The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1854-03-23

REMOVAL OF rHE IHDsAss.-We publish this
week article signed A. r. in answer to the CON-
muncation Of Rev. Mr.. Rggs, week before last, rel
alive to the removal Of the Upper Sioux.
We by means endorse the views Of "a. r."
neither do we believe that Mr.. Riggs has used any
language in his communication which was improper,
cvcn when addressed to so august parsonage as a
Government Agent" We publish the communion
ton because il is upon important subject, and one
which should be closely examined prev ous to taking
action thereon.
The position assumed by Mr. Riggs in his comnu
nication, is based upon a thorough knowledge Of the
Indian character, and sacred obligation entered in
to at the time Of the treaty, between the Government
and the Indians.
1t will be remembered that the land which the
Sisseton and Warpeton Indians reserved from sale
under the treaty, extends from Lac Traverse to the
mouth Of the Yellow Medicine river. The under
standing by the Indians and the commissioners at
the time was, that the Lake Traverse, Big Stone
Lake and Lac qui Parle Indians would occupy the
land they have heretofore occupied and that the
Little Rapids Indians, and those who resided abont
the Traverse DIES Sioux and Little Rock, would &C.
cupy that portion of the reservation below the mouth
Of the Chippewa river Ii is true that the Senate
altered the provision. under which the land was re.
served to the Indians, but no alteration was ever
made either by the Senate by the Indians, which
could authorize the concentration Of the Upper In
dams upon the lands reserved for the lower Indians
only.
So well understood was this arrangement at the
time Of the treaty, and also the time the Indians
acceded to the Senate amendments, that the Super
in,endent promised that land should be plowed at
Lac qui Parc. Big Stone Lake and Lac Traverse,
for the use Of the Indians residing there. For this
purpose tho Indians set apart money, and it
doubleday the duty OF the government officers to have
expended that money in accordance with the n,ent
and meaning Of the parties to the treaty, Up to the
present time, however, the upper Indians have de-
rived ~ benefit from the fund apart for agrcuIiu-
raj purposes; and IL is proposed to expend it
where it he of no benefit whatever TO those In
dians, but will open extensive farms, and build mills
&C.. from which the Indians be removed in a
lew years, and those taruS and other improvements
will revert to the government, or the land on which
they located will be bought by some favorite
governmedt official for dollar and quarter per
Justice demands that the Improvement fund re-
served by the Indians should be expended where,
and in such manner as will be most beneficial to the
Indians, and hold it should be expended on lands
to which The title has not been extingushed, as it
can be, without removing the Indians but a few
miles, and without bringing them east, which is de-
cdedly contrary to the settled policy Of the govern
ment. This might entail little more labor upon
the agent bu, that should not weigh io,a against
provision for the permanent welfare Of those In
dians.
We hope that this subject will he canvassed by all
who feel interested in the welfare of the Upper
Sioux, and that the subject may be properly laid
before The Department at Washington by the Super
in,endent in this Territory, that the necessary
instructions may he issued to prevent SO great an
outrage rapable violation of public faith as i,
contemplated 10y the concentration Of the Upper Sioux
at and below the eastern boundary Of their reserva-
/ ton.