The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-01-31

An interesting meeting Of the Minnesota
Historical Society was held at the First Pres
byterian Church, on Friday evening last
Ex.Gov RAMSEY presided, and Rev. Mr..
MILL acted as Secretary.
After the usual preliminary business had
been transacted, Rev. Mr.. NELL presented TO
the Society on behalf Of g. W. ARMSTRONG,
ESQ. work by MosrrLAxBEnr, on for,ifea-
tious. This book wns found by an officer Of
our army, in the castle Of Chepultepec, in
Mexico. during the Mexican war.
DR.. WILEY presented large quarto edi-
ton (lsl2) OF BARCLAY dictionary.
The Committee on Building Lots made q
report through Rev. Mr.. Hsyr. The two lots
on Capitol Square, the Committee reported.
have been entirely paid for, and the title deeds
TO the property, are now in the possession Of
the Society. The Committee have already
commenced collecting money to erect build
ing, and hopes are entertained that through
the liberality Of citizens, a sufficient sum Of
money will be collected to commence building
operations in the Spring. The corner stone
Of the proposed ediflce, will be laid in June
next and arrangements are now being per-
fccted, TO secure the attendance at that time,
as orator. OF either GES. CAss, Mr.. BANCROFT,
or Col, BENTON.
An interesting conversational debate took
place in regard to the wane of British influence
among the Indians Of Minnesota, which was
participated in by Messrs. RAMSEY, NELL,
ROBERTSON, Foster and others.
Gov. RAMSEY suggested that when the work
on Fort Smelling was commenced, aud the con
sequcnt introduction Of a large number Of
American traders, soldiers, and laborers into
the Territory, British influence among the In.
dans, first commenced to decrease.
Dr. FOSTER referred TO the fact, that In lsO5,
when Lieut. PIKE visited the Upper Missssip-
pi. the Indians were completely under the in
fueuce of the British. They had in their pos
session English flags, medals, and other eTnblema
Of British sovereignty. Even the traders Of
the North. west Company, had British flags
hoisted u, their posts. PIKE changed ths,
and compelled the indians and traders to give
up their English flags, and accept those of the
United States. Notwithstanding this, how
ever, many of the Indians in the war OF 1912,
were induced by RESvILLE and Dickson. the
great Indian traders, to join the English forces
In that war, but two Dakotas were in the
American service, and they were employed by
Gen. CLARKE, then stationed ut ST. Louis, us
scouts, to inform him Of the condition and
movements Of tho Upper Mississippi Indians.
The names OF these two Dakotas are happily
preserved to us HAYrEpAx and TANAHAw.
The former is dead, but the latter is yet living,
and has in his possession the medals presented
to him by Gen. CLARKE. The st. Louis pa
pers Of lsl2-l3-l4 contained frequent notices
Of the arrival in that city Of the one-eyed in.
dian " (TANAHAw) with news from the Upper
Mississippi. The Indians, after the war was
ended, became thoroughly disgusted with their
late allies, the British on account OF their de-
sertion by them. and the neglect OF John
Bulls agents TO fulfil the scores OF promises
they had made, to secure the services Of the
Dakotas. American traders soon entered irto
competition with the British and the influence
OF tho latter with the Dakotas speedily began
TO decrease.
An interesting discussion also took place, rs
to the Indian village Of Red Wing, Some Of the
members Of the Society contcnded it was
founded by portion Of Wabashaw's band
who separated from the main body of the band
owing to the III treatment Of an Indian, who
in preference to joining the British and the 10.
disns when they united against the Americans,
allied himself to our own countrymeu. Dis
gusted with the i'll treatment the Indian re.
ceivel at the hands Of a portion Of Wabashaw's
band, on his return, many Of the band seeded.
and located at Red Wing. These occurrences
must have taken place during and after
WANTS. campaign. when British influence
was very active Ia the Northwest, as Lieut.
PtkE records the existence Of an Indian village
a, Red Wing, when he passed that point in
1905.
Judge DAILY Of New York. and T. d
MASsFIELD. Esq Of Cincinnati, were elected
Corresponding Secretaries Of the Society. fcr
the respective cities in which they reside.
An interesting letter was received from Mr.
YorSe. Q member OF the Vermont Historical
Society, containing many valuable suggestions
in regard to the best plan Of operations.
LoSoFnLows Havana was discussed
by DR., FosrKs. and Others, and although it
received great praise for correctness, so far in
advance Of any preceding work on the Indians,
yet various inconyruities were pointed out
such. FOR instance, as introducing the customs
Of the pAko,as a. existing among the Glib
ways
The next lecture before the Society. will be
delivered on Friday evening next, by Hon. II.
II. SIslKY, on most interesting subject, viz:
the early white settlers Of Minnescta