The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-20
An Indian Council ON the Plains.


gives the following account dated at Fort Lara
nie, October 20:
Yesterday and to-day have been busy and
citing days at Laramie, especially TO the Indian
population concentrated in this vicinity. Yester
day was the day appointed by Major Fitzpatrick
for council talk with the principal chiefs Of the
nation, preparatory to the distribution Of presents,
which was fixed for to. day. Just as the council
was about being opened, the whites at the post,
officers, agents, and ALL were somewhat startled
from their propriety by the appearance upon the
parade ground Of a party Of Indian soldiers, armed
with string bows, loaded guns, and other imple-
ments VI savage warfare, discharging their guns
aud making other not very peaceful, but rather
threatening, demonstrations. They even went
far as to fire gun over the head OF a young man
in Major Fitzpatrck's service, aiming it almost
INN sdiately at his head. Upon inquiry, it was
learned that the party had come up in this threat
ening manner to demand redress for some slight
injury which had been done to one Of their number
by soldier the day previous Soon, the COM
manding officer, Lieutenant Garnet, and Major
Fitzpatrick, appeared before them, and alter,
Us j think, very properly telling them that they
did not understand such movements; that II a SOL
der had injured an Indian, 1t was their duty to
complain to the commanding officer in peaceful
way, and he would punish the soldier; that if the
Indians desired peace, the whites would give them
peace; but if they wanted war, the whites were
ready to meet them in war, then hereafter
commanded them to disperse. This they soon did.
and in short time not Indian brave Of the party
to be seen in the vicinity of the fort. Daring
this time the long roll had been beat, the company
called to arms, and two pieces of artillery placed
on the parade ground Lieutenant Garnet, Major
Fitzpatrick, and the other officers present, display
ed great GOODNESS and self. command during this
rather exciting interview. The difficulty was
finally adjusted by tho soldier paying tie Indian
who had been etruck a compensation for the indig
nifty, in the shape OF few pounds Of sugar Shortly
nfer this the council commenced. The delibera
lions characterized by great apparent
fiiendliness and good will on the part of the In.
dams Numerous speeches were made by different
n
ment through the agent. Maj F. Some of these
were sufficiently luoicrous to sxcitc more than
passing smile One chief demanded, that in re.
turn for the right Of way through the country
granted under the late treaty, the Govelnment
should dress and arm The Indian soldiers IMe their
troops in order that they might enforce obc
dencc To it's provisions. Another required that
the Government should distribute annually among
them one hundred horses and one hundred thou.
sand dollars worth of goods. Various other de-
mands and matters having reference to the same
general subject came under disc ussion While
the chiefs were apparently quiet, peaceably, and
friendly disposed towards the whites, it was evi.
dent that they were not altogether satisfied with
the obligations they had entered into under the
treaty of last fall. They professed that they did
not understand or comprehend the nature OF it's
provisions and obligations, and one of them said
that the chief did not clearly know what he wac
doing when he signed the treaty. The chief
himself Matte Ioway, or Fighting Bear said
that when the white man gave him the parchment
upon which the treaty was written, he supposed
that he gave him something to live by; but that
he now discovered that he had given him something
die by; but that he would, nevertheless observe
it, even at the price of death. Upon the matters
which called forth these remarks being more tho
roughly planned to him. he seemed to be much
better contented. 1t is the opinion of many per-
sons in this country-persons best informed upon
the subject, and thoroughly acquainted with the
Indian characer-that the Laramie treaty last fall,
far from being attended with beneficial results,
has operated to the injury of migration and the
country. They base their opinion upon the greater
do, tka kn,r; 1~nfth oV
dams, their increased and increasing demands,
and the open dissatisfaction they express at the
passage OF such large numbers Of whites through
their lands. They say that the Indiana have been
led by that treaty to suppose that they possessed
rights which they never suspected themselves OF
having before, and which do not, in fact, exist
Some persons anticipate Indian troubles in this
neighborhood before the winter is over.
''How shall describe the strkngly picturesque
scene; the grotesque and ludicrous Incidents, the
eccentric characters of which Ihave been witness
to day? The whole affair is, in its main features
and in lite Details alike quite altogether indf scrib
able. Have you ever been to the Five Points in
New York? Ifso, imagine what a would be
produced were the contents of several wagons,
filled with oil kinds Of luxurious vands and costly
wares, suddenly deposited in central locality
OF that region, and Immediately a loud announce
rnent made that all who were hungry and needy
were invited to step forward and help themselves.
What assembage OF ra gs and tatters, Of villain
Gus iaoes, OF deformsd and distorted figures would
the magic announcement instantly conjure up.
Something similar in character was the picture
upon which have gazed to-day, upon the distri.
button of few thousand dollars worth OF blankets
guns, beads, and other articles Of tawdry finery
among several thousand eager savages.
at seemed as though the whole Sioux nation, OF
every age and every SEX and every species Of dogs
cats, and all, bad been gathered together from lar
and wide, to take part in this important ceremony.
The goods were placed in the centre Of the parade
ground, where they were divided out into three
several parcels, in the presence of chief OF each
of the three separate bands present. Removed ut
short distance, and forming large circle, were
seated other chiefs and warriors Of the respective
bands. Behind these, and forming as it were
rious eclipses with the main CIRCLE were seated
and standing promiscuous multitude OF old hags,
of squawe with saddles upon their shoulders,
squaws with Pappooses upon their backs, squaws
with pappooses in their and dogs at their cl-
bows, of young women without paPpooses, and OF
children OF any and every age, male and female,
attred in every conceivable variety OF costume and
ornament which savage taste or ingenuity could
devise
..IntersperJed hero and there throughout the
crowd, in every direction, might be seen project
ing over the heads and shoulders OF the seated
multitude the long noses, pointed ears, and shag-
gy forms Of numberless villainous. Looking wolf
dogs, who had come along with the rect Of the
household to enjoy the spectacle II not to share the
bountics of the occasion. When the main division
of the goods completed, the then several par
cells were respectively borne to a spot in front OF
each of the three separate bands, and then sub
division of them was again made among the war
riors lodges by soldiers Of their own, selected Tor
the purpose. Under this arrangement each ind
vdual present came in for his or her portion Of TIE
annuity, greater or less, according to his or her
rank and dignity in the nation. During this en-
tire time the circle of warriors remained in statc
OF placid dignity and repose, seemingly attentive
20 the orders OF old brave who occupied himself
18th walking around the circle, exhortipg all par
.Ncs to conduct themselves upon the occasion with
coming dignity and self command. The different
,lrcles oil squa and children were, the contrary,
lnroughout the whole period, constant cauldron
of excitement, commotion, und discordant noises.
The different and incidents consta ntly
taking place among the motley groups were as
diversified amusing At one moment an old
woman, haggard and distorted with age and hard
ship, would suddenly dart out from her COM
panions and standing all alone, break forth into a
chant, OF which the notes we're so fuctuating, 80
capricious. and Whimsical, that it would have
required all the skill of a most undoubted master
in music TO have determined whether it was in
tended as a funeral dirge an air of EMULATION
and Joy. This eccentric melody she would con
tnuc chant forth until the exhausted state OF her
vocal powers would compel her to desist and re
sume her place among her comrades. This cere.
rnony seemed To be contagious for sooner would
the actress become seated than similar appa rition