The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-10-23

4
| among The Chipperas and Half Breeds
| Treaty Uith The Chipperas.
| TT. GARRY, SELKiRK SETTLEMENT, Z
September %, 1851. !
| ID. A. Robertson, ESQ.
Dear Sir:-I avail myself of an express which
is just leaving for st. Paul, bearing despatche:
from DR.. Ray, who has been exploring the coas
from Victoria to Woasten Land, from the 1I0tt
| to the i7th deg. Of West Longitude, in hopes o
finding some traces of Sir John Franklin, and the
straits which were supposed to extend through to
the Northwest, in that locality.
He has failed in both, and intends next sum-
ner to turn his attention in another direction; sat
istied that there is no longer any hopes in that
quarter; his package has Just arrived by Mr. Ross
from Norway House on the Northern extremity Of
Lake Winnepeg; il Is to be forwarded imme-
diatey TO the Admiralty Department via ST. Paul
and the States MIR. Adam klyn is the bearer,
and will reach you in i5 days-a glorious oppor-
iunity for communicating few lines to you-as
good as 1t was unexpected; my time however, is
very precious and will not admit Of details. Our
party reached PenIbina on the llth inst, in 20
tray eling days from the Mississippi at Sauk Rap
ids. We had buffalo hunts, bear chases, plenty
Of smaller game. good roads, delightful weather,
and every other pleasure, with some Of the ex-
elements and accidents attending prairie trip &,
with nothing however of a serious nature; scarce
y any sickness, and no annoyance except from
the legions of winged devils ia the shape of mos
quitos, gnats, and huge tormenting flies. which
all existed in swarms of countless millions,
throughout the trip. Tho treaty began on the
18th, with the Red Lake and Pembina bands of
Chippewas, numbering in all about $50. Several
hundred Half breeds were also present, and ex-
pected to participate in the making of the treaty,
and were exceedingly disappointed when infOrIn-
ed that their claims would not be respected, and
that the Government only recognized the Indians
as the rghilul owners of the soil, and intended to
deal with them accordingly; the Half-breeds had
counted on the reception of portion at least Of
the annultles, and almost certain, had hoped for
the consumnlatlon of treaty, in case their claims
were recognized. with that view only, not with
the more manly intention Of coming into the full
possession of the lands at an early period, and
betterng their present miserable condition by their
cultivation, and as independent tl,rs of the soil /.
subml, without the poor miserable pIttance which
it would be at least, in the shape of annuity
dOled out to them from year to year, the very re-
ceipt Of which would degrade and lower them as
men and citizens of our Territory. Their depen
dence upon annuties in prospective. and their
keen expectancy of receiving them in common
with their red relations, with their unwiliingness
to become honest tillers Of the soil, their claim
shows them at least to be very deficient in self
respect, and to possess very low, and think,
erroneous estimate of their own character. | hope
however, better things Of this free, hardy, and
very energetic class; and that they will take ad-
vantage of what will be done for them by Gov
ernment to improve their present wandering con-
dition and mode Of life, and elevate them among
the ranks Of "Nature's Noblemen,' for which
position they are well qualified. The land pro-
posed to be purchased, includes each side of Red
River, 80 miles to the East and West, and as far
South as Goose River; this includes a portion Of
Pembina, NJ. r., and the new town cf ST. Joseph
80 miles west of Pembina. An offer was made
them Of $S 900, down Oh the ratification Of the
treaty, and early aunuities of several thousands
for twenty years. left Pembina in company with
the Rev. John Black, on the 18th, before the con-
summation Of the treaty, and have since heard
nothing definite. As the express passes Pembna,
you will have later news. We were three days
descending the Red river 900 mles) and although
we have been suffering with an equinOciai since
our first arrival at Penibina, yet have been high
iy pleased with everything pertaining to this set
Element, and l assure you have seldom left
place with more reluctant feelings than those
feel at present. am about starting up the river
in bark canoe, with two Half breed voyageurs,
and will reach Pembna on the evening Of the
26th, camping ont three nights by the way. The
weather is now delightful, it having cleared off
this morning, and is fine and warm as an In
dian summer. The cathedral bells across the river
are ringing merry chime, and | almost fancy
myself away down East in large Atlantic City,
not in the Selkirk Settlement, amidst the very
centre Of the continent, and whole month
march, Of 20. miles per day to the west Of sun
down, 1 e, St. Paul.
find it very hard to be brief amid scenes like
these, but my time and the circumstances in which
find myself situated, compel me in what have
yet TO say--not because it is the soul of wit to be
so, but you are aware necessity knows no law.
have been treated in the most hospitabIe man
ner by the people throughout the settlement, and
by none so than the people of the fort, whom
I shall remember. To Mr.. John Black, who has
command of the company's post at this place
DR.. Cowan, Mr.. Bailey and Mr.. Logan, Jr., and
also to Mr.. McDermott and Mr.. Alex Ross and
son, | am under many obligations. have this
moment been introduced to Bishop Anderson, of
the Episcopal Church, very affabIe and worthy
gentleman. He has resided here two years, and
in common with the other members of the sever
al churches, Of which there are three, is very
highly esteemed. The churches would do credit
to any western settlement in the States The con-
gregations of each large, and the character of
the peOpic fOl InuuStfy anu inOfality IS most ex-
celIent. l have fonnd more Of the noble traits
which digaify and exalt our race, existing among
the people here, than any one unacquainted with
them would imagine; not to be too eulogistic,
however, will close; if am deceived in them,
it i, an error Of the head not Of the heart; more
Of this anon.
Weexpect to leave Pembina on the LIST Of Oc-
tober, and to reach ST. Paul on the 25th, perhaps
not until the LIST of November.
Our route will be out to the westward of the
one we came, to Devils Lake, among the buffalo
cows, and probably the bears. We anticipate a
pleasant time returning, as Indian summer soon
sets in, and the mosquitoes will all be killed by
early frosts, or else too much benumed TO present
their bills with vigor; we expect to settle all that
are presented without drawing upon Uncle Sans
Treasury for an additional amount Of funds.
His ExcelIency, Gov Ramsey, comes down by
canoe, to day or tomorrow, accompanied by Mr..
Hugh Tyler, DIR. Foster and Lieut.. Corley The
people here will give them a warm reception, one
Of the old fashioned sort, such as you might have
expected from men before human nature became
corrupt. They are most heartily welcome, and
their arrival looked forward to with interest and