The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-03-27

from the Treasury of the State TOR defraying
the expenses of that "war." We have no
right to do any such thing; we have no right
l say, to pay expenses properly belonging to
the Indian Department of this State. 1t is
we'll known that the United States have q
Superintendent of Indian Affairs, at salary
of $500 per year, and that the duties of
that officer are in no way connected with the
duties of Governor. 10 interfere-to act in
the matters that belong to the Indian De-
partments is beyond the pr0Uince of this Legis-
lature. We might as well attempt to inter-
fere in the Indian wars of Florida; and to
pass an appropriation to pay the cost of this
foolish expedition will be an injustice to our
constituents.
| My name has already been used in connec-
| ton with this matter, on account of the
speech made in the Senate in January, when
the memorial to Congress was under debate
at that time-and ask the privilege of being
heard upon these famous Indian expeditions,
briefly as the circumstances of the case will
admit.
| When that Memorial to Congress [asking
an appropriation to defray the expenses of
the Spirit Lake and Sunrise Expeditions
was under discussion on the floor of the Sen
ate Chamber l was called upon by men,
bers of this Senate to give them information
as to the business of this Memorial and Elk
petition. l gave such information as I had
received from the settlers Oh Washington
Prairie. l have since conversed with some
of those same settlers, and they more than
confirm every statement l made here ON that
occasion.
The Hon. Representative from Ramsey, in
| 10 bo %Io 4
81 hurl back the charge in the teeth of him
who uttered it, and defy him to the proof"
| will here but rciterate those remarks which
1 verify believe were founded on facts of
which the proof can be obtained. The Hon.
gentleman said that whisky could not be had
there-go and ask those farmers what at
tracted those Indians to Washington Prairie
if it was not whisky, which they did get and
the result of which is felt in all our border
settlements where the Indian roams All
the trouble that arose there was caused by
this hellish 'fre-water," whisky. 1t is
laughable, it is absurd for the Hon. member
to say whisky could not be had, and that
both the troops and Indians did not procure
it.
There was another foolish expedition also
sent into Chisago County, as some of you
will remember, in 1852, under Lieut.. Magru-
der, of the q. S. A. This terminated in in
gloriously shooting fleeing Chippewa in the
back, killing him, and bringing back captive.
And what good was done none, and
worse than none, because it only aggravated
those Indians against the whites. The two
expeditions will do to place on record toge-
ther, as a blot and stigma upon US. 1 am Op-
posed to all such things.
And now let us look at the schedule of
expenses for this expedition to the Sun
rise, which lasted actually, six days, though
pay is claimed for ten The brave troop
| started out on Monday and returned on Sat
urday. The remaining four days for which
the men draw Sc per diem, they were at their
homes in the city. in their workshops earning
wages, or loafing in the armory For the six
days of the expedition, then, high rate for
horse-hire would be $15. So each man on
this expedition, these sefsacriicing patriots,
will receive a nett profit of $45, for their
weeks frolic.
1t cost $3.50 nearly, to provision this COM
pany while out, or nearly - per day for each
man $5l.5O to provision the horses, and
$3.50 for horse lost. The expedition was a
sickly one apparently, as the medicines
cost over 81 to each man Poor fellows
Equipments" cost $1,000, aud Armory
bill,' $43.lO. How comes it, l ask, that
this company had not their equipments and
armOry weapons always in order was theirs
merely HOLIDAY boys company $65 ap-
pears in the mortuary account, for graves and
collins, the saddest item of all. Their pris-
oners were costly too-three prisoners-I be-
lieve-costing for board, ETC. $48.8O. Well,
brave warriors are always humane to their
captives.
three thousand dollars. Are we to incur
Legislature has made provisions for such
claims. If we pay this one, there will be a
hundred others equally just, crowded in on
us, to the extent probably of 100000. l
ask you, Mr. President, who have been an
Indian Agent, to sustain me in this declara-
ton. The claims should be presented to
agents of the Department of Indian Affairs,
and if allowed, must be taken from the an
nuities of the tribe On whose account the ex-
penses were incurred.
Mr.. VAN ETTEN thought that as the
order calling out the Company emanated
from the Commander in Chief of the State, it
should bear or assume the expenses of the
expedition. lie quoted numerous instances
to show that this was the Gust omary usage
in other States. He referred also to the
"Magruder Expedition" in 1852, showing it
was justified by the circumstances.
Several other members spoke on the
amendment, at some length.
Mr.. HUDSON moved division of the
question, which was had
The amendment relative to the Spirit
Lake Expedition was adopted.
The amendment relative to the Sunrise
Expedition was lost.
The vote on the Spirit Lake Expedition
was reconsidered, and on the second vote
lost.
BILLS READ THIRD TIME AND PASSED.
| A bill relating to Judicial sales of real es-
tate-Yeas 90.
! A bill relative to the organization of Su-
preme and District Courts, their powers and
duties.
| Bill No. 155, S. T. An act in addition to an
act prescribing rnles and regulations for the
execution of the trusts arising under the act
of Congress entitled can Act for the relief
ofcitiZenS of towns upon the lands of the
United States under certain circumstances,
approved March Sd, 1c55.
"A iHCiHOil~i W NOiiSiCoo W OCiIdJ tuC CA
penses Of the Territory for certain purposes.
Also, a memorial to Congress to defray the
expenses of certain expeditions against hostile
Indians.
The Senate then took recess until q
O'Clock.
HOUSEHOLDS met, and was called to
order by the Speaker.
Mr.. GROVER, one Of the Capitol Remov-
al Commissioners arose to question of pri-
vlegc, stating that the report of the minori
ty Committee in regard to the payment of the
salaries of the Commissioners, had done him
injustice, in stating in their report that he
had received deed for twelve lots in the
town of st Peter in consideration of his loca-
ting the Capitol building at particular point.
He said he did receive the deed for the lots
| from the st. Peter Company, but it was not