The sun., 1873-08-26
Aiming Hostile Indians.

A CORE, ,pondnt of the Tribune with
srASLEY's Yellowstone expedition, in
writing or the recent attack upon the
United States troops by eight hundred or
more Indians, says that the hostile sayages
are supposed TO have received their sup
plies from Fort Peck, on the Missouri,
famous trading post for Indians and un in
famous one FOR whites" This j. the prin-
cipal trading post of the firm OF DURFEE
\ PECK, aud has been made u military post
by act Of COugrvss.
II Is only q few days since a report was
received at the War Department from the
commanding officer OF military post on
the Missouri river, one thousand miles
from ST Louis, stating that n steamer pass
inEup the river illcn exclusively with the
Government annuity goods had on board
some two thousand Shapes rifles. The
boxes were marked hardware, and their
contents were invoicod as hatchets, SAWS,
hammers, and the like.
For n long time most scandalous stories
have been ia circulation about DURFEE y
PECK, who, It is sud, own hall the trading
posts ON the Missouri river. Last winter
printed circulars were distributed among
members of Congress and Others making
charges against this firm of the most scri-
Gus character. In these circulars IL was al-
legged with great particularly OF detail
that in opposition 20 the advice OF the
Board OF Citizen Commissioners private
contracts were made with DURTEE PECK
hy Secretary DELNNo for the trausporta-
ton Of al the Indian supple. on the Mis-
souri, river, and that this firm avaled
themselves of the opportunities thus af-
forded to overreach the Government to
an enormous extent. The names III vuri-
GUS steambont captains were given who,
it was said, would testify to their Illegal
proceedings.
The mode Of accomplishing these ALLEGED
fraud. is thus described ia one ut the cir
culars "lt was not cr uncommon thing
Tor "A boat t. start up the river from sioux
Ctyy with 80 or 800 tons for the different
| Indian posts ana discharge at the various
| posts one-half the cargo, getting receipts
! for the full amount called for ON the bill of
| ladiug, and carry the balance to the re-
! posltory nj Fort Peck. That il, these
/ contractors were charged with frequently
appropriating onc-half the Government
goods they were paid to transport, the
theft being effected through the CO.
operation of the Indian agents who were
authorized 10 receive the goods.
Asto the truth of these charges we have
no positive information, but considered In
connection with the recent disclosures IN
regard to smuggling brcech-loadug rifles
into Indian posts invoiced rs carpenter :
tools, it would certainly seem that they
are deserving of investigation by Congress
The rascalitics of the Indian Ring are 50
notorious that it would not be at all sur
prising even to learn that arrangement,
have been made for arming hostile Indian,
at Government expense with improved
firearms OF the most effective description
TO fight the whites, United states Officials
participating in the pruhts OF the infamous
tran ,aCtion.
We doubt, however, if any efreotual in
vestiPation viii be made by the newly
elected Congress into the doings of DUR
PEE x PECK, especially if the curreu
report is true according to which Score
tary DELANO's son JouN is Il partner in th
firm.