The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-31
The Sioux Among the Backfeet-Indan
Loyalty to the Government
WHITE WOMEN OFFERED IN TRADE.
"Little Black Bear" and "WOman's Breast
A Friendly Act-Local IrritatiOns.
HOUSE, or Commons,

of the Northwest Mounted Police. As l mentioned in
that letter. this body OF consists Of but 800 men,
yet they practically do the work of the entire Western
army OF the United States, and more, for they
prevent liquor traffic among the Indians, make Gus
toms collections arc arbiiors between the tribes In
case OF dispute, and, In a word, maintain order in
Wild reson that embraces hundreds Of miles All this
n a cost OF less than s35O.Ooo year.
CANADIAN PRECAUTIONS.
Il may DO said parcnthetically that in consequence
Of the Indians the Territory OF Montana bong on
gagged during tho summer In conflict with the United
States troops 1t was considered necessary as pre-
cautionary measure, TO increase the force at Forts
Macleod and Walsh Cypress Hills); 100 men wore
accordingly ordered there from the northern posts.
Four scven FOUNDER guns we're also purch ased from
the Militia Department and forwarded, together with
supply Of ammunition, to Fort Walsh. Two nine-
FOUNDER Held guns had previously been supplied to
Fort Macleod The massng Of the force at these posts
near the frontier doubt secured tranquility IN that
section Of the Territory and prevented the American
Indians from using Canadian soil as base Of opera
lions for prosecuting the with tho United States
troops.
Inspector Denny says:-"Accordipg to orders to
proceed to the Backtoot camp Tor the prisoner Ma.
aya,' left Bow River and found
THE BLAcKvxEr
camped about thirty miles above tho mouth Of Red
Deer River that being about two hundred miles north
east OF Elbow RIVER Aftor having secured the pris
oner was detained In camp by council called by the
principal Blackfoot chiefs, who invited me to their
meeting They told mo that they were very glad we
had arrived, at that time they were in worry un
settled state owing communications that had passed
between the Blackioot nation including Blood Indians
and Piegans, and tho Sioux from across tho limo
About month ago the Sioux sent message 10 the
Iackf not m w "A of tobacco. which the
Blackioot chief showed me. Tho messenger told the
Blacktect from the Sioux that the tobacco sent
them to smoke II they were willing to come across the
line and join tho Sioux in lighting the Crow Indians
and tribes with whom they were at war; and also
tho Americans whom they werc lighting at the Same
timc Tho Sioux promised 10 give the Backfoet, II
they would join Them plenty Of horses and mules they
had captured from the Americans They also told the
Blacktect that they had
PLENTY WHITE WOMEN
whom they had taken prisoners. and they promised
give them to the Blackieet If they would join them
They also told the Backeet that, IL they would como
70 help them against the Americans, after they
bad killed all tho whites they would come and
JOIN the Blackicet to extermnate the whites this
SIDE They also told him that soldiers this side
wore weak and that It would take them but short
limo to take any that they had built here. they
had takcn many strong stone from Americans
at small loss TO themselves Tho Blackeet had sent
answer 10 the Sioux short time before arrived to
the ecct that they could not smoke their tobacco on
such terms, and that they were not willing to make
peace with the understanding Of helping them to fight
the whites ns they their friends and they would
not light against them The messenger from the
Backfect 10 the Sioux had just returned when got
to their camp with the answer the Sioux had sent
They said that, they would not como and help
them against the Americans, they would come ovcr
10 this side show the Blackicet that white soldiers
we're nothing before them. and that alter they had
ExrERMINArED SOLDIERS
and taken their forts they would como against the
Baektcct In consequence of this message the Black
foot nation, when reached their camp, were in q
state of uncertainty, not knowing how TO act Grow
Foot tho head chief OF tho Blackfeot, was author.
lied by the nation, all OF whom were present. TO ask
me whether they were attacked by the Sioux,
without themselves being the aggressors, and called
upon US for tho mounted police 10 help Them, we
would do | told them that, In case the Sioux
crossed the linc anu attacked the Backfeet, without
the Blackieet giving them any cause to do SO, wc
were bound nelp thcm they being subjects oil this
country ana having tue right OF protection as wen as
them said that they intended always in future to
be peace with the whites, and particularly with U.S.
that they the way we had dealt with them since
We had been in tho country and they were sure we
were their friends. The chief told me IN these words;
be said I'VE all SEQ that the day coming when he
buffalo will all be killed. and shall have nothing
more live on, and then you Will come into our camp
aud the poor Blackfect starving 4 know no
said that the heart Of the white soldier will BIO sorry
for u.s. and they will tell tho Great Mother VINO will not
let her children starvc' He said:-'We are getting
shut IN the Crees; coming into our country IRON
the north aud the white from the south and east
and they ali destroying our means oil living; but
still, although We plainly see these days coming,
WILL NOT JOIN THE SIOUX
against whites but will depend upon you to help
us. The chiet then told me that tho Backfeet had
told him to tell that We were willing TO help
them In tho event Of the Sioux attacking them
they would. in case Of being attacked, send 1000
warriors against the sioux thanked them ior thcir
told mo, and that long as they were quiet and
peaccabe they would always find us their friends aud
willing ythIng for their good. They expressed
treat satisfaction at all lad told them and promised
10 do nothing without letting US first KNOW and ask
Ing our advice: distributed some tobacco among
OF the Sioux to the north brought the prisoner
with mo without any trouble, and arrived here THIS
day."
THE VOICE OF THE GREAT MOTHER.
copy oil this report was forwarded by the Deputy
from whom tho following reply was received by HIS
ExcclcDcy the Governor Gencral:-
Il have the honor 20 acknowledge the receipt Of the
Deputy Governors despatch, enclosing report OF
Sub.Inspector Denny, OF the Northwest Mounted
Police, giving account OF recent VISIT 10 the camp
OF he Backfoot Indians have read Mr.. Dcnny's re-
port with much interest aud have communicated a
copy Of u to tho Queen.
.'Her Majesty has commanded me 10 instruct you to
inform the chiefs OF the tribe that Her Majesty has
heard with much satisacton oil their faithful conduct
In declining TO take up arms with the Sioux Indians.
and has been gratied by this evidence OF their
LOYALTY and attachment You Will urther apprisc
them that the Great Mother desires 70 assure them
that she has always taken, and Will continue TO lake.
lively interest In oil that concerns their welfare ana
trusts that nothing ut any time occur 10 disturb
the friendly relations existing between her Indian and
white subjects" ,
INSTRUCTIONS were given for the communication Of
this m essaac from Her Majesty to the Indians.
LOCAL LIMITATIONS
onc f the Indian officials states that the country be-
lveen the Cypress Hills and the Rocky Mountains,
which has hitherto bc,n claimed by the Backcet AS
their hunting ground, has this year been encroachcd
= ron Inv other indians and hail breeds, causing much
Irritation among the BlackIcct, who have called upon
The police 10 protect them IN maintaining their rights
10 their territory saying that they were not
inc Tho correspondence on this subject has
been submitted to the Lieutenant Governor OF the
Territories order that u may receive tho
alton of the Northwest Council " connection
with the adoption Of rules Tor hunting ana preserving
the buffalo from extinction inc following extract