, 1854-08-12

] OF lHe hOcky y-ulOunJaln fCglOut Ill Tue uclBH'
borEood Of the st. Nlary's valley, has met
and held councils with the Flathcads and
the Representatives from other tribes, and
has gained the most accurate information
in reference to the habits, numbers, and
thoroughfares of the Indians who cross the
mountains TO the Missouri plains. In an
examination made in December and Janu-
ary, he crossed the Rocky mountains four
times exploring many beautiful and some
extensive valleys, extending his route to
Fort Hall, and accomplishing an aggregate
distance Of over 100 miles The Washing
ton Territory Indians he reports as bearing
in patience the stealing of horses and the
loss of men from the war parties Of the
Blackfeet, having faith that the government
will ultimately protect them Their heroic
character and good faith arc most signally
exhibited in the following pathetic incident,
which occurred in November last, referred
to by Lieut.. Mullan, and reported by Mr..
Doty in these words
"0n the lst of November, six Pend
dOreille Indians came to this post, and de-
liyered up all the horses that were stolen
1t appears that they were taken by two
young Pend d0reilles and run to the Pend
dOreille camp, then hunting beyond the
Muscle Shell, under the command of the
chief of that nation, Alexander The
horses were recognized by the stamps US be-
longing TO the whites, and the young men
confessed having stolen them at this post
A council was held, and it was determined
that it was a great sin to steal horses from
white men who were friendly to them that
the wishes Of the "Great Soldier 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'Oreillcs the name of liars
and iriaers that they had always borne
good name, and were ashamed 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 to the Fort
and delivered up the horses, without asking
any reward, but, on the contrary, express
ing much sorrow and shame that they had
been taken.
"Thus these six indians proved them
selves not only honest, but brave in the
highest degree coming, as they did, FIVE
days and nights march into an enemy's
country, simply to do an act Of justice to
strangers. They remained here two days,
and on departing were accompanied by Mr..
Clark and. myself fifteen or twenty miles on
their journey.
During their stay here, q number Of
Piegan warriors about the Fort became
very troublesome to the strangers--so much
so, that we were compelled to detail q
strong guard for their protection.
Suitable presents were given them from
the Indian goods left with me-"
In a communication from the St. Mary'sl
valley as late as the 9th of March, / learn
that Lieut.. MuIlan was then on his way to
Fort Benton 10 expostulate with the Black
feet, and that the Blackfeet and Crows were
nt war to the south. "a
Whilst, however, the tribes Of the Ter
ritory of Washington, consisting mainly Of
the Flatheads, Pend d'Oreilles, 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 are comply
ing with their promises, yet never were SO
many Blackfeet war parties on the trial as
during the past winter, says Mr. DOtyo
About five hundred, principally Pie
gans, have passed this post on their way
to war, since October lst about one hun
dred were induced to turn back, in the
same time eight hundred or one thousand
warriors must have passed above and be-
low the Fort, on their way to the Flat
heads, Snakes and Crows,7as l have from
time to time heard of large parties ofI
Bloods, Blackfeet and Gros Venters on
the march, and parties ore constantly 60
ing from the different bands"
Several of the chiefs have taken o deci-
ded stand for peace, and keep the warriors
Of their own bands at home. Others say
this is the last winter we can go to war
next summer the white soldiers will stop
us therefore let us steal this winter all
the horses we can )" and yet single white
can go in safety throughout their country,
and will be treated with hospitality hit
only danger would be that he might as
night be mistaken for an Indian, and thus
lose both his horses and his scalp.
In this connexion, viii call attention to
the importance of conciliating these Indi-
ans, so that, in the event df 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
over the Indians has beer. great A com
petition for the trade Of the Blackfeet now
exists between the American ports on the
Missouri and the British posts on the Sac
atchawan and it is alleged by Mr.. Doty
that at the British posts whiskey is fur
nished the Indians. l am satisfied no such
nsfaxious traffic is carried on at any Ameri-
,feas Dst on the Missouri. The Blackfeet,
i az General thing nrefer the American 70