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

md intercoursc laws, disabilities are
imposed AID sccuriiiess are provided
iyiacing the Judgment Of Congress that |
,yer snch matters they possessed juris- |
iictioa, ard that it was expedient TO ex-,
snciseit; and in order to suppress the
,arbarous atrocities Of savage warfare,
should the imposition of even rigorous
terms appear to conflict with the suppo-
sitious independence of the Indian, but
another of the anomalies is presented,
Of which the general subject of the re-
lative rights and duties of a civilized
and barbarous people is so fruitful.
As political community, the Daco-
tabs live almost without law. Slight,
indeed among all the tribes OF the north
west is the influence of their chiefs; the
braves, who constitute sort of aristo-
cratic estate, keep them in awe, and.
through the depression of fear, the chiefs
hesitate in council to express an indie
pendent opinion. For this reason, upon
the occasion Of .ransacting important
business, they always insist upon the
presence of large number of their peo--
ple.a Should they sign treaty, or do
any other act binding upon their tribe,
contrary to popular appreciation, it is
very probable that their lives would be
the forfeit. AT least, apprehension of
such issue holds them in check.
As property is held in common, its
rights are but slightly respected; and,
upon the slightest provocation, al lndi-
an will shoot the horse or other domes-
tic animal ofsan enemy, and among
them exists neither law nor usage to-
compel restitution. They have no
courts, no officers, no statutes, no debts
to collect, no damages to pay. The few
vegetable productions raised by the in
dustry Of their women are appropriated
by the less thrifty, whenever want or
caprice dictates. As consequence of
this communism, motive to industry, in
element TO accumulation, desire for pri-
vate property is weak; and in this utter
nakedness Of rights and remedies lies
the grand defect in the institutions, and
the principal impeachment to the civiiiza-
ton of the red man. r9i
Congress should extend over the abo-
riginal population a code Of laws, mild
and simple in characteristic be enforced
by the respective agents Of the different
tribes. The experiment has already
been made Of extending over them, to a
certain extent, the action Of criminal
laws: but to elevate their social and po-
htical condition, government, in the ex-
ercise Of paternal authority, should
fashion civil code, accommodated to
their actual situation, elementary in its
nature, securing plain rights, and pro-
viding positive remedies. 9'- 5'H
The Winnebagoes, during the past
year, have shown a restless and mis-
chievous disposition, which has added
much to the embarrassments attending
upon the business of this office. Cues
tions of expediency and authority, as
well as of finance and morals, have been
implic ated in their relations.
A segment of their tribe, after their
nominal removal in 1913, remained 10
Wisconsin and Iowa, constituting a nu-
clens of attraction TO those who were
actually colonized upon the lands APP
propriated for them within this superin-
tendency. Many Of the latter, in. spite
of the vigilance of the officers of the de-
partment, and Of the military stationed
at the different posts in the territory, re-
turned to ;he vicinity Of their old hunt
ing grounds; from whence, from repre-
sensations made by the executive and
people of Wisconsin, government, in
the spring Of 1850, felt constrained TO
enter into contract for their removal
Impressed at the time with the convic-
ton that the representations Of the peo-
pie OF Wisconsin, as to the inconve-
nience resulting from the prerence of
these Indians, were highly exaggerated,
nothing that has since transpired mas
tended to destroy or affect this convic-
ton. The Winnebagoes, unless in
famed by liquor, are rarely rude to
the whites, and unless goaded by want,
seldom trespass upon the property OF
others. Be this, however as it may, it
is notorious among those who come
most often in contact with them, that this
people have remained in Wisconsin
mainly through solicitations Of citizens
OF that state, and that others, whom such
solicitations would not be apt to infu-
ence, have returned because barriers
equally strong do not there oppose the
qualification of their inordinate attach
ment to ardent spirits. Let Wisconsin
legislation inhibt vending or giving In
dams ardent spirits within state limits,
and let rigorous police enforce such le-
gislation, and but trivial apprehensions
need DC entertained of annoyance from
the Winnebagoes. A1agaa'G 9aef2-
Tho recent arrival at Fort Smelling
of company Outrageous, so long wan
ted, will greatly assist in intercepting
the migration southwark Of this discon-
tented people. Though it must be adj
mitted that, in sparscly settled coun-
try, with paths and by-ways known on
ly to the Indian, leading through treach-
erous morass and tangled wilderness,
which no soldiery can penetrate, diff
culties will be found, inherent and al
most insurmountable, to combining them
to their country, if disposed to wan
der. "a ~: sncto 3d aar