The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-04-15
Grant Brothers & Co.


The operations of this celebrated firm
in the Indian trade, on the upper Missouri
river, are related by correspondent of
the New York World, who writes from
Fort Rice, Dakotah territory. 1t will be
remembered that some time last sum-
mer, the distinguished member of the
firm who resides at Washington, and who
is supposed to be the proprietor Of the
United States government, gave to his
undistinguished brother, 0. S. Grant, the
exclusive privilege of trading at the In
dian posts on the Missouri Thereupon
the undistinguished but highly fortunate
Orvile-happy brother of the man who
enjoys the proprietorship of the govern
ment of the United States-took into the
family partnership one Bonotfen, of Phil
adelphia, Bonotfen furnishing capital and
the Grant Brothers furnishing what is
better than capital, their ''exclusive pri-
yileges" Bonotfen and Orvlle then HE'D
themselves to the scene of trade, well pro-
videa it seems, with government ambu-
lances and mules for their travel They
found one John H. Charles. of Sioux City,
pursuing, under a former license, the
business to which they had succeeded,
and with large capital invested in goods,
buildings and fixtures. MIR Charles, of
course, had to bow to the mandate OF the
great house of Grant Brothers Il Co.. and
retire from the field; but he succeeded,
n the correspondent states, in ctlectng
u contract with Orville and Bonoffen for
ibe sale to them of the goods and proper
ty On his hands This dose the new trad
ers pursued their inqulring journey, clear
ing the road before them as they Went by
procuring from the presidential Grant
prompt orders for the revocation of every
trading license at the various posts which
they found in their way. Having fully
surveyed the ground, they discovered
some reason, as it seems, to regret the
bargain they had made with Mr.. Charles
for the purchase of his business plant
They could do better, no doubt, BIZ throw
ing back upon his hands the property
which he had no power to use, and they
did so, with GOODNESS, repudiating the
contract which they had made and leay-
invested capital Of $50 900 rs best he
can
Other smaller traders have Jared in like
manner and the great firm of Grant Bro
theirs Il Co. gathers riches to itself out
of their ruin. But the biggest Of its en-
terpri5es has yet to be told We give the
story of il in the words Of the Fort Rice
letter:
III 1865 the Indians ceded to the United States
all lands on the east side Of the Missouri a
tract of land three times the size of MasSachll-
sets. and since then not less than one thousand
people have settled on this territory. NotWith-
standing this. however, the president, at the be-
ginning of the year, issued the following order:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, January IL, 1879.
1t i, hereby orlere that the tract CT country,
i'll the territory Of Dakota, lying within the toll
lowing described boundaries, viz:
Commencing on the east bank Of the Missouri
river where the forty-siXth parallel Of north
latitude crosses the same, thence east with said
parallel of latitude to the ninety degree of
west longitude, thence south to said degree of
longitude tG-the east bank of the Missouri river,
thence up and with the east bank Of said river
to the place OF begnning, nei anu ma tn me same
for the use Of the several tribes of Sioux In
d ti II an nnMon TO 'her Pfesen1 f ser
Thi. raa1s innocent,v epouyh Inf now for
the explanation. This order q the president,
n F ! H@s n' nd p", alas hr snc''ra aSo
ncee>sitates the election of all the settlers,