The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-06-11
For the Hinnesotian.
Justice to an Old Citizen.


Justice to an Old Citizen.
The truth Of history as regards the first set
tiers of every or any portion of our extensive
territorial possessions, ought to be INDICATED,
and true record made for the benefit of our de-
scendants-fruth is better than fiction, and it
breaks no bones-however much it may hurt
some of a tender conscience. The expedition
of Pike in the year 1905 was deemed prelimi-
nary step to the occupancy of all that region
of country now embraced within the limits of
Wisconsin and Minnesota-but the war of 1912
for some years. put stop to the previous in
tentions of the Government, of establishing mil
itary Posts on the Upper Mississippi. At the
close of three years trial of strength with Great
Britain our extensive frontier, from the con-
fines of Missouri and Illinois to latitude 40 north
had become, from the proximity of our Indian
tribes and British influence upon the minds and
actions of this wide race of people, unsafe and
our intercourse beyond the limits of the States
referred to, rendered thereby both delicate and
dangerous, and it was left for the Administra-
ton of President Monroe to devise and mature
plan for the more healthy control of the North
western tribes of Indians, and for the security
of commerce with them by the establishment of
military Posts and garrisons of troops at prop
erpoints in and near the Indian country. Hence
the first expedition 1919 under Lieut.. Col. Hen
ry Leavenworth to the Falls of St. Anthony
with the major part Of the 9Th Regiment of U
S. Infantry, whose first official report from st.
Peters was dated September 1919. The winter
passed, he was relieved by Colonel Josiah Smell
ling, who speedily settled on the site and the
work went bravely on under this most able and
! efficient officer. AS the result of his unceasing
care and vigilance, We have that beautiful work,
"Fort Smelling, the corner stone of which
has on deposite, all the names of the officers
civil and military present, and principal me-
chanics. The expedition referred to was accom-
panied by Major Lawrence Talaferro as Special
| Agent for Indian Affairs, who soon opened the
way for trade and intercourse with the surroun-
ding tribes. The wisdom of the occupancy of
the st. Peters was soon felt both at home and
abroad. British influence died hard death
and the Agent had many a hard battle with
some of John Bulls" good friends and true,
near him, but his line of policy secured our cit
liens in their persons and property-enjoyed
for t,centy gears the confidence of the Indians,
| to an extent no American citizen was ever
known before or since to possess-an influence
powerful for good or evil, but we have reason
to know all this power was exercised for the
happiness of the Indians, the safety of our from
tiers men and the honor of the country. We
heard the excellent Senator Dodge, of Iowa,
pronounce in public assembly, Major Talia-
ferro to be the original edition of Minnesota
we must not fail to remind our readers, howev-
er, of the fact that the true Patriarch, at pres
ent of Minnesota, is Philander Prescott and en-
gagged, it is believed in the Indian Agency at
or near Fort Snelling-an honest man and a
christian. We do not claim for Major Taliafer-
| 70 more than an honest acknowledgement by
| the people, of his long-honest and faithful eff
forts to bring Minnesota to her present prosper
Gus condition. Did any other man ever go fur
Their to promote peace within your borders?-
Did he lay his hand upon one inch of soil in
your Territory? Was he in the way of any
squatter before or subsequent to the treaty o:
Washington of September 20, 1887? No, he
looked quietly dissatisfied to see both native
and adopted citizens help themselves to the
best locations, and most valuable in the coded
| territory. Though he may have hung his harp
upon the willows" and may no more hear the
song or join the dance of the noble Dakota--the
| name of N1z1 Busioh will not he lost until the
last remnant of that once powerful nation shall
have passed away. SURGE UT PROSIM.