, 1854-06-24
Council with the
BlNckfeet Indians, sc.

Bl0ckIeet Indians &c.
In the United States Senate, April 24th,
in committee of the whole, that body pro-
ceeded to consider the bill from the House
of Representatives, making appropriations
for the current and contingent expenses of
the Indian Department, for the year ending
June 3Oth, 1855; which had been re-
ported from the Committee on Finance with
amendments.
Amongst the amendments offered to the
appropriation bill, for the payment of ex-
pcnses connected with the Indian service in
Washington territory, we find the following
For general incidental expenses of the Indian ser.
| vice in Washington Territory, SIS 900.
For general incidental expenses in the Indian ser.
vice in Washington Territory for six months ending
June 30th, 1854, 81 600,
For the expenses of holding a council with, and
making presents Of goods and provisions 10 the Black.
teet Grsventres and other wild tribes Of Indians i'm.
mediatey within or adjacent to the eastern boundary
OF Washington Territory 100000
The last named Appropriation was recon-
mended, in strong terms, to the favorable
consideration of'congress, by the Commits
sioncr of Indian Affairs, who predicated
his arguments in favor of the same on the
representations Of its importance by Gov.
STEVENS.
The estimate made by Gov. Stevens for
the purchase Of goods and provisions, and
for defraying the expenses of transporta-
ton, &c, for the convening of council
at Fort Benton, as soon as practicable,
similar to that held at Fort Laramie, in
1851, was set down, at about SEC. .OOO-
The Commissioner of Indians Affairs being
led to believe that the estimate Of Cows.
would be insufficient to accomplish, with
success, the object contemplated, asked for
an appropriation of $lOO, 900.
Considerable discussions being elected as
to the propriety, and amount Of the appro-
priation, Mr.. Pearce moved to amend by
striking out 900, ,OOO," and inserting, $50.
900. The following is portion of the dis
cussion which followed:
Mr.. PEARCE. Gov. Stevens takes
a large and comprehensive view of these
matters and | suggest that he would re-
commend all that was desirable in this case.
think the estimate he gives would be
quite as large as it is desirable that the
Senate should pass. doubt very much
whether there is any great pressing necess-
ity at this time for concluding treaties Of
peace with the Indians between the Rocky
mountains and that part of the Territory
of Washington in which there is any set
tlement Certainly one consequence df this
appropriation will be large array of Gov
ernment officers. 1t will lead to q consid-
cradle amount of money being paid to In
dian agents and sub-agents. l think, there
fore, it will be better to limit it, at all
events, to the amount proposed by Govern
or Stevens"
Mr.. PRATT followed in opposition to
the appropriation.
Mr.. ATCHISON, spoke in favor of it,
and contended that although the main
route connecting the western states with
the Pacific, was now through the South
Pass, yet the probability was that in fu-
ture, the northern route through the Black
foot country, would be the one adopted by
emigrants from the northwestern states, it
being the nearest and best route to the
territory Of Washington. He said we had
treaties with all Indian tribes Of any impor-
tance except the Blackfeet, and thought it
due to that tribe and the government, that
a treaty be entered into. He was in favor
of the 100000 appropriation,
Mr.. DODGE, of Iowa. / regard this
appropriation, Mr.. President, as very i'm
portant one. l noticed the suggestion
made by Governor Stevens some time since
in his report on that section Of the country,
and think the making of it will save very
many lives. believe that the route over
which he passed is destined to become u
very important thoroughfare f; and | am
sure that nothing can be more important
than at this time to propitiate the good
will Of those remote and distant tribes, of
which we know nothing except as we hear
from them through wandering agent or
reporter.
have met with the same gentleman to
whom the Senator from Missouri alluded
Mr. Culbertson. He has spent twenty or
thirty years Of his life among these lndi-
ans. He is in no way interested in this
matter aud he thinks that it is Of very
great Importance to our Indian relations in
that quarter that this appropriation should
be made. understand it to be recommen-
ded by the Secretary of the Interior, as
well as by Governor Stevens and the Com
missioner Of Indian Affairs. have great
respect for the recommendation of these