The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-07-31

complaints made Of the large appropria-
tons that are required to fulfill these
treaty stipulations. Gentlemen seem to
forget that we have taken away the homes
OF these poor wretches, driven them west
Of the Mississippi, amongst wild and
hostile bands OF Indians, who fall upon
them with scalping-knife and with toma-
hawk, and that their principal dependence
for subsistence is on the small annuities
which they receive from this Govern
ment. 4....
Mr. MURpHY. I desire to ask the
gentleman question. He appears to be
well acquainted with the Indian charac.
ter, and l understand his proposition to
be to make provision for those that are
suffering among them. desire to ask
the gentleman if the tendency Of this
provision will moi be to increase the suf-
lering?
Mn. S1pLEr. Twill answer the gen.
tleman from Georgia very cheerfully. II
| had any idea that such would be the ef-
feet of this provision, should certainly
not offer the amendment. ] will state to
the gentleman that as to the matter Of
fact, there can be no difference Of opinion
among men who are at all acquainted
with the situation of matters in the West,
that this state of things does exist. Not
year passes by, that scores and scores
of these Indians do not perish from actual
starvation, and ask the gentleman
whether he thinks that in view of that
state of things, this Government should
fold its arms and refuse to make small
appropriation to meet such exigcncies ~
these?
Mn. SwEErzER. With the permission
of the gentleman, will state that have
a near relative living in his neighborhood,
from whom received letter q few days
since, concerning the Indians in that To-
cali'y. He writes me, that in conse-
quence Of the treaty made last fall, the
Indians have not made so much provision
for their subsistence as they have done
hitherto, and that consequently, large
numbers of them are not only suffering
from hunger, but are actually dying. !
believe that the Indians need the aid of
the Government, and shall vote for tho
amendment of the gentleman from Min
nesota.
Mr.. S1BLEY. l have no doubt tho
gentleman's information is correct.
will state to the committee that / was
present at the time the Upper Sioux
treaty was made, which has jus, received
the sanction of the Senate. know that
when the Indians arrived at the grounds,
Il great many of them were scarcely able
to walk from pure exhaustion. Many
women and children were reduced almost
to skeletons. There were present, when
the treaty was made, from two thousand
to three thousand Indians, and the COM
missioners were obliged, as a matter Of
absolute necessity, to send out teams TO
meet them laden with supplies TO save
them from death by actual starvation on
their way to the treaty ground. NEIL
ton this as single instance of the des-
perate straits to which the wild tribes Of
the prairie are reduced. If the facts
could be obtained in an authentic form
from all parts of our extended country,
it would be found that other tribes are
suffering in like manner.
Sir, this Government has assumed TO
itself the guardianship of these poor In
dians, and should take immediate meas
ures to melioratc their condition. With
an overlooking Treasury-wilh your
tceming granarics. and all the elements Of
prosperity Astounding in your midst, for
very shame let not the American Congress
refuse to contribute something TO alleviate
the awful sufferings which, unrelieyed,
bid fair soon TO destroy utterly the rem
nants of that noble race whose homes YOU
are daily invading and approprialing 10
your own benefit. The sum proposed in
The amendment is, as have before stated,
100000. If by the expenditure of a
part, or the whole Of this amount. the
lives Of hundreds can be saved, who will
regret the outlay? If no such exigency
ar ses as 10 require the money to be de-
voted to that sacred purpose, it will re-
main in the Treasury, and Congress will
at least have the satisfaction of knowing
that its duty has been performed.
now send up the amendment, and ask
that it may be read:
For the subsistence of the Indians
of any tribe residing within the limits Of
the United States who may hereafter
he suffering for want of food and proper
clothing, 10 be expended under the direc-
ton of the Secretary OF the Interior,
100000: Provided, That in no case
shall any portion of said sum be paid OIL,
unless reliable statement shall be made
to the Secretary Of the Interior Of the
existence Of such a state of suffering
amongst the Indians as is contemplated in
this clause
This amendment not being concurred
IN by majority of the committee, on The
lHh' the bill being again up, Mr.. Sibley
again offered his amendment, modified a.
follows, the proviso remaining unaltered:
For the subsistence of Indians of any
tribe residing within the limits of tho