The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-09-19
VOL. XIV.-NO. ID.
letter from rIajor L. j. Ga!braith.

From Inc 81. Paul Press, Saturday.
ST: PAUL. Sept. u, 1862.
II tie Eifor Of tie Saint Pau Daily Press.
In The 81. Paul Daily Press of this morn
ing there is an editorial article headed
Ihe Question Of Responsibility" in which
occurs the sentence following " You rais-
ed he question, Mr.. Agent. answer it :"
and " Who then is responsible? You have
raised the question, MIR. Agent, answer it
now if you dare = and " The Indian Agents,
through the organ which they have subsi-
died 10 represent them and other attaches
Of Cyrus Aldrich, have chosen to raise the
question of official responsibility in connec-
ton with the outbreak OF the Sioux They
have dared to raise the question, now let
them answer it."
New, who the Iudian agents and other
attaches OF Cyrus Aldrich are do not
know. But do know who "Dlr. Agent
is. It is my humble self, and "dare I"
answer it.
In the first place, then, l never, through
any newspaper, or organ," or otherwise,
raised the Question OF Responsibility above
referred to; nor have l any connection, di,
rect or indirect, with any organ or any
such question; nor had any knowledge in
regard to said Que tions of Responsibility
whatever.
l, therefore, as far as l am concerned,
pronounce the above quoted paragraphs
purely and simply imaginary and false. and
the writers and dlctators OF them calumni-
at0rs and fa!siEers.
In the same article occurs the following
''Familes perished from starvation. cold
and hunger, and inhuman neglect, while In-
dian traders and officials were growing fat
and insolent Oh the spoils pllaged from the
Indian.
Indian "families" are of course intended
above.
AS to Indian traders and other officials |
have nothing to say, They can do their
own business. As far as the paragraph
quoted refers TO me it is simply and purely
false.
assert this, and that too without subsi.
dizing, or even consulting with any one,
that l can prove that never at any time in
their history have the Sioux OF the Missss
sippi been better supplied with provisions,
clothing, implements, seeds and aids to
plant than during my administration nev.
er have their crops promised as well, and
never has an agent of theirs attended more
exclusively and faithfully to their wants. l
never neglected or forgot the words
of my charge. To their interest and well
fare every nerve was strained and devoted.
For the truth of this, and more, | refer to
every man and woman who possesses person
al knowledge of the facts.
For my conduct, as Sioux Agent, | am
responsible to the people OF the State and
country, and to the Government of the
United States and from that responsible
| ity have no desire to shirk.
| invite the fullest and strictest investiga
tion OF my every act and deed in connection
with the Agency, and pledge myself that
| never shall "subsidize" the committee or
gate my conduct as d public official. l
hail patiently abide the result without
her tear or trembling.
, \ our whole article appears to be la.
/ bored justification of the atrocities of the
savages, coupled with sort of covert de
fence OF somebody whom it would seem |
! have in, or through my "organ" charged
with being the cause OF the terrible Indian
outbreak As have said, | again reite-
( rate that never charged anybody with
/ being the cause of the outbreak, nor
Wonld l.
Therc is not only q cause but there are
causes; and nothing but searching, candid
/ and fathfal investigator can develop these
! causes. Let. that Investigation come, and |
shall ask that it be thorough aud radical
that it commence with the treaties of 1851
and be conducted, step by step, up to the
present time, and then, il myself Or any body
else is guilty, let an indignant people hang
the guilty villain or villains, be they whom
they may.
Again, this sentence occurs: Not till
a disturbance had already broken out at
Yellow Medicine did they ask Tor an lbs
crease of force" And then this: at was
sent them-every soldier there was, though
it lett Fort Ripley without a guard"
This is ueass to me. When UGs this, aut
how many soldiers were sent? This is ioggy
very, and needs some details. Shall the in
dgnant and outraged public have them
On the 10th day OF August, 1862, and aite
he had advice OF the difficulties at tn
Agency direct from me, Commissioner Doll
made the following requisltion on Governor
Ramsey:
OFFICE SUPERINTENDENT INDIAN AFFAIRS,
ST. PAUL, August l6, 1862
| SIR: have TO reque5t that you order thre'
! hundred troops to report to Thomas ). Gal
! braith. United States Indian Agent, at IeloV
| Medicine, at once, to preserve order and guar
! the Gov rnment funds at that place.
Very reSDectiuiiy your Obedent servant,
WILLIAM p. DOLE,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs.