The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-06-17

young girl, sixteen or seventeen years old
into captivity. These captives, with the
exception Of Mrs. Whitney, who WAS killed
in crossing the Big Sioux few days after
the massacre, suffered for the three months
the horrors Of an Indian captivity, such a.
have not been known up 10 that time 10 our
history, since the war Of 1872 While il
was the duty Of the Government TO protect
this frontier and 10 send their troops 10
retake th,se captiys, the troops were order
I'd from Fort Kdgely, within sixty miles Of
the scene Of this massacre, and from Fort
Smelling, within one hundred and twenty
miles, " Kansas, 10 protect the constitution
al convention, which sat there during the
summer, against the indignation OF an out
ragged people, and this frontier WA loft with
but thirty % diers at Fort Ridgely; and the
women who were carried into captivity had
10 be rescued by the settlers who assembled
and took steps 10 ransom them. Mrs Mar.
bic was bought by friendly INDIAN, and
brought back 10 the white settlements. Miss
Gardner was purchased from the Yanktons
who had purchased her from Ink pa-du-ta his
company.
Now, Mr.. Chairman it Is due TO these
men who have thus protected the frontier,
and rsrsUIned IRON the savagts American
citizens who had been carried into captivity,
and whom it was the duty OF the Govern
mcnt TO have protoetcd-lt is due 10 them
that this amount should he paid. II il
doubly the duty Of the Government when il
has military force stationed on the frontier
for its protection, il they withdraw that
force from the scene Of such disasters VA that
at Spirit Lake, aud send them TO distant
part Of the Confedoracy for any purpose, to
indemnify the citizens whose homes have
been destroyed, and whose families have been
carried into Indian captivity by reason Of the
negligence Of the Government, for the ran.
SON that they have paid for the captives.
These persons were In captivity for three
months, and had been carried of before this
order was given 10 remove the troops, and
the Government never raised its arm 10
bring them back, or TO shield the settlements
on the frontier Of Minnesota. Under these
circumstances, the Indian agent. by the ad.
vice Of tho Governors OF Minnesota and
Iowa, hired these Indians to 90 and ransom
the captives and bring them back Two Of
the captives had been murdered by tho In.
dians, but the other two were brought back
and this appropriation Is to refund the mo
ncy advanced To pay the ransoms.
Mr.. WGhburne, OF Illinois. | under.
stand there Is no opposition to the original
proposition. am opposed to the amend
ment, and ask for vote upon it.
Mr.. Marshall, Of Kentucky. There was
one suggestion made by the gentleman from
Pennsylvania, which want to understand
Did understand the gentleman to say that
there was an obligation on the part OF Gov
ernment to indemnify these citizens Tor their
los~sl
Mr.. Grow. oh, no this Is not Ia indem
nifty the citizens Tor their LOSSES, but to pay
the ransoms which had TO he paid for these
females who were carried into Indian cap
tivity. ! now withdraw my amendment.
The amcndmcn, proposed by Mr.. Phelps
Of Minnesota, was agreed to.