The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-17
THE SIOUX MASSACRE.
Thrilling Adventures and ! Escape
y of Geo. Il. Spencer, Jr. ri o'a

CeuIly puUuSuou 10 OAi0 ASSF Q ~ 800.
of the Indian outbreak in Minnesota last
fall. embracing the message of the Presi-
dent upon the subject, a communication
from the Secretary of the Interior, the
report of Mr.. GALBRAITH, the Sioux Agent,
and the annexed statement of GEORGE II.
SPENCER, jr., of this city, whose sutferings
and remarkable preservation from death,
by his Indian friend, form one of the most
romantic incidents of the war. Secretary
USHER, in submitting his report, says: j.,
also beg leave to lay before you the accom-
panying statement, which was made to me
while in Minnesota in November last. by Mr..
GEORGE SPENCER, jr., who had resided among
the Sioux Indians for several years preceding
the recent outbreak, and was taken prisoner
by them, and held in captivity until released
with the other captives by General SIBLEY's
command. His intelligence, intimate acquaint-
ance with many of the Indians, his familiarity
with their language and ample opportunities
for observation, seem to render his testimony
desirable in search for the true origin of the
Sioux outbreak. and to entitle his opinions to
respect.
STATEMENT OF Mr.. SPENCER.
THE SIOUX WAR.
Ever since the treaty which was made
in 1851, with the nation of Dacotah or
Sioux Indians, they have been finding fault
and complaining that the government did
not strictly comply with the stipulations
of the treaty. While some of the causes
of these complaints have been imaginary,
there can be no doubt but that there has
been good grounds for others. In regard
to the management of affairs among the
Lower Sioux, where the recent outbreak
originated, / cannot speak knowingly, as
l have not resided among them since the
treaty went into effect. But among the
Upper Sioux, the Sissitons in particular,
with whom 1 have been engaged in trade
for the past two years, there has been
some cause for complaint on their part
have often heard Standing Buffalo,
the Sissiton chief, complain about the
whites not fulfilling their promises in re-
gard to the location of mills, schools, me-
chanics, physicians, &C., among his tribe:
1t is true that the lower bands enjoyed all
the advantages to be derived from these
sources, but as they were located at a dis
lance of nearly one hundred miles from
the villages and fields of the Sissitons,
they derived but little, if any, benefit from
them. 1t is too often the case, that the
parties who are employed by the govern
ment to hold councils, form treaties, &C.,
with Indian tribes, do not sufficiently un-
derstand the character of the parties with
whom they are negotiating; and, conse-
quently, although matters may go OFT
smoothly enough at the time, difficulties
are liable to arise in the future, the conse-
quences of which may be disastrous.
AS there are other savage tribes stand
ing in the same relations to the govern
ment to-day that the Sioux occupied pre-
vious to the instruction, it may be we'll
enough to examine infinitely one or two
points connected with Indian affairs,
which, if properly observed, may be the
means of preventing repetition OF the
cruel blow by other tribes which has been
so fearfully inflicted by the Sioux. In the
first place let us examine the Indian him.
self. What is an Indian?
Simple as this question may seem, yet
it is one that, in my opinion, is not thor
oughly understood by our officials and 9th
ers who have Indian affairs in charge. In
the great chain of nature the Indian is a
connecting link between the wild beast
and the human species. In shape he is
human and has the gift of speech, and to
limited extent the use of language. In al
most all his actions he seems to be guided
by instinct rather than reason; t. say
that he possesses no intellect might posi-
bly, be saying too much but if he does,
it seems to be so clOuded and Obscured
that it does not avail him much. Long
association with the whites has developed
in some of them the reasoning faculties,
and shown them to be possessed of some
little intelligence. So the same thing
may be said of some animals, whose per-
formances seem to be more the result Of
reason than instinct. The treachery ofthe
Indian is proverbial. Unaccustomed to
the comforts and luXuries Of a home, there
is in his language no word which answers
to our word home. Accustomed from in
fancy to witness scenes OF violence and
bloodshed, and, as soon as he can speak,
it is impressed upon his mind that the
greatest achievement he is capable of per-
forming is to dye his hands in the blood
of his fellOw-creatures, whereby he
may become entitled to wear a scalp
feather. He soon learns to take delight
in participating in the excitement of
the chase, and in following the war path
His passions being subjected to no re-
straint whatever, his imagination is con-
stantly taxed to invent some new mode of
torture to apply to the victim that may
have been unfortunate enough to fall into
his hands. The british propensities large
ly predominating, it requires but slight
provocation to cause him to turn his muir
derous weapons against his fellow-beings.
Poets my sing and romancers may write
as much as they will about the "noble
savage;" the "dignifed and majestic
bearing of natures nobleman 5" the "gen-
erous traits of character " possessed by
the sons of the prairies," &c. but dis
lance lends enchantment to the view, y
and after having been more or less init
mately associated with them for the last
ten years, have been unable to perceive
but very few of those noble attributes
which have been SO plentifully ascribed to
them There are some individual excep-
lions it is true; as you will find among
our own race persons who have been rear
ed pndor the hOly Influences of Christiani-