The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1854-03-30


THERArIricArIos OF rHE TRrArIEs.--Now
that the United States Senate have by a unanimous
vote, honorably acquitted GOV. Ramsey Of the char
yes preferred against him, it IL but justice TO Hon. II
III. Sibey and others connected with him, that their
excrtions Tor the ratification OF the treaties and the
sacrifices they prepared to make TO insure the
public interests Of the Territory, should be made
known.
The following letter, addressed b, Mr.. Sibley du-
ring the tendency of the treaties before the Senate,
to Hon. A. e. Dodge, the warnest and most infuen-
,ial fren Minnesota has ever had in that body, and
Mr. Dodsc's reply thereto, will speak for themselves
They would have been Published long since, but for
the determination on the par, Of Mr.. Sbley, to allow
no collateral issues facts Interfere with full,
fair, and searching investigation into the matters
charged upon Gov Ramsey and the claimants. -
Though often applied to, he invariably refused TO al
low the publication under any circumstances, until
the examination which had been instituted by the
Senate at his instance and request, was concluded -
We have in one two instances, referred to these
letters, and were anxious for their publication at an
earlier period but we now believe Mr.. Sibley was
correct, satisfied as he was, and as all persons
conversant with the circumstances connected
with the payment should have been that the
investigation would result in the triumphant REPUTATION
Of all allegations made agains, Gov. Ramsey and the
parties interested.
The letter below will show that Mr.. Sihhy's high
sense OF public duty, the Delegate from Minnesota
dsrcyarded all personal considerations, and that he
was determined the treaties should be ratified, even
at the sacrifice Of the entire stipulation for the pay
OF the debts due by the Indians. although that
would have taken from him al remuneration for phi
va,ions endured during The seventeen years he had
been engaged in the Indian trade.
The Senate proved Itself TOO magNanmous TO &C
cept an offer, which, il carried cut would necessari-
ally have resulted in the absolute ,uin OF most Of the
claimants, Mr. Sibley himself, included. The letter
is alike honorable to the author, AMI to the people
who sent him to represent their interests IN Congress
HOUSE, OF RErREsENrArIyEs
WA.HiNGroN Nav 81, 1852. :
Hon. a. c. DopGE, L. :. SENATE:
DEAR SIR:--Nutice having been given by IT. c
chairman Of The Committee on Indian Affairs Of the
Senate, of his intent 10 move that the Minnesota,
treaties he taken up N Executve Session, to day
beg leave repeat t. YOU as the especial Trend OF
the Teri tory, wha; | have before stated orally.
The Importance of these measures To- Minnesota, Is
well your own State and to W Wisconsin, Is be-
>ond calculation. To the former indeed, the ratihca-
toa OF the treaties Is vitality necessary. hat
now wish to remind you Of, is that certain papers
have been laid before the Senate, III winch It IS
cha. ged that fraud is intended 10 be pepetated upon
/ the Indians who are parties 10 the Upper or Ira
/ verse dies Sioux treaty. | present during the
whole OF the negotiations and know that the Indians
,rots "A, r.I fbpI lai.i h;i
supported them tor many wears, and To whom they
are heavily and Justly indebted, certain sum OF
money in case Of the ratification Of The treaties, but
not sufficient to meet one half OF their liabilities. No
ailusion, however, made IN the treaty To any such
engagement. 1t Is question purely between the In
dians and their traders, be settled hereafter II Is
the bounden duty Of the Indian Office 10 see that the
Indians are not deiTanded, Otherwise injured. That
duty will no doubt be iai,hfnlI performed. now
rciterate you my request that II necessary ior the
success of the Sioux Treaties, all ptNat Interests
must be disrcgarded. have been fer seventeen
years and upwards, extensively engaged IN the trade
with the Sioux. That part of my HE has bcen
worse than sacrificed, for am thirty or iur,y
thousand dollars poorer than when commenced, Ia
consequence of the inability II the Indians 10 pay
for the enormous amounts Of goods aud provisions
whch il necessary 10 advance annually, 10 keep
them and their families from peiishinS. Others are
in the same situation with myself, and can truly
affirm that all the oil traders utterly inpover-
ishod, and deeply in debt.
! The Indians have expressed the,r Willingness to
pay them in part from the mouoy they to receive
from the treaty. But If This contemplated ARRANGE
ment, or any feature of the treaties, stands IN way
OF their ratification, private considerations, howev-
Ell important, must give place to the general good.
The treaties must be ratified, and who are IN
terested must slm, the sacrifice, however runous
to us. have no hesitation in stating it a. my dccI-
ded opnon, that the Senate choose between the
ratification Of these treaties, and Indian war with
the most numerous and war,lkc nation the MOI tn
American Continent No man, YOU are we'll
aware knows these Indians better than do, and
have reason believe they already feel that the gov
ernlncnt has not heretofore dealt fairly by :hem.--
The whites have taken possession Ct their country in
great numbers, and towns and villages are aIread,
springing mp different points within it, Save the
Treaties repeat whatever cost 10 all concerned.
am, Dear Sir,
Your friend and ol,'t servant,
(Signed) Ii. II. SlBl.EF.