Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-02-16
DISTRIBUTING PRESENTS TO THE
INDIANS.

DISTRIBUTING PRESENTS TO THE
INDIANS.
An Amusing Scene.
A correspondent of the st. Louis Re-
publican gives the following account da-
ted at Fort Laramie, Oct. 90.
Yesterday and to day have been busy
and exciting days at Laramie, especially
to the Indian population concentrated in
this vicinity. Yesterday was the day ap
pointed by Major Fitzpatrick for coun-
Gil or talk with the principal Chiefs ofthe
nation, preparatory to the distribution of
presents which was fixed for to-day
lust as the council was about being open
cd, 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 implements of savage
warfare, discharging their guns and ma
king other not very peaceful but rather
threatening demonstrations. They even
went so far as to fire gun over the head
of young man in Major Fitzpatrick's
service, aiming it almost Immediately at
his head. Upon inquiry, it was learned
that the party had come up in this threat
ening manner to demand redress for some
injury which had been done to one of
their number by soldier the day pre-
vious. Soon the commanding officer,
Lieut.. Garnett and Major Fitzpatrick ap-
peared before them, and after, as [ think,
very properly telling them that they did
not understand such movements; that if
soldier had injured an Indian it was
their duty to complain to the COM
manding officer in 4 peaceful way, and
he would punish the soldier; that il the
Indians desired peace the whites would
give them peace; butif they wanted war,
the whites were ready to meet them in
war, then, or hereafter, and commanded
them to disperse. This they did, and in
short time not an Indian brave of the par
ty was to be seen in the vicinity of the
Fort. During this time the long roll had
been beat, the company called to arms,
and two pieces of artillery placed on the
parade ground. Lieut.. Garnet, Major
Fitzpatrick. and other officers present dis
played great GOODNESS and self-command
during the rather exciting interview
The difficulty was finally adjusted by the
soldier paying the Indian who had been
struck, compensation for the indignity
in the shape of few pounds of sugar
Shortly after this, the Council commen-
ced. The deliberations were character
lied by great apparent friendliness and
much good will on the part of the In
dians. Numerous speeches were made
by different chiefs, and numerous de-
mands upon the Government, through the
agent, Major F. Some of them were
sufficiently ludicrous to excite more
than passing smile. One chief demanded
that in return for the right of way through
the country, granted under the late trea-
ty, the Government should dress and arm
the Indian soldiers like their own troops,
in order that they might enforce obedi-
ence to It's provisions. Another required
that the government should distribute an
nually among them one hundred horses
and one hundred thousand dollars worth
of goods. Various other demands and
matters having reference to the same
general subjects, came under discussion.
While the chiefs were apparently quite
peaceably and friendly disposed toward
the whites, it was evident that they were
not altogether satisfied with the obliga-
tions they had entered into under the
treaty of last fall. They professed that
they did not understand or comprehend
the nature of its provisions or obligations,
and one of them said that the chief did
not clearly know what he was doing when
he signed the treaty. The chief, him
self, Matto Ioway, or "a Fighting Bear, "
said that when the white man gave him
the sarchment upon which tho treaty was
written, he supposed that he gave him
something to live by; but that he would
nevertheless, observe it even at the price
of death. Upon the matters which called
forth these remarks, being more thorough
ly explained to him, he seemed much bet
ter contented. 1t is the opinion of many
persons in this country-persons best in
formed on the subject. and thoroughly
acquainted with the Indian character
that the Laramie treaty of last fall, SO far
from being attended with beneficial re-
suits, has operated to the injury of emf
grafton and the country. They base
their opinions upon the greater assurance
and impudence in the bearing of the lndi
ans, their increased and increasing de
mands, and the open dissatisfaction they
express at the passage of such large
number of whites through their lands
They say that the Indians have been lee
by that treaty to suppose that they pos
sessed nights which they never suspected
themselves of having before, and which
do not In fact exist. Some persons anti
cipate Indian troubles in this neighbor.
hood before the winter is over.
How shall / describe the strikinrly
picturesque scene the grotesque and lu-
dicrous incidents, the eccentric character.