The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-08-05

GU, uenounceus as nave sometimes heard them, by
gentlemen who knew nothing about those they so
bitterly inveighed against. am aware that there
are individuals in the West who improperly de.
nominated Indian traders who deserve al the denun-
citation that can be poured ul,on them here or any
where else. mean those men who are engaged in
selling liquor the Indians, and taking from them
in exchange therefor, blankets, guns, or anything
else they may chance to possess ! hold these indi.
viduas in just as much detestation the gentleman
from Missouri possibly do Thank God. we
have very few of them in Territory, and when
they there they suffered remain long,
before they made to feel the weight Of the public
indignatios.
But, when that gentleman, or any other undertakes
to pour fourth tenunciatons npon the regularly Ii
censed traders, destitute Of integrity and honor,
shall take issue with him at once.
We have in our Territory many citizens who have
been engaged for years in the Indian trade, and who
arc as high minded, honorable, aud as little Oh
noxious the charge of deiauding the Indians, as
any gentleman in this House. I viii do them the
justice to say, that they in conjunction with the mis-
slonaries of the cross, have gone further to benefit
the Indians, to feed them when they hnngry, to
cothe them when they naked, to prevent the in
PRODUCTION OF liquor amongst them, and 10 alleviate
their suferngs generally, than any other class in the
community
Mr.. SWEETSER. i ask the gentleman if it is
not within his knowledge that, during the times OF
scarcity and starvation with these Indians, the ira
order relieve the Iuoians in their exigencies
Mr.. SHELLEY. win state to the gentleman that
such is very frequently the The men who
ceive licenses traders frs, show that they
of good character otherwise by the terms Of the law,
they should be permitted go into the Indian
country at all. They are withal compelled to give
bonds to the Government in large amount observe
all existing regulations, and TO refrain from any viola
ton OF the laws regulating trade and intercous with
the Indian tribes. Such men are the real friends Of
the poor Indian, and viii share the last crust the
last blanket with the starving shivering savage. Fer
the part, far from deaudng the Indians, they
are deirauded by them for | the gentleman
that he very much undertakes the character Of these
Western Indians for shrewdness and intelligence, if
he thinks they be very easily imposed upon.---
They know the value of the articles Of merchandise
used by them about well as the whites themselves,
and quite apt lock after their own interests.
But wish to present anoster fact ia relation 10
this much abused class cf men. ! have been an In
dian trader myself On fifteen more years, and
to be aced in the category mention
ed by the gentleman LOIn Missouri.
Mr.. PHELPS. | cxonclatcd ycu.
Mr.. SlBLEY. I know the gentleman did no, in.
tend to apply his remarks . me personally; but
choose TO defend the cass 70 which my.clf have So
,ong appertained against an such In, uaiiors.
Mr. PHELPS. have already said that did
not intend 10 embrace in M rema Il the principal
traders the proprietors OF the trading Establishments
only intend to emh. ace helr e!npi yecs, the men
whom they enroy t. t.ade with tn s; Indians
NJ. SIBLEY. l an uaf.cty willing I adm,
that there t.adeis and hall-becjs among Ike In
dians. as there are persons IN all communities, who
better than they sh ud be. II would be
strange indeed if there were not exceptions the
general rule
Mr.. PHELPS. That is the class to WHOM al
udc.
Mr.. SIBLEY. They form portion Of those vho
spend their lives among the indians; tut they are
H. Ill
appreciated among the Indians, and held in jast
estimation by them they by the whites.
wish act OF justice to this class Of the
nifty, to fact which who knows
anvthng about il win controvert. Of all the Indian
traders Of my acquaintance, and they are many in
number / know Of none who have enriched them
selves but that by far the largest number
have become utterly Impoverished in the prosecution
of this branch Of commerce, Do these facts 60 to
show that the Indians defraued by these people?
or rather do they not afford table evidence
that such Wholesale charges are utterly without
foundation! have no knowledyco of the Kind of men
they may have upon the frontiers Of Missouri to whom
the gentleman pai ticulary alludes. ! am speaking
uf men some of whom hold high social positions in
our Territory, and whose representations be re-
garded entirely reliable. 1t Is from them that
have derived in part the nfol olnlaon u the miserable
condition of the Indians; and il upon the state
ments Of such individuals, together with my gen
era knowledge Of the necessity ol the case, that
have based my action on the introduction Of the
amen 3ment referred TO.
Now sir desire to advert to another fact connect
ed with Indian treaties which have been made, and
are constantly being made with the Indians. There
is great msta e IN the public miud about the amount
of compensation which the Indians receive under
these treaties. Ii is generally supposed thar they
paid price fox then lands somewha approxina-
ting to that which the Government holds public
domain Why sir so FAR fom that, the average
Id H. IL.
ton Of the Government, have been about eight cents
an acre and vet constantly hear conn aints made
of the large aprroC iations that required fulfill
these treaty siyulations Gentlemen to forget
that have taken away the homes OF these POOR
wr,tchcs, driven them west Of the Mississippi,
amongst wild and hostile bands Of I1dians, who fall
npon them with sea ping knife and with iomahawk,
and that their principal dependence ior Subsistence
is on small annuties which they receive from Gov
crnmen.
! Mr.. MURPHY. desire to ask the gentleman a
question. Tie appears to be well acquainted with the
Indian character, and ! understand his proposition
To be to make provision for those that suffering
among them. desire to ask the gentlen If the
tendency Of this provision will not be 10 Increase the
suffering
| Mr.. SIBLEY. viii answer the gentleman from
Georgia veIy cheeriuy. II had any idea that such
would be the effect of this provision, should cor-
tainlv not offer the amendment. | viii state to the
gentleman tina, as To the Of fact, there be
/ no difference OF opinion among men who at all
ACQUAINTED with the situation Of matters IN the West
that this state Of things does exist Not a year
rasscs bv that scores and Of these Indians do
not perish from uai starvation, and ash The gen.
tie man whether he thinks that in view Cf that state
OF things this Government should fold It's arms and
refuse 10 make SHALL appropriation to meet such ex
igencics As these!
MIR. SWEETSER. With the permission Of the
| A.. - -
gentleman, l will state tina, have relative
living in his ncighborhood, from whom receaved a
letter few days since, concerning the Indians IN that
locality. He writes me, that in consequence of the
treaty made last fall, tho Indians have net made so
much provision for their subsistence they have
done hitherto and chat consequently large numbers o
them are not only suffering from hunger, Eut actu
ally diving btls vo that the Indians need the aid o
The Government, and shall vote ff the amendment
Of the gentleman from Minnesota.
Mr.. SIBLEY. have doubt the gentleman I
information is correct. viii state 10 the COMMITTEE
that was present the time the Upper Sioux treaty
was made which las just received the sanction Il the
Senate, ! know that when the Indians arrived a
the grounds, great many Of them were scarcely
able to walk fom pure exhaustor. Mary wome.
and childe en- we.e reduced simost TO skcletons -
-, 81. made mr.