Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-26
From The 81. Joseph MOI Gazette Of April o.
From the western wiIderness.

l.
From the Western wilderness.
Our distinguished fellow-ctizen and former
representative Col. A. j. Vaughan, arrived in
our city on Saturday, direct from Fort Pierre.
| Col. Vaughan is one Of the most efficient,
energetic, and indefatigable Indian agents in
the West. In conversation with him we have
learnt the following interesting facts in regard
to our relations with the Indians and Gen.
Harney's movements among the Sioux:
Col. Vaughan left Fort Clark for Fort Pierre
on the 3lst December and arrived at the latter
place on the I'd Of February, travelling the
whole distance through SHOWS of every magma
BILE depth the thermometer ranging from twenty
hive to thirty-six degrees below zero, with snow
falling during the entire trip. The hardships
he endured and the hazards he run from cold
and hostile Indians are almost incredible.
The following are the various tribes of The
Sioux nation embraced in his (the Upper Mis-
| souri agency: Twokette, numbering 1000;
Yanctonies, 1000; Yanctons, 5000; Black.
feet, LOO; Uncapapas, 2,400; Sansarc, 1900 !;
Menecongues, 1000; and Brulies, 1900
amounting in the aggregate to 10000, much
smaller number than has generally been sup
posed. These figures are reliable, MS the
Soiohci mas tdhcH souit pdinS 10 OBTAIN correct
statements.
A general council of these tribes was called
by Gen. Harvey, and was attended by all except
three tribes. The Indians have become con-
WINGED that Gen. Harvey will not triae with
them, that they must submit to such terms as
he may dictate or have the most sanguinary
punishment visited upon their heads. They
entreated Col. Vaughan in the following terms
to intercede for them, and protect them from
the vengeance which they are convinced would
fall upon them if Gen. Harvey could not be
turned from his purpose to chastise them for
the many outrages committed upon American
citizens. We give the exact words as inter-
preted to Col Vaughan:
Father we have heard you were coming.
We have been looking and looking, and you
have come. Our hearts are glad. You see us
with pale faces and heads bowed down. When
the child is in distress he flies to his father.
Do tell as how we must act to be saved We
now plainly see that the advice you have so
often given us was good we should have taken
it, but now fear it is too late. You told us
soldiers would come to fight US if we did not
take our great fathers advice but we closed
our ears and would not listen. But our eyes
are open, and we now see and are satisfied.
You have not been talking TO us with forked
tongues. Many of your red children have
treated you badly, and you have cause TO COM
plain and be angry. Your heart must be good,
for we never saw you angry; neither did we
ever come with empty hands but what filled
them We now know your arm is strong and
your heart big. Do, father, plead our cause
The big chief of the soldiers, father, is an awful
man. When he speaks to US he makes us
tremble."
Upon this humble entreaty General Harvey
agreed to grant them peace by the Blackfeet'
and Uncpaps surrendering to him five of the
ringleaders of each of their tribes, to be dealt
with at his discretion. Colonel Vaughan thinks
that the Indians are instigaled by villanous
white men, and that the sacrifice of this num-
Der, and the expulsion of these men from the
Indian tribes, together with the total extermi-
nation of the Yanctonie tribe, for whom, on
account of their outrageous conduct, he would
not ask mercy, will restore peace to the whole
Sioux nation. The Yanctone band, whom it
is expected General Harvey will sweep from
the face of the earth, have been the boldest
and most cruel of the Western Indians, and
during the past winter have offered all kinds
of indignities to Colonel Vaughan, their agent,
threatening his life on different occasions, and
in some instances actually offering violence to
his person. The terms which General Harvey
has prescribed to the other tribes were to be
complied with in sixty days.
Colonel Vaughan, and in truth all who are
acquainted with General Harvey and his
vigorous action in the last campaign, are
enthusiastic in his praise. To use Colonel
Vaughan's Own language, he has produced
more terror and CONSERVATION among the
Indians and their iendish coadjutors than was
ever thought or dreamed Of before"
Accounts from Fort Laramie to 18th OF
March states that news had been received
direct from General Harvey. He had made
peace with the Sioux Indians, except one band
Of the Yanctonies, numbering eighty lodges.
The Pavnees and Sioux are to make peace
Immediately. The Cheyennes, Arrapahoes,
and Pawnees are also soon to smoke the pipe
Of peace. This will insure a general pacifica.
ton of almost all the tribes east Of the noun
tains and south Of the Missouri. Among the
provisions in the treaty concluded by General
Harvey is one which stipulates that the Indians
shall keep off the road, an important step to.
wards preventing future collisions.
The Florida Indians.
Governor Broome, Of Florida, passed through