The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1854-01-26

ST. Paul, Jan. 18th 1854. !
CENT have received your letter OF this date,
representing the wishes and feeling, of Il large bod,
Of the people Of llennepia county, and Of the Sixh
Council District III regard to the late treaty Nth
the Winnebagoes.
You assure respectfully that the ratification Of
thai Treaty would lead TO consequences ruinous
to the interests OF the nhab tanS oi the .xlh Coul
Gil District.
That the settlements on Lake Minnetonka were
made with firm belle! and understanding that the
Indian tribes longer to be kept in proximity
10 the and il they could not rid themselves Of these
disagreeabe neghboFs, would tend TO embarTass and
relard the grow III OF that interesting region.
Tic kind terms IN " bach sou pleased to make
this evidence Of public opinion known to NE, COM
mands my respect and requires TO act.
! When | was waited upon by the Chiefs Of the
Wiunebaeo tribes, had been in official position but
six DAYS. ! was Thea shown the memorial of the
preceding Legislature the letter Of M predecessor
to the Indian Department, and the report of the late
agent all fvorns the exchange Of country as ma
ter Of policy, for the good Of the tribe and the cue.
OF the Territory.
wrote on the Goth May, asking that action might
be taken in the matter. The Government, acceded
to one of the propos ions Of the Chiefs have new
home assigned them on Crow river.
My duties, special commissioner in anohe,
natter took my .Yhole time, and left me but little
leisure to inquire into the practical results. Conse
Guenty, ! bad necessarily To be counseled and ad
vsed by others. Ii is enough, therefore, for me tt
say, since l made that Treaty and since wrote m,
report in September last, only few weeks thereaf
ter, have been informed from time t. time of thc
dissaii faction growing out Of the proximity Of III,
new location Of the Indians to the growing settle
n,cnts. Had known this before, through any Off
cal channel, derived it IN any other way thai
from ru,nor, should not have felt at liberty
have recommended its ratification BY the Senate.
have pride OF opinion in the matter other thai
thp
prosperity of the people and the Territory.
/ would be doing myself injustice If | did not sa
that distinctly objected the Indians coming !:
the Mississippi river, and yielded TO it only becaus
OF our treaty obIe found the Sd article Of III
Treaty of 1916, and because the Indians seemed un
willing to give up all their interest that river.
know that Gen. Fletcher. my co-Comm ssoner, wa
actuated by the purest and most honorable motives
all his conduct in concentrating the late arrange
me nts. ard it is by means strange that public opn
ion should change the views Of public men in a couu
try like ours whtre population is pouring in uron
: and peopng the country with strangers, who hav,
to inform themselves before they act advisedly o
. such subjects, which is peculiarly exemplfsd in tn
change which has taken place on this subject sine
the session Of the Legislature before the last, whe
an exchange with these Indians for new home O
Crow river seeued to have met public appreciation
shall, therefore, feel at liberty longer to ins II
. upon the ratification OF said Winnebago Treaty in il
present shape, ard shall request the Indian Depar
nent to withhold the same, and submit it for tn
. action of the Senate
With great respect, am your obedient servant,
(Signed) W. A. GCRMAN.
DR.. Fletcher, in continuing his remarks, said the
euch was the end of the famous Winneba,o Urea.
which fraught with much mischief in embryo
and which has such happy termination.
The Hon. Henry 5. Pummer being called upor
said that the statement made by DR.. Fletcher wa
correct and he happy to congratulate the citizen
of both Henncpin and Ramsey counties on the end {
shc late Wanctaso Treaty.