The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-22
Governor stevens' Report ON tho Blachfoot
Council.

known TO the department the arrangements make to
secure peace between the Indian tribes east aud
west OF the Rocky Mountains, and to pave the way
for q council where shall be present all the tribes
not included In existing treaties. These arrange
ments consisted in councils held by myself, at Fort
Benton, with the Backieet at the ST. Mary's valley
with the Flatheads and with other tribes on my
way to the valley OF the Columbia, and in devolvng
upon MIR. Doty, at Fort Benton, and Lieut.. Mu.lan
IL the 81 Marys valley, important Indian duties OF
which the department has already been informed.
Since my last communication have received ad-
ditional information showing the necessity OF the
council.
1t must be remarked, however, that great caution
has been exercised not to commit the government to
this measure.
The Indians know that the officers of the govern
ment whom they have met deem it necessary that
they viii strongly urge IT. that in consequence, the
consent and cooperation of the Indians them selves
has been asked aud gained; but that whether it shall
be held or not will depend on the action Of the
authorities at home.
trust that the following brief statement of facts
will carry conviction as TO the necessity of the coun
Gil for the protection of citizens, as well as the
protection Of the Indians themselves.
The Indians whom 1t is proposed to convene in
council at Fort Benton are the Backfeet, composed
OF four baDds-Pegans, BlOods, Blackfeet, and Gros
Venters-and numbering some twelve to fourteen
thousand, and the tribes in the Territory of Wash
ington from the Cascades to the dividing ridge of
the Rocky mountains, who meet the Blackfeet in
sangulnary strife on the plains of the Missouri in
pursuit Of Buffalo. Besides which, it is hoped that
the influence of the council will contribute to pre-
vent the recurrence Of difficulties between the Black
feet and the Crows and Asseneb0ins. The council
directly affects the peace and well being of some
twenty five thousand Indians, east and west of the
Rocky mountains.
Mr.. Doty, in the discharge of his Indian duties,
visited in December last five Thousand Black
feet on the Marias river, held councils with their
different bands, and was not only received with the
greatest hospitality, but was assured by the prnci
pal chiefs OF their desire to bring to an end these
klcl ia, o,<:..
government, and to learn the arts of civilized life.
Their principal chiefs resent at the council held by
me in September last, have made great exeltions to
prevent their young men going on war parties, and
one o. their bravest and most influential chiefs, the
"Little Dog, " was actually attacked and wounded
by the Asseneboins, and yet would not retaliate in
consequence of his promise in council to abstain
from war. BY advices received at subsequent
period, have learned that Mr.. Doty, in January
AID February, amongst these Indians, and was
listened to with the greatest respect. They desire
to learn agriculture and realize fully that the buffalo
will soon disappear and that their only resource
will be the cultivation Of the soil.
Mr.. Doty is now making extensive examinations
OF the adjacent country, running ont the various
streams from the Marias to the Three Forks and
from the most westerly bend of the Missouri to
Judith river in order to select the best position for
an Indian agency, and ascertain all the facts in re-
ference to the adaptation Of the country to tlage
and grazing.
Lieutenant Mullan has been equally active in his
exertons to collect information of the Rocky Noun
tain region, in the neighborhood of the st. Marys
valley, has met and held councils with the Flat
heads and the representatives from other tribes and
has gained the most accurate information in refer
ence to the habits numbers, and thoroughfares Of
the Indians who cross the mountains to the Mis-
souri, plains. In al examination made in December
ana January, he crossed the Rocky Mountains four
times, exploring many beautiful and some extensive
valleys, extending his route to Fort hall, and
comprising an aggregate distance of over 700
miles. The Washington Territory Indians he re-
hoe, -,
and the loss Of men from the war parties of the
Blackfeet, having faith that the government will
ultimately protect them. Their heroic character
ard good faith are most signally exhibited in the
following pathetic incident, which occurred in No
vember last. referred to by Lieut.. Mullan and re-
ported by Mr.. Doty in these words:-
On the lst of November, six Pend d'Oreile Indians
came to this post and delivered all the horses that
were stolen 1t appears that they were taken by two
young Pend dOreilles and run to the Pend dOreille
camp then hunting beyond the Muscle She'll under the
horses recognized by the stamps belonging
We whites, and the yourg men confessed having stolen
them at This post. council was held, and it Was de
termined that it great sin to steal horses from
White men who frienoy to them; that the wishes
known TO them, and they had promised compliance
with them; that stealing these horses would give tho
lend dOeilles the of liars and trers that they
had always borne a good name, and were ashamed to
have mean things said of them now; therefore, the
horses must he taken back by the great chief and five
plincipal men of the tribe Accordingly they came
boldly to the Fort and delivered the horses without
asking any reward, but, on the contrary expressing
much sorrow and shame tn at they had been taken
Thus these six Indians proved themselves not only
honest, but brave in the highest degree; coming,
they did, five days. ard nights march into enemy's
country, simply to do act Of justice TO strangers
They remained here two days, and departing were
accompanied by Mr. Clark and myself fifteen or twenty
During their stay here number of Piegan warriors
about the Fort became very to the strangers
so much SO, that we were compelled to detail strong
guard for their protection.
Suitable presents were given them from the Indian
goods left with me.
In communication from the st. Mary's valley as
was then on his way to Fort Benton to expostulate
with the Blackfeet, and that the Blackfeet and
Crows were at war to the south.
Whilst, however, the tribes of the Territory Of
Pend d'Oreilles, Cmur d'Alenes, spokanes and Nez
Perces, and two to three thousand Of whom hunt on
the Missouri plains each year. and whilst the chiefs
present at Fort Benton are complying with their
promises, yet never were many Blackfeet war
parties on the trail during the past winter. Says
Mr.. Doty:-
About five hundred principally Piegans have passed
this post on their way to war; since October st about
one hundred induced to turn back. In the same
time eight hundred thousand warriors must have
passed above and below the Fort their way to the
time heard Of large parties Of Blood" Backfeet and Gros
Venters the march, and parties constantly going
from the different bands
Several of the chiefs have taken decided stand
LOT peace, anu WaTIiOrS Ol bnelr own DanQS
at home Others say "ths is the last winter we can
60 to war; next suwmer the white soldiers will stop
u.s. therefore let steal this winter all the horses
we CAM" and yet single white can go in safety
throughout their country, and will be treated with
hospitality His only danger would be that he might
at night be mistaken for an Indian, and thus lose
both his horses and his scalp.
In this connection, will call attention to the i'm
portance of concatng these Indians, that, in
the event OF war, they may be our friends. The
trading posts of the Hudson's Bay Company extend
to the north from the Red river settlements to the
Rocky Mountains, and their influence the In
dams has been great competition for the trade
OF The Blockieet row exists between the American
posts on the Missouri and The British posts on the
Ssscatchswan and il is alleged by Mr.. D0ty that ut
the British posts whsley is furnished the Indians.
am satisfied no such nearoas traffic Is carried on
at any American post on the Missouri. The Black
feet, as general thing prefer the American to the
ment once extended to them, they will cease to be
under foreign influence.