The weekly Minnesotian., 1852-12-25

Since '49 he has occupied the selfimposed po-
sition of an extra or outside Delegate for Min
nesota at Washington, working earnestly with
Mr.. Sibley for every measure likely to benefit
the Tcrritory--and his influence is no small
matter, by all accounts. For Hugh possesses
the suariter in ,rords in perfection, and being
besides ever ready to Oblige and accommodate
his friends and acquantances, has acquired
popularity and an influence second to none
about the capitol. The way he came to oppose
Mr. Sweetser was simply as a matter of busi-
ness. When at Traverse dcs Sioux during the
Treaty negotiations, Tyler was retained with
contingent fee, as attorney for the Sioux claim
ants. to watch over their interests at Washing
ton, and urge the ratification of the Treaties
before the Senate. Mr.. Tyler in guarding the
interests of his clients, found it requisite to
counteract, in his quiet way, Mr.. Sweetser's
manGuvcrs, until that interesting gentleman
must have thought it very queer, that all his
gaseous and eloquent and philanthropic, not to
say dlsintercstcd speeches, to all men and every
body. had so little effect.
IL. L. DorsMAN EyrINGUIsIiEs NJ swEETsER.
Among other means of countcractins Mr.. SIS
talk MIR. Tyler availed himself of the presence
Of gentleman in Washington, whose character
and position as one of the most experienced
and eminent citizens of the Northwest, was
calculated to give whatever he said an over
wheming weight and influence This was Col.
H.L. Dousman, of Prairie du Chen, who bavino
occn at Traverse des Sioux during the treaty.
could bear testimony to the falschood of some
OF Sweetsers allegations. We give Mr. Dous-
mans letter to the Senate in full. without fi,r
ther comment. 1t speaks for itself:
WASHINGroN CITY. April ;, 1852
SIR Having learned that an attempt is being made by
certain interested parties to prejudice the minds of vour
honorable committee against some of the provisions CON-
tanned In the treaties recently made with the Dakota or
Sioux Indians, for portions of their Lands in nit VI
Territory. have the honor submit the foIoying r,a,
statement Of facts connected with those treaties for Tho
entire correctness which can youch hnving bnn M % NV
eyewitness to the whole of the PROCEEDINGS connected
Herewith.
In both of the treaties referred stipulated that
the Indians Shall receive portion the purchase ,onp,
in hand, or upon their establishment in their new homes
to meet their Just engagements and their removal and
subsistence IL is notorious every man who has long
resided in the Territory, that those bands interested in the
Traverse des Sioux treaty have many years been sup
ported by the regularly licensed traders at very great
loss and expense to the latter. The country bc;,. ,,
denulcd of and these bands living no annuitin
vance them, annually clothing for themselves aud ,ut
and guns and ammunition, and PROVISIONS without which
supplies these poor creatures would inrito,v hov nor
ishcd. f
The Indians, about four thousand in number connected
with the upper treaty. well know that the resources Of
their country were entirely INADEQUATE enable tem t
pay for these credits in fus SKINS ALWAYS assured
their traders that ample provision should made to meet
their demands whenever a treaty soud he cctcd viii,
the government Accordingly, upper bands and port
of the lower bands did enter LEGATION To sot aside
from amount provided to be paid to them in bani mn
Iced in
much short of what they justly owe part of the bands
interested in the treaty have not ssnrs any o,da
tion 1t is now alleged understand, that tn. CHIEFS and
principal men of the upper bands signed the obliratIn
without knowing its nature, but with the supposton that
they We're afiNing their or marks To- "A duuIcnte
copy OF the treaty. This solemny assert to be entirely
false The amount to be allowed payment of debts
was subject of discussion among the Indians and tbeir
traders, and the missionaries, DAYS before the treaty
was executed, and was myself present very frequently
when these discussions took place when the treaty
Interpreted TO the Indians was expressly eypIanel
by the government interpreter chiefs and principal
