The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-11-26
BORDER LIFEIN MINNESoTA.


Perhaps some Of our readers may have
seen CARVER or SCHooLCRAFrs Travels. II
they have, it may be that they know, albeit
neither Of the books is worth brass pin as
authority, that the Chippewa and Dakota
tribes have waged war against each other
30 long that the origin of their hostility is
beyond the ken Of man. General PIKE per-
suaded them to make peace in 1900, but it
lasted on y till his back was turned. The
agents for the Government have brought
about several treaties between the tribes, in
which forgiveness and friendship for the fu
ture. were solernnly promised. Indian here
ditary hate is stronger than Indian faith
and these bargains were always violated AZ
soon as opportunity occurred. Neverthe
less our Executive gave orders in 1 80 that
general congress Of all the belgerent tribes
on the frontier should be held at Prairie du
Chen. They iiocked to the treaty ground
from all quarters, TO see the sovereignty or
majesty I'VE know not which is the better
word OF the United States, ably represented
by Governors Cass and Clark, who acted as
Commissioners.
The policy of the United States on this
v'Nh,f'tI WhS bI an tIIOI IL SUR
posed that the qlarre Of the Indians were
occasioned by dispute concerning the
boundaries Of theis respective territories. -
Never was treaty followed by more unlap-
py results, al least as far as il concerned the
Dakotas
They concurred in the arrangement Of
their boundaries proposed by the Commits
Sioners, ia they 10 in every measure proposed
by an American officer. thinking that com
pulsion would otherwise he used. But they
were not satisfied. nor had they reason 10
be, for their ancien, limits were grievously
abridged. 4 Il the Indians present had. or
imagined they had another cause of com.
olant. They had been supplied with food.
while the congress lasted, bv the United
States, a. was the reasonable practice for
they cannot hunt and make treaties nj one
and the same time. Dysentery snprvened
on the change of diet. Some died on The
Zrodn+'. and sfcis many 'c.iehs3 Oh the
way from Prairie do CHEN 10 their hunting
grounds. Away suspicious oi the whites,
they supposed that their food hal been
poisoned the arguments Of their traders
could not convince them Of the contrary, add
~ Vf' IN lHil bti9tI.
Moreover, they did not receive such pres
en's as the British agents had been wont to
b'siow 90 them, and they complained that
such .tlngiGeSs was beneath the dignity Of a
great peopie, ami that 1t also showed a man
fest disregard 81 their pecessiiies. They
were especially indignan, a, being stnicd ~
whiskey II behoyed the commissioners.
indeed, 10 avoid tie appearance Of etFcting
any measure OF bribery, but tie barbarians
did not view tie matter in that light. To
show them tia, the liquor was 10, withheld
on account o. IFS value, tao barrels were
brought upoa the ground. Each da:ky
couE'enance vas instantly Illuminated with
Joy al IN, agreeable prospect bEt they were
20 earn that there il sofuttIpes slip br.
tween the cup and the lip. Each lower Jaw
dropped al least Tx inches whgn one Of the
Commissioners STAYED in the heads Of the
casks with ar axe. " II xas q great pity
said old Wakhpasooiay, speaking ci the Oc-
c1rreDce, i was grea, pity There Was
enough To have Kept ne drunk 81 tie days
Of my lif. Wakhpakooiayis only feeling.
sore grief anil aston shmen, bat moe, Of his
fellows though, that tbs making a prcm;-r
10 tie eyc IN Order - break II to the r:s,~e
va- = gries "a. is.alt, aud 10 they coniipue
TO regard / 10 this day
TIE De1' year. . small party Of Chippe-
was came 70 :, Peters, laboa, which there
are four Dako.a village ca pr;enoe u
ossiless with their father TIE agent. bat
10 reality 10 beg ammunition. clothln-, And.
above all. strong drink. The Dakotas .0on
gathered aooat ,be place xith frowns %
iLeir aces AID gRfs IN their hsn.is. New
sriAeiess, thfc Of ,be Chippwas ycnisrsi
70 visit the Columbian ~ Cgapany trad
. L L 4. Z :.