Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-09-11
FINAL INTERVIEW OF THE SAC AND FOX
INDIANS WITH THE COMMISSIONERS.

The third and final interview OF the Sac and Fox In
dams with the 0omssoNEH Of dsn Affairs took place
on Saturday last. III Ak
In reply 70 tho remarks Of the indians made at pre-
yious meetings ne Commssioner said that he had taken
time to consder well what he had heard from them. 1t
would not be in his power to do all they requested though
he always DESTROYS crafty his red brethren when
il right and practicable for him to do Their visit
originated in their request and under those crcum
the Commissioner granted permission for them to
prosecute it. What he could do for them he would; and
if any thing they desired should not be granted they may
be sure it either beyond his power not in it.
self right. He hoped they would confde in him, and
abide by his advice which should be the best he could
1 give
The Sacs and Foxes to be under msappre-
hension to their treaty rights At the making Of the
treaty of 1872, they entitled to receive $8l 900
year. from all the treaties then subsisng with the United
States Under the treaty of 1886 they to receive
certain $40 900 for period of ten years that for
some five years past their annuity has been only 000
In like manner to the last treaty they seemed also to
| be laborng under mistake This was not wonderful,
however, for vary in their opinions all the world over
the Commissioner found even the Sacs and Foxes pre-
| sent to be far from unanimous in their views
When treaties made and were written and signed,
they stood, and will be the to-day, tomorrow, and
the Commissioner had no hand in making himself, and
yet was his guide and be the guide also of the
Indians 1t appears that in all up to this time
dollar due the Sac and Fox Indians had been rg
uy pad them disposed Of they themselves direct
ed. The thousand dollars kept back account Of
alleged depredations the Pawnees by the Sacs and
Foxes the Commissioner had concluded he would not
longer withhold but would give order to COL Mitchell
at St. Louis pay it to them With respect to the
claim against the Sioux for killing certain Sacs and Foxes,
there two sides the matter The Sioux had made
heavy complaints against the Sacs and Foxes for unpro
voked murders of many of their people including
and children and under these circumstances the Com
missioner should hold the whole subject under considera
ton and determine whether he would pay the Sacs
and Foxes any thing nothing until he had further in
formation He warned them that if similar complaints
made in future they must expect to be held up
full responsibility if it took every cent of their annuity
only the Sioux but the Otawas ALSO made complaints
of the bad neghborhood Of the Sacs and Foxes and
charged them with stealing and other depredations
With respect to the two backsmths shops you appear
think that the Government should pay the expense of
both Now, find by reference to the treaty that the Co.
vernment pays but for and pay the other Thus
says the treaty and what it says must be law both to the
Indian and the Government
| The Commissioner recommended the Sacs and Foxes
to pay increased attention to the cultivation of the SOIL
and initiate in general the habits and usages of the whites
This would be much better for themselves and women
and children He advised the Indians to adopt the sim
gle field system of cultivation, that every might
60 into his own field and work it support his wife and
family Before long the chase must fai it will therefore
be wise in the Indian to take timely precaution.
Respecting their request be paid their expenses COM
ing to and returning from Washington the Commissioner
said it was not in his power to grant it. Their coming
here had been expressly permitted the ground of their
paying their own expenses for which they have suf
cheney of money.
As to the differences mentioned about who should be
Chief the Commissioner should not this occasion in
terfere They came chiefs; they should leave.
One Of the orators had remarked that the whites often
changed their chiefs. This was true, but they did not
| attach much Importance to blood. If good
t mum, tint 10 why he is approved ana not De-
cause he of this that family He recommended
Keokuk to initiate his father, and did not why he
should be removed He would say to him. to all other
chiefs that so long they continue worthy men, show
themselves friendly to the whites and the Government
and conduct themselves Alright, their authority will be
honored and upheld.
The Commissioner addressing himself to Powaishick,
said he believed him to be wel-disposed man, and
who would do what was right when he knew it. He has
complained that the Government had not complied with
its promises but the truth is that the Government has
right to complain of him in the way. He had pro-
missed in the treaty to live in the country ceded TO his
tribe but instead Of that he kept in the country Of the
Kickapoos But he must understand distinctly that he
must return to his own country which he will no doubt
do without compelling the Government to send soldiers
| to force him.
As to allowing the hafbreeds to remain In the nation,
he should refer all that to the agents. who had
to retain the good and expel the bad The introduction
of whiskey into the nation utterly disalowed and
the agent would do all he could to keep il out
The payment of the debts to the traders would be left
to the agent who is best able to judge Of the business Of
the debts Every just debt should be paid but others
The Commissioner recommended attention to education,
saying how much better would be for them to be able
to read and write and understand treaties Labor oo
was honorable to all men, and the Indians greatly
mistaken in supposing it otherwise.
The above is but summary Of the well conceived re-
marks of the Commissioner which the appreciation Of
every listener white and red. Several Of the red
expressed their satisfaction with the Commissioners adj
vice to them and promised do their best to obey it,
After distributing large medal to each OF the SIX
Chiefs and smaller to each Of the eight braves the
Commissioner finally dismissed them with wishes for their
happiness and safe return.
Presents Of clothing, &C. afterwards made them
by the Agent, under orders Of the Commissioner.
|
wooDs ON FIRE-The long-contnusd dry weather in
the Lake Superior region has made the timber and turf
on the South Shore dry q powder house," and last