The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-05-15

COL. HFNTONS bEffEh--IHE NEW INDIAN WAR
ST. Louls, April "a, 1855
Editor Republican
SIR win you permit me- through your columns 20 re-
ply TO letter OF Col Thomas H. Benton published in tbs
National In.eigencer Of the 10th OF April which strikes
with less establishment than regret STILL developing
the fact that soul and body rive not at parting than
greatness going OF #fE
is il not singular fact and one much to be deprecated
that an honorable ex-senator should travel from ST. Louis
to Washington city leaving behind him for publication an
article from his pen tissue OF misrepresentation
from beginning to end aud produce in Washington the
publication in support Of the haluenatons OF bis
fancy, which be hruss upon the public with so much per-
tinacty2
That Mr. Benton instrumental in the publication Of
the article the ST. Louis Democrat of April 9Th cannot
be denied aud his letter in the Intelligence proves the
fact yet be quotes 10 confirmation of the assertions in
his letter of the 10TH In other words his
exhausted Les eau1 Jasses chez iand he is COM
PEELED to manufacture city for his consumption in
another.
But let that pass for the present My business is
reply TO what he says in reference to the new Indian
war; on the Upper Missouri and North Platte; and al
though be had staked himself publicly the nonexisence
Of this war; verified his opinions 10y inquiries his
late visit Missouri assert without fear of contradiction
that Col Benlons statements contain but one single fact
which is the opposition of the traders in the Indian
try any interference with the Sioux the of his
sumptons the dstempered hallucinaons of his dis
eased fancy
But first what ia Colonel Benons aim in thus endeay-
orng nculcate false views in reference Indian affairs
the North Platte and Upper Missouri sea- bono p
The question is answered in few words,ha it is alone
crafty his insaate revenge and hatred Of the regular
army He goes about-s here ~ roaring lion seeking
whom he may devour' and there "augus in herba
ready to sting the reputation OF any who wears
~ x.
at home and abroad in the raicar the stagecoach he
cries:
A plague upon them
Would curses kill as doth the mandrake's groan
would invent as bitter searching terms,
As curst, harsh, and horrible to hear,
With full many signs Of deadly hate
As leanac'd envy in her loathsome cave.
ssAnd even now my burdened heart would break
Should not them.
And despite his selfgraulation that ahe, one among
millions is aborng TO preserve the inheritance of our
fathers tell him that when he takes it upon himself both
publicly and privately TO stab the fair fame Of officers of
the army, on any and every occasion.
Men that make
Envy and crooked malice nourishment
Dare bite the best"
But 10 my task assert that Col Bentons statements
regard the peaceful disposition of the Indians to the
whites the Upper Missouri aud Platte untrue is
true that those Indians hostile to the traders be-
cause without them they wouldhn difficult to live The
trader has become necessary TO the Indians the North
Platte and Upper Missouri the merchants TO the city
in which Won live. 1t is well known fact that without
these traders the Indians could with difficulty supply
themselves with points by which to obtain their
food and peltres much less supply themselves with
and ammunition with which to fight their enemies and
commit their depredaons upon peaceful white people, in
whom they have interest except TO rob them. Well
may the traders say there is warhere is
them for by them the Indians live. Well may they say
that the effect of war with the Sioux upon their trade
IA 49, aa1l tha ham al
aanswereth with voice. there but did they
tell Col Benton how many cmgrants mad been murdered
horses stolen and other depredations committed the
Upper Missouri and Platte during the last two years
Did they tell him that constant complaints Of depreda
tons and murders coming in by almost every mail
during the spring and fall of 1864, well up to the
present DATE the upper missouri anu tlatte These
are facts which Colonel Benton might have ascertaned
his late visit Missouri had he made his inquiries of per-
sons uUho cere bound under DC pert ef he (if Of
property ITO make istaketose best qualified 10 knouc
the truth" and who honorably interested to
speak the TRUTH the whole TRUTH and nothing but the
truth The Indian traders state facts when they say they
not afraid go among the Indians they have moth
ing fear from he unless occasionally seizure of their
goods crafty the immediate necessities of the Indian
and this drop from the bucket Of the trader and
Colonel Benton knows full well that when he this
gument to prove that the Sioux not hostile to the
whites he is raising false issue Let him inquire of Of
and 1854 and he win find out that the Sioux have rarely
missed opportunity to commit deprcdations the
property Of whites other than Indian traders whom az
have said before from necessity they regard part and
parcel of their nation Let him examine the reports of
dian agents, and Of officers of the army charged with
the protection of emigration the Upper Missouri and
Platte and he will find that his assertions made public
with much pertinacy, directly contrary to facts
If Col Benton would calmly, dispassonaely, and with
ont holy horror of the sword (which by the way
wont to lieutenant general the heads of
all the veterans OF the and attempt investigation of
the Laramie difficulty, he would ascertain the fact that the
reachery Of the Bear chief of the Sioux induced by
desire his part establish his influence the nation
which he had lost by his previous friendship for the whites
He says further Tho object of this communication gem
temen is TO endeavor prevent sesss war by show
ing to the public there is necessity for it, Now if he
had gone Council Bluffs to Sargents Bluffs or any
other point the Upper Missouri ascertain facts in
stead OF to Washington to promugae what he presumed
to be facts if he had placed himself in correspondence
with truthful and honest citizens in the Iowa. and
settlers in Nebraska the Upper Platte and Missouri he
would have heard that all emigration was checked and
likely 10 be during the summer that the citizens Ne
braska in constant danger they left the settlements
ten eleven miles; and he might have learnt further
that the intelligence of military expedition the Upper
Missouri and Platte the Indian war, be calls i'll
went glad tidngs of great JOY the honest settlers
who have gone there TO work TO become citizens of the
Territory and who unwilling that their blood should
flow for other purpose than advance the interests of