The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-14

Blackfeet Indians.

The BackIe4t Indians occupy portion Of the Indian
territory Of the Northwest around the OF The Mis-
sour and Yellow Stone rivers, extending southwark 10
wards the South Pass and north ward into British Amer
ea including large portion OF The valley Of Ssskatehu-
river They divided into several bands or tribes
called by different names but all included under the
general name BIackieel" The three principal bands
are the Backieet proper. the Bloods, and Pegans
The tribe very large one, numbering several thou
sands For years they have been the terror OF the noun
ans and the plain. DsdsinIng all alliances with Other
tribes they have openly bid defiance 10 her all. and war
to The death their motto, whenever they have mel. W
Their hunting grounds, with Indians Of any other tribe
Their neighbor. and principal enemies The Faheads
Pend Orie. and Nez Perces. from the western .ide OF
the Rocky mountains, and the Dsootahs, Gros Nenres
and Crows on The eastern side They are probably az
perfect specimens OF the his primitive condition
can be found spon the North American continent
Second only to taking the soalps OF their numerous
mes horse stealing 10 The most noble and manly accom-
pishment An expert borse-hlef Is bero whose tile "a
nobility IL unquesioped. and danger risk V 100
great for young ambitious 10 IN order 10 ac-
quire the reputation 40 much coveted
The Backieei are dependent upos the buffalo Tor food
clothing and shelter. and levy yearly contributions upon
their OF the for supply 0 horses
The Flaihesds, Pend Onelx. and Nez P-rees, cross
the XIV yearly the plains OF Missouri 10
hunt buffalo for their winter subsistence and during their
the steal all the horses they find; rarely
il that they without supply Of stolen animals
III any OF these stealing hnniing, parties, meet
with ndrans Of sno her tribe, quarter asked
given Some Of the bIoodle. battles record have been
fought beiween the Blsekfeet and Of The other
tribes One occurred bat short tms ago between The
Daoo,shs and twenty or thirty Of them; both upon
party sgsnsi large bard Of Crows; their trails
crossed and instead Of joining forces and fighting Their
common enemy they fought each uber and every Black
foot killed II "a with th. Wild and wsrlike tribe
that has proposed 10 bold council
The importance and justice 81 tie proposition was ably
and eoqueny advocated by Mr. Orr, Of South Carolina
bot for has been stricken from the Indian
appropriation bill This deeply TO he regretted,
cry principle OF justice and humanity requires that
Ties should be entered into good fsh between
wild tribes and the Uni,ed States In military point o
view, this particularly important. as. in case OF
between the countries. they could be wrought upon
BY English influence, already predominant through The
budsons Bay Company, 10 do much injury 10 from
usr' Ny making treaty with these tribes. and ssndlng
up steamer annually loaded witt articles useful OF de-
Srabe 10 an Indian, self-nierss and gratitude would at
'ach Them 70 and snail parties OF emigrsnis viii bs
able 70 coss the continent the Pacific in comparative
safety who Otherwise might have fallen victims 10
age fsrociiy
The foiiowrg Interesting scene which occurred The
2st OF September, 1889, Al Fort Benton, an American
Fur Companys trading post, near The falls Of the Mis
sour within ninety miles d the hocky mountains he
tween small party Of white men engaged upon The
petition and survey Of Pacific railroad route, under
Governor Stevens and delegations IRON several Of
rhe bands, including BlsckIee, Bloods. and Pegans
Vi serve 70 give an des 81 The importance 81 the aea.
ws advocated hy Mir Orr II was aboas Il o'coek h
When the delegation IN sight Of our little party
They we're al mounted upon good hur-es and dressed IN
hs,r esyss war costume A stsn6ard-bserer marched
Ruylngs white flag Thee halted al some