The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-08-21
From the Lake Superior Jou, Ial.
The Indian Missions at L'Anse.

Twelve miles of hard Juggling at the
oar. through a heavy thunder storm and
drenching rain, brought lis TO the Method
lst Mission, where we received cordial
welcome and shelter under the ever hos
pitablc roof of the Missionary, Rev. n.
Barnum. This mission is beautifully
>ltuated three miles from the head of the
bay on the east side. Directly opposite,
three miles distant, is the Catholic Mis-
sion, both looking like small villages from
the water. The ground rises up gradual
ly from the bay. presenting the most al
tractive sites for country residences, and
the Indian houses on either side show to
good advantage. Each mission has its
church and number of comfortable build
ings.
Each of these establishments has a
semi-circular clearing and fine fields of
grass, oats, potatoes and turnips. MANY
OF the Indians cultivate small pieces Of
land for their own use, and thay general
lypay more attention 10 agriculture here
than any where else on the Lake. Their
houses are generally neat and convenintly
furnished, and they have comforts. and
even luxuries, that thousands in our cities
might well envy.
Under the enlightening influence of
the Gospel, preached and taught to Them
IN their own native language, as well as
from the advantages of schools, these In
dian communities have advanced, in few
years, from wild state of barbarianism
to that Of civilized life. Situated in This
quiet, remote region, they have, as gen.
eral thing, been beyond the vices and
temptations of their more favored breth-
rem, the whites. They occupy lands not
required by our white settlers, and we
know OF no situation more favorable for
Their advancement in the arts of civiliza-
ton. And still from this quiet, secluded
retreat the Red man must be driven by
the heartless Government. The policy Of
our Government toward the Indians has
generally been generous and humane, but
when carried out in practice, it has been
warped TO the vilcst purposes that de-
generate humanity is capable of invent
ing: When the Chippewas of Lake SUI
perlor sold their lands to the Government.
1t was stipulated that their annuities
should be paid to them at La Pointe, a
place more convenient for a great MAORI.
ty of their bands; and that they should
be allowed to remain in the places thew
then occupied, until the lands should be.
actually required by the whites for set
Elements. Such was the understanding
OF the Indians and of the few whites
present at the making of the treaty.
They were also TO be furnished with
farmers and mechanics and certain i'm
plements of husbandry, that they might
be taught those arts that were absolutely
necessary to enable them to support them
selves in the new order of things that
was fast surrounding them. The policy
Of the Government was humane.
The condition Of these bands Of Chin
pewas, scattered about in the nook, and
corners of Lake Superior, has been rap
dly improving under the fostering care
If Government--more fortunate than
many OF their more Southern brothers..
heir lands have not been needed. and
hey have been left in the quiet possess
on OF their ancient homse. AT the