Year: 1866

WHEREAS 1t has been represented to by reliable
persons of them Acting Indian Agent for the Black
feet nation that the Piegans and Boods tribes of that
ton have recently been and STILL committing grieyous
depredaons in the ueighbohood of Fort Benton the
property of white settlers resident at that place and,


WHEREAS 1t has been alleged, the same authority,
that been perpeated in the vicinity of that
place also in other localities by the said Pegans and
Boods facts well fair and lawful differences
tain these allegations; and,


WHEREAS 1t appears that the people living and about
Fort Benton in apprehension OF their property
and lives and that they barely strong enough in
bers to defend themselves from anticipated attacks from
these enemies of Government and civilizations and


WHEREAS No military force being as yet dispatched to


this Territory by the National Government to protect the
people to whom the Territory its existence and great
promise: Therefore, THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER, Act
ing Governor of the Territory of Montana do hereby call
for 500 volunteers to meet me and form an exped


ton at Helena which shall march against these marauder
and urderes that the guilty parties shall be demanded
of the tribes and put death Of the Pegaus there are
now 300 young warriors bold and desperate under the
leadership of Little Dogs Son. upon the warpah and the
number volunteers asked for is required to ensure the
expedition in the speedest and most decisive
manner.


There being no appropriations outstanding to meet the
expenses of this expedition and Legislature at present
in session to vote supplies respectfully but most
esy suggested that the merchants of Virginia City and
Helena such be needed and for the proper
estimates of which a Quarermaster and Commissary OF
Subsistence will be commissioned who will give receipts
for the same The names of these and other officers
well as the of the officer commanding the expedition
will appear in subsequent proclamation from HeenaI
The expedton must be mounted TO a Every Vol
|
TO mount him. and bring his ammunition, and blank
cts with him the general rendezvous and headquarters
of the expedition which from this date will be established
at Helena that being by hundred and thirty miles
nearer point to the of the proposed action than Vr
] ginia City. . .


have in my possession thirtyni serviceable Spring
field muskets eight thousand rounds of ball cartridge bay
oue:s cartridge boxes and other accOutrements This
all have in my power to contribute personally to thu
expedition But consider the duty of all those who live
in the more secure settlements of the Terrorya thos
who can freely do so-to go TO the or protection
these who at 0uposs and exposed to such risks
peris as inevitably attend life in the neghborhood OF tn
indians. ~ !,


The conduct of the Bloods and Pegans all through tn
negotiation of the Fort Benton treaty, the distribution
the annues and from that out the present date ha
been that of the icopditioned vagabonds 1t tru
this treaty remains be ratified by the Senate and Pres
dent of the United States and it cannot be properly sai
that these predatory and murderouS Indians have voae
its spuations until ratified Buthey have voiat
ed the property and lives of people and Their rascal


ties and crimes will be checked alone by the inhlcou


the heaviest retribuon We it to noble TerrItor


10 nhct the rerbutiuu possible, otherwise II
development and progress its occupation in full by an Ell


erprizng and intrepid people and in lawful reduction


their dominion will be signazed by the frequent ASSASSIN
alton of pioneers the invasion of their an
| the destruction of their property. BY order,


THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHBR,
, | Acting Governor, Montana Ter.