The daily Minnesota pioneer., 1854-06-28
Governor Stevens Report on Indian
Councils.
WAsH1NGToN, June s, 1851.

WAsHINGToN, June s, 1854.
SIR: Ny former communications have made known
to the department the arrangements made TO secure
peace between the Indian tribes east and west Of the
Rocky mountains, and to pave the way Tor council
here >haIl be present all the tribes not included
existing t-a.ies. These arrargemeh ats consisted in
counciIs held by myself Fort Benton with the
Black feet at the st. NIarys valley with the Flat
heads. and with Other tribes on my way to the valley
of h- Columbia and in devovine npon Mr.. Doty,
at Fort Reuton and Lieut. Mullan, in the ST. Mays
valley, inrorn, Indian duties, of which the depart
nicnt has already Leen informed
Since my last communication have received adj
dional information, showing the necessity of the
council.
1t mast 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 will strongl urge it; that, consequence the
consent and cooperation Of the Indians themselves
has been asked and gained; but that whether shall
be held not will depend upon the action Of the
tho,,ties at home.
] trust that the following brief statement Of facts
will carry conviction to the necessity Of the
Gil, for the protection of citizens, well the
protection of the Indians themselves.
The Indians whom it is proposed to convene in
council at Fort Benton, the Biackiect, composed
Of bands Pesans, B!o,ds, Blackieet, and Gros
Nenters-and numbering some twelve TO fourteen
ng,on from the Cascades the dividing ridge of the
Rocky mountains, who meet the Blackte2 in sanguI-
nary si lie on the plains of the MIssoni IN pursuit
OF buffalo Besides which, i, is hoped that the IN
uence Of the council will contribute to prevent the
recurrence of difficulties between the Blackfret ard
the Crows and Assene5oins. The coHncil directly
affects the peace and we'll being Of twenty-five
thousand Indians, east and west of the Rocky ioul-
tiinS
Mr. Dotv, in the discharge of his Indian duties,
lat
eet the Ma,;,s river, held councils with their di;-
rcnt bands, and was not only received with III" great
est hospitality, but was assured hy the rlnciijal
chiefs of their desire to bring end these border
difficulties, to enjoy the protection of the government,
and to learn the arts of civilized life. Their pmcI-
pal chiefs present at the council held 10y mC IN Sep
tember last. have made great exertions to prevent
their young men from going on war parties, and one
ot their brdvest and most influential chiefs, the "Ltle
Dog" was actually attacked and wounded by the
As>cncboins, and yet would not ieiaate, in conse
quence of his promise in council to abstain from
by advces received at subsequent period, | have
learned that Mr.. Doty, in January and February, was
amongst these Indians, and listened 20 with the
greatest respect. They desire to learn agriculture,
and ealize lIly that the buffalo will disappear,
and that their only resource will be the cultivation
the soil.
Mr.. Doty is now making extensive examinations
OF the adjacent country, running out the various
streams from the Marias to the Three Forks, and
from the most westerly bend Of the Missouri to Ju-
dith river in order To select the best position for
Indian agency. and ascertain ali the facts in reference
to the adaptation of the coantry tlagc and gra-
Zing.
Lieutenant Mullan has been equally active in his
cxertions to collect nio,m of the Rocky Noun
tain region in the neig ,rhood of the ST. Mary :
valley, has net and held cu,mc lis with the Flaheats
and the representatives from other tribes and has
gained the most accurate information in reference to
the habits, numbers, and toruuS h.rcs of the Indians
VINO cross the mountains to the Missouri plains. In
examination made in December and January, he
crossed the Rocky Mountains four times, exploring
many beautiful and some extensive valleys, extending
his route to Fort Hail. and accomplishing aggre-
gate distance of over 100 miles. The Washington
/ Territory Indians he reports as bearing in patience
the stealing of horses and the loss Of from the
war parties of the BIackieet, having faith that the
government will ultimately protect them. Their he
."c ei"."o.e. aud oo,,' G are most sgnalIy exhb
tied IN the following pathetic incident. vi hch occur
red in November last. referred to b, Lieutenant NAL
Ian, and reported by Mr.. Doy in these words
| son the lSt Of November, SIX Pend dOrriih. In
dians came to this post, and delivered up all the
horses that were stolen 1t appears that they were
taken by two young Pend d'Orccs and to the
Iend d Ofcilie camp, then hunting beyond he Mus
Gle Shell, under the command of the chief of that na-
ton, 'AIcxander.' The horses were recognised hv
the stamps as belonging to the whites, and the Young
men confessed having stolen them at this post. A
council was held, and it determined that it was
a great sin 10 stea! horses from white who were
friendly to Ihem that the wishes of the Great Sol
der Chief, who had been at st. Mary's, were
known to them, and they had promised compliance
with them; that stealing these horses would give the
Pend d'Orei!les the name Of liars and rillers tla,
they had always borne good name ,and were ashan-
ed To have mean things SAID of them now; therefore,
the horses must be taken back by the great chief and
five principal men Of the tribe. Accordingly they
came boldly up to the Fort and delivered up the
ask Duv rI 1,,t
trary. expressed much sorrow and shame that they
had been taken.
"Thus these six Fndians proved themselves not on
y honest, but brave in the highest deg &c; coming
they did, five days and nights march into an enc
my country simply to do OF Justice to stran-
gers. They remained here two days, and on depart
ing were accompanied by Mr.. Clark and myself fl
teen or twenty miles on their journey.
During their stay here, number cf Piegan war
riors about the Fort, became very troublesome to the
stransers-sa much so, that were compelled to
detail strong guard for their protection.
g Suitable presents given them from the Indi-
an goods left with mc.''
In communication from the ST. Mary's valley as
late the 9th of March, learn that Lieut.. Mnlln
then on his way to Fort Benton to expoStuIa,c
with the Backtc, and that the Blackicet and Crows
were at to the south.
Whilst, however, the tribes of the Territory of
Washington consisting mainly of the Fiathcads,
Pend d'Oreil!es, CGur 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 complying with their
promises, yet never were many Backieet war
parties on the trail as during the present winter, says
Mr.. Doty.
"About five hundred principally Piegans, have
passed this post their way to war; since October
lst; about one hundred induced to turn back.
In the same time eight hundred one thousand war
riors must have passed above aud below the Fort,
on their way to the Flatheads Snakes. and Crows
As have from time to time heard Of large parties of
Bloods, Blackteet, and Gros Nenters on the march.
and parties constantly going from the different
! bands
Several Of the chiefs have taken tieci,led stand