men all expressed their willingness provide for the pay
meh OF their debts to the traders who in
try, but were unwilling to the claims of others who
no lollsel ived among them. Although by such
raeeneit those OF the former class have secured
themselves without difficulty. they were too unrirht
10 avail themselves OF such an advantage ncn-resi-
dent claimants. They therefore proposed that the Indians
should oligate themselves To the designated and
those who really bona 6de creditors of the s,I
bands, which the chiefs and the division v,s
nia,'e IN fair AMI equitable manner. The amount set
aside by the Indians did suffice 10 nav more than o,n
half of their just Indebtedness, the traders agreed n
accept 1t IN ull OF all demands beg state what
Know Of the traders among tIcs, Indians Some of
them have spent twenty, thirty even forty wears in
The trade, and al with scarcely an exception Of thes
debt ana uve.Iy Impoverished IN consenence Of their
goods having been advanced, before stated for the
beleiit Of the miserable beings among whom they Iyp
Among them are old men with large families Of cbjldren
who are entirely without the support and whose
sole dependence is upon the provisions made for tI,om v
The Indians So far the from desiring to re-
puiiate their obgaon that the very individuals who
have signed the protest, offered subsequently At Wana
t,nftl
II carried out in good faith that was no; dnen,ai no
cessary. The Of the half breeds who uaro "rI
eu io Ill te same obligation designated by the chiefs
In 'pen council in presence large number of lni.n.
and inserted according to their instructions. '
have thus stated to you, sir, what know t no II,
Inth Ill RECORD 10 The upper Traverse Sioux treaty
The sequel is yet to come In the month of october last
three months nearly after the conclusion of that nnroti,
ton, Mr. Swectser arrived Paul with nm ossort
lnelt OF goods, and applied To the agent at Fort
SeliS "r license to traic with the Sioux, which was
se' ana he proceeded to Traverse des Sioux. Although
an utter stranger to the Siotly never bavir nrcous
,ea neiI country or had any dealings, directly or in
directly with them yet having been connected in the trade
with the Mams and other tribes Indiana (as have
been inorned) he was well acquainted with Indian char
acter, and he forthwith commenced operations Inv on
orng to produce dissatisfaction among th hefs ana
principal men with their old friends among the traders
and to induce them to repndatr their oIgations In th
absence of those interested max pruse cxpcn
dt're of presents, together with an appeal o tbrir nu
y by stating, that if they would sign his papers they
should receive much ar@cf of money than thov
otherwise would, part of them persra led 10 sign
protest AGAINST their previous obligation, ouer of
control Orer all their money to be receircd from Me
uPpr Tcdfy, If ratided except the regular :nnutes
Ana Is also stated that there still Mrd vg Dpr ar
aEreeenf, which is not forthcoming here, and which pro-
Nues tha' sad SwcctSer shall share eguay with the
othcr contracting party in what secured hy him
rohi he amount due to the traders and half -irre.s and
armed win these documents, which the officers Of the In
dian department in Minnesota not certify or have
anything to do with, he presents himself in This it
anu hopes, with the aii of others have reason f.,
believe to be eonnsenty interested with him, to induce
your honorable committee further his views Ly sc
amendment TO the treaty which may prevent the rcbtfu
ca1rlas should the treaty be ratified, from receiyina
what Is so justly their due. A more sacred debt was
never incurred than is owing by Indians to the fra
ders; and, sir, thrust your honorable committee rrU
| ties. '9 y "'' "'"-
1c Indian department has the authority, and is made
its duty by existing laws guard the rccents of annu
ies AGAINST imposition and ram the gentleman al its
nead VIII no doubt do his duty. As the treaty wone
the government recognises individual claims upon the
Indians but very properly leaves the question To be set
tled between them and their creditors. can assert
without fear of contradictory many Of those who arc
interested in the obligation given by the per Sox are