The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-01-15

a., 0uo' - VI sno WHitary fOrcc OF Z,VUV men,
wnlcn guarded our extended line of frontier
were unavailing to prevent these depredations
Inc prompt and vigorous cooperation OF the
State authorities was necessary to arrest sec.
Ond depopulation Of our frontier counties.
corps of State scouts was organized to track
these savages to their hiding places, and In or
der to enlist the inhabitants of the menaced dis
trict in their extirpation, arms were issued to
them, and reward of twenty-five dollars, az
forwards increased to $780, was offered for ev-
cry hostile Sioux warrior killed.
These measures (for details of which beg
to refer you to the report Of the Adjutant Gen.
eraD were efiectual in clearing the State OF hos
tile Indians Of the small party of invading
Sioux, nine were killed by citizens or soldiers
Among the first of the Indians who PAID the
penalty of their atrocities was Little Crow, the
leader and master spirit of the Sioux outbreak
who was killed by Nathan LampsOn and his
son near Hutchinson. I submit to your con-
sideration whether the brave men, who were
instrumental in Kidding the earth Of this mon
ster, and who have been reduced to penury by
the Indian raid, are not entitled to some reward
commensurate with the service named.
1t may be hoped that the disastrous result of
this incursiOn will prevent any attempt of the
kind in future. But it would be dangerous aud
fool hardy, to act upon any such presumption.
The fact that several thousand Indians are con-
gregated at points near our western boundary,
to whom murder is glory and pillage a neces
sity, the facilities which in spite of ordinary
military precautions the immense extent of our
frontier affords for sudden and secret descents
upon orr settlements, and the incalculable mis-
chief which even one desperate miscreant lurk-
ing in the woods and grass can inflict warn us
to omit or relax no preparations which have
been found necessary for the protection of the
exposed districts. The counsels and experience
of the able and energetic soldier who is TO sue
coed me, will prove If inestimable service to
the State, in providing for the exigencies of the
| frontier, and to him gladly remit the subject.
| In this connection, may be permitted to
suggest the propriety of building q State
Armory. The history of the past two years
has demonstrated the necessity, particularly in
| border State, of permanent repository of
State arms. and it can hardly be questioned
that it would be better economy to erect a
building for the purpose, than to continue the
| extravagant rent we are now paying for an in
convenient and unsafe place. may here men
ton that the State Historical Society has offered
to convey to the State, for that purpose, the
excellent site and the foundation of the build
ing they once designed erecting near the Cap
itol, on condition OF reserving a room for
| their own USE The proposition is submitted
to your favorable consideration.
During the past year the people of the
Southwestern part of the State were relieved
and an important step was taken to secure the
peace and prosperity of that part of the State,
by the removal of the Winnebago Indians.
who, with the remnant of the Sioux were
taken to new reservations on the Missouri.
The residue of the condemned Sioux were
taken in the spring to Rock Island, where
these viOlators and murderers of our women
and children are now being fed and housed, in
comfort and safety, by the Government.
In the fall an important Treaty was concluded
by Senator Ramsey, with the Red Lake and
Pembina bands of Chippewas. by which the
| Tndt %,
square miles of territory, embracing the Ameri-
can valley OF the Red River and leaving but a
small, and, to white men, worthless fragment
of land now owned by Indians in this State.
By this Treaty another prolific source of Indian
difficulties has been removed. The navigation
OF the Red River, and the valuable and growing
commerce with the Hudson Bay Company set
Elements, which passes over the coded lands,
have been freed from the instructions and dan.
gers arising from the pretensions of these Indi-
ans to the ownership of the soil pretensions
which have heretofore led to serious depreda-
tons and menaced grave disturbances in the
future.
Congress last winter passed an act providing
for the partial compensation of the sufferers by
the Indian outbreak. The Chairman of the
Commission appointed by the President to ex-
anime and audit the claims of the sufferers
Hon. Cyrus Aldrich. informs me that the claims
presented and filed up to September LIST. num-
bered 2, $40, and amounted to 80. 458, OOO
The awards of the commission on claims
proved up and audited, amounted to $780,.
374, of which 5000, 200, the sum already appro-
priated by Congress, has been paid out to some
1900 sufferers deemed entitled to immediate
relief Although the commission has been in
| defatigable in its arduOus labOrs, the work is
| not yet completed, but this statement reveals
the extent OF the actual depredations committed
by the Indians on property alone. though fall
ing far short of exhibiting the indirect suffer
ing and loss occasic ned by the outbreak.
| That portion of Minnesota which borders on
Lake Superior, embracing the counties of Carl
ton, st. Louis and Lake, abounds in precious
ores, and has interests peculiar to itself which
deserve the fostering care of the Legislature.
Mining companies are operating there with
good prospects OF success. In the last appor-
tiOnment these counties were grouped with
Stearns. Morrison, etc. on the upper Mississip-
| pi to form the Third District, which sends one
| Senator and three Representatives. The great
preponderance of the latter in population de.
| prives the former of any representation from
their own citizens in the Legislature and their
| geographical isolation from the of the District
prevents their participating inteligently in
| elections. while the votes they cast are some
| times received at the senior county, too late to
| be counted. 1t Isl matter of importance to
the State, as well as to the population of this
locality, that the INN ediate and peculiar inter-
| ests OF that vast and rich mineral and lumber
| sells by some one well, and personally acquaint-
! ed with the local geography, and physical for
| nation and resources Of the country.
/ submit to you whether any relief can be
| afforded by your legislation in the premises,
No astronomical observations have ever been
| taken to determine the latitude and longitude
OF st. Paul, and its exact geographical position
has never been ascertained nor correctly given
| in published maps.
1t is time that point SO interesting to
| science. concerning this point and the principal
cities of the Northwest should be established
Col. j. d. Graham, of the United States En-
| gineer Corps, stationed at Detroit. M,cbigan.
generously offers to visit the city with two as.
si'tants for the purpose of making OBSERVE
tons necessary to obtain the information mon
the payment Of their actual travelling expenses.
which cannot be charged to the United States
recommend an appropriation for the bur.
pose. Pun
deem it not only proper for me. but NV
duty to recommend that you increase the com.
pensation now allowed by law to your Gov
ernor and Commander-inC Oh ef. The Office ia
one at all times attended with heavy cares and
| responsibilities and in a crisis lila th;s :.t