort Gaines, Mr.. Warren, interpre-
ter, and the other gentlemen, in in
ducing the Chippewas to attend the con-
ference, i"-1
Exaspera.cd as were these hostile
tribes, and apprehensive as were their
traders and half-breed relatives that a
sanguinary war menaced the frontier, it
affords me lively qualification to be able
TO. say that, since the arrangement at
that time made, not solitary instance
has arisen OF a breach Of tho terms OF
the treaty Of 1913 by any of the
bands. either Sioux or Chippewa, par
ties to the council in June, 1850. The
approval by the Indian Bureau Of the
action OF. that council has been commu-
nicated to each tribe, and its final deci-
sion, upon careful examination of the
statements of both parties, that repara-
ton was due the Chippewas. The sum
: ofrnoney RENTED for this purpose has
been expended in the purchase of pro-
visions, clothing. presents, Sc, which,
ia shape Of atoning presents, have been
distributed with cautious care. SO that
the relatives of tie Chippewas who
f,,,,a hao., r,,,e,iosoi