The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-01-09

eminent.
The temper and condition of the large
Indian tribes within our borders, will
CT present questions fruitful of interest
to lie people of Minnesota. Although
!. may safely be assumed, that IN the
present circumstances of these tribes,
80 general war with the whites is to be
apprehcnded, yet the petty depredations
upon property, continually perPctrated
by our red ncighbors, are almost as
annoying as state OF open hostility.
In this respect, believe all the tribes are
like guilty. Solar as learn, they do not
wantonly destroy property; but the con-
fused ideas Of right which obtain among
thcm-the faint distinctions which they
draw in regard to the ownership of prop
cltr, and the influences of that educa-
ton, which accustoms them to hold cve-
u thing in common, lead them, when
pressed bv hunger, to commit every
SOFT of vexatious larceny upon the prop
ely of our citizens.
peaceful relations have been preserved
" b them during the past year with the
I;eption OF a few outbreaks in Benton
UNITY, directly traceable 10 ardent
-Drits, with which, Notwithstanding the
wholesome legislation Of the last ses-
Ion, these people are occasionally sup
Led. To this ruinous agency, and to
she facility and frequency with which
.hey cross to the east side of the Mis-
sssippi, is attributable much of our m
dan troubles and disturbances. { Our
~ 4 interest 80 entirely accords with
mat policy Of the general government,
which seeks to retain the Indians within
lae limits Of their own territory where
q ldicious code of laws is operative, of
u,mary character, especially suited to
eir condition and to the circumstances
md temptations which surround them,
ant it is deeply to be regretted that
many Of our citizens, by the allurements
oi' ,radc or otherwise, hold forth induce
mcnts to these Indians to frequent ceded
ends, on the east side ofthe river, where
me restraints of these laws do not exist,
aor their penalties attach.
(itizens Of good character, DESTROYS
oil forming commercial connections with
The Indians, can readily obtain license
20 irade in Indian territory; and there
Is ne proper and legitimate locality, for
iAe honorable prosecution of this adj
venlurous branch of business, so inn
poFtant and SO interesting to frontier
community.
our Territory was seriously threat
cned last spring with general and open
senewal of the hereditary teuds which
nave subsisted between the Sioux and
tee Chippewas, retarding the settlement
o. the country, shocking the moral
sense of the community, and constituting
even our villages, stages for the revolt
iag orgies incident TO the disgusting and
a,rocious tragedies of their savage war;
fare. Through the interference, how
ever, of the government, these tribes
v ere induced in June last, to make an
adjustment of their differences at Fort
Snellins; and | am most happy to state,
thal by all the bands whe were repre-
sented on the occasion, the treaty of
uHisy then made, has up to this time
been kept inviolate.
rs the payments ofthe Indian annu-
ties supply much the larger portion of
our currency, and through tho various
channels of trade contribute greatly to
cur prosperity, we are directly affected
by every interruption which may occur
Us their disbursement For this reason
alone, If no higher motives existed, the
legislative Assembly Of Minnesota
should efficiently cooperate with the
officers of the federal government in the
.nalntenance of proper relations with the
Indian tribes.
have thus, gentlemen, advertcd to
such matters Of local interest as more
immediately concern us as agents of
the people of this Territory. The oc-
casion might perhaps invite wider
range of discussion and remark. To
one not utterly Indifferent 10 the interests
of the civilized world, there is much in
the posture of political affairs, in the
thick succession Of important events
which crowd and distinguish the age IN
which we live, to excite intense and
lively emotion. We have seen a man.
who had been attended through life by
a singularly fortunate and great genius,
-taAeAeb uUWH III the CIltcI llldgiStrdCy
Of Tie nation, and yet the most ordinary
functions of government proceed with
ont interruption or arrangement. Our
coantry has passed through period of
unwonted excitement, and been con-
vulsed by bitter and angry controversies,
which have threatened the creation of
gecg raPhical parties. and endangered
tie integrity of the Union but the pre-
dic!ions of civil prophets have failed of
iulhiIment, and we have seen the wis
dom and patriotism of Congress remove
appalling elements Of dissension, and al
lay'many disturbing causes of agitation.
In europe, though the contest between
iegitimacy and elective government has
bean temporarily smothered, yet as wit
ness 10 the progress Of liberal and en-
lightened sentiments we daily see the
PEeogatives Of crowns yielding to the
demands of the people. But upon these,
- veil as upon other subjects, not COM
ing under our official cognizance, it is
needless to obtrude my own views on
your notice, and it would be improper