Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1857-03-28
A Correspondence Of the Times.
s s Wahpatsn and Sissiten Dakstas.


which might have been prevented if the provis-
ions Of the treaty by which they coded their hunt-
ing grounds had been faithfully complied with by
the officers of the United States. BY the commits
sioners who made that treaty they were promised
supply of domestic animals-hogs and cattle
at least sufficient to enable them to commence
raising stock. But nothing of the kind has as
vet been done, though of the civilization fund
from which such supplies were to be furnished.
there can hardly be less than $4,000 now due
them. Their Reservation contains no buffalo,
elk, deer or bear, and few, II any raccoons, anu
the fish, muskrats and minks which they are able
to take in winter, afford them very inadequate
supply of animal food for this cold climate. Their
traders have furnished them with some tallow
and pork but the supply of these articles has
not been equal to the demand. though the price
at which they must of necessity be sold here at
ter being hauled two hundred miles from st.
Paul, il such that these Dakotas could not have
the means of purchasing one-tenth of what they
need to ssseason" their corn and potatoes. AS
they advance in civilization, they feel less dispos-
cd to hunt. They did not move off to hunt at q
distance, last fall, as they have been accustomed
to do. But in December their hunger for animal
food became so great thai large number OF men
and q few women started for the woods, pear the
head of Crow River, in search Of deer and bear.
They we're absent from six to eight weeks of the
seversst weather known here for more than TWEEN
ty years had wide stretches of prairie to cross,
and owing to the great depth Of the snow and al
most incessant storms, got scarcely meat enough
to sabsist on during their absence. Thcy met
and, they say, made peace with their old enemies
the Chippewas. They say the white settlers, OF
| whom they saw many, received them kindly, but
| appeared to be scarce of food and suffering from
cold as well as themselves. They doubtless suf-
fered much, and some of them returned with feet
| slightly frosted; but except grandson OF the
chief, boy Of eight or ten years, who lost his
life by running under tree which some women
were Telling for fuel they all rstprned and what
is more remarkable, considering the ggsat dspth
| Of the snow-from two to three feet on an aver
| age-they brought home their horses.
Some may feel disposed to ask why these Da-
kotas cannot purchase and keep cattle as we'll as
! horses. The chief though not the only reason is,
with the promised security of person and proper
| ty, and cattle appear more exposed to the depre-
dations of the lawless, than any other SPECIES Of
property. OF less than dozen owned by the Da-
kotas of this neighborhood last summer, one man
lost two, which were all he had. Cattle are so
insecure that the Dakotas feel not much dispos-
| ed to purchase them until there is some law to
punish those who destroy them, and very few cat
tie have ever been offered for sale in this neigh
borhood. They now baye several cows, pur-
chased since they received their Lest annuity, and
| several yoke of oxen purchased previous to thas
| time; and as soon as they can feel assured that
those who destroy their cattle will be made to pay
tor them, many will expend considerable part
Of their cash annuties in purchasing cattle.
hope none will suppose that, in charging the
suHssings Of the Dskotas upon the officers of the
United States Government, am finding fault
with the agent for the Dakos,s. Major Murphy
always expressed himself as desirous Of expend-
ing their education and civilization funds, as fast
Us they became due. After he knew that his
successor was appointed, and was expecting daily
| to be relieved, he told me that he had always
been opposed to suffering these funds to accumu-
late. lie said he had made many acquisitions for
money which be knew was due these Indians,
which were not answered, and that this was the
reason why less than half their civilization fund,
and no part of their education fund, had been
| expended. The Hon. Mr.. Flandrau seems not
less DESTROYS and more successful than Major
Murphy in his efforts to give the Dakotas at an
early day the benefit of these funds. He has al
ready got hold Of part Of their education fund,
and many logs are cut and hauled to the mill to
maze Lumber for erecting a house for manual
labor boarding school, tho ensuing summer. 1t
is hoped also that bis knowledge of law and law
making, and Of the situation Of the Dstotas, will
enable him to digest such system Of laws as may
be enacted by Congress, and will afford the Da-
kotas the security of person and property prom
Used them in the treaties Of 1851. Should he ac-
complsh this, he will have lasting claim on the
gratitude Of the Red Men and such as feel an in
| terest In their welfare. Yours Respectfully,
THOS S. WILLIAMSON.