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28th. The wife of Metakoossega (Pure Tobacco) applied for
food for her husband, whom she represented as being sick at his
lodge, and unable to apply himself. The peculiar features and
defective Chippewa pronunciation of this woman indicated her foreign
origin. She is a Sioux by birth, having been taken captive by the
Chippewas when quite young. A residence of probably thirty years has
not been sufficient to give her a correct knowledge of the
principles or pronunciation of the language. She often applies
animate verbs and adjectives to inanimate nouns, &c., a proof,
perhaps, that no such distinctions are known in her native tongue.
Chacopa, a chief of Snake River, intimated his wish to be heard. He
said he had visited the agency in the hope that some respect3
would be shown the medal he carried. The government had thought him
worthy of this honor; the traders had also thought him deserving of
it; and many of the young men of Snake River looked up to him to
speak for them. "But what," he asked, "can I say? My father knows
how we live, and what we want. We are always needy. My young men are
expecting something. I do not speak for myself; but I must ask my
father to take compassion on those who have followed me, &c. We
expect, from what our great father said to us at the treaty of Fond
du Lac, that they would all be clothed yearly."
Ahkakanongwa presented a note from Mr. Johnston, Sub-agent at La
Pointe, recommending him as "a peaceable and obedient Indian." He
requested permission to be allowed to take a keg of whisky inland on
his return, and to have a permit for it in writing. I asked him the
name of the trader who had sold him the liquor, and who had sent
him to ask this permit.
Wayoond's widow requested provisions to enable her to return to her
country. Granted.
30th. Chegud, a minor chief of Tacquimenon River, embraced
the opportunity presented by his applying for food for his family,
to add some remarks on the subject of the School promised them at
the signing of the treaty of Fond du Lac. He was desirous of sending
three of his children. The conduct of this young man for several
years past, his sobriety, industry in hunting, punctuality in paying
debts contracted with the traders, and his modest, and, at the same
time, manly deportment, have attracted general notice. He is neat in
his dress, wearing a capot, like the Canada French, is emulous of
the good will of white men, and desirous to adopt, in part, their
mode of living, and have his children educated. I informed him that
the United States Senate, in ratifying the treaty, had struck out
this article providing for a school.
31st Shanegwunaibe, a visiting Indian from the sources of
Menomonie River of Green Bay, stated his object in making so
circuitous a journey. (He had come by way of Michilimackinac), to
visit the agency. He had been induced, from what he had heard of the
Lake Superior Indians, to expect that general presents of clothing
would be issued to all the Chippewas.
"Nothing," observes the Sub-agent at La Pointe, "but their
wretchedness could induce the Indians to wander."
Aug. 3d. Guelle Plat returned from his visit to
Michilimackinac; states that the Agent at that post (Mr. Boyd) had
given him a sheep, but had referred him to me, when speaking on the
subject of presents, &c., saying that he belonged to my agency.
Finding in this chief a degree of intelligence, united to habits of
the strictest order and sobriety, and a vein of reflection which had
enabled him to observe more than I thought he appeared anxious to
communicate, I invited him into my house, and drew him into
conversation on the state of the trade, and the condition of the
Indians at Leech Lake, &c. He said the prices of goods were high,
that the traders were rigorous, and that there were some practices
which he could wish to see abolished, not so much for his own sake4,
as for the sake of the Indians generally; that the traders found it
for their interest to treat him and the principal chiefs well; that
he hunted diligently, and supplied himself with necessary articles.
But the generality of the Indians were miserably poor and were
severely dealt by. He said, the last thing that they had enjoined
upon him, on leaving Leech Lake, was to solicit from me another
trader. He had not, however, deemed it proper to make the request in
public council.
He states that the Indians are compelled to sell their furs to
one man, and to take what he pleases to give them in return.
That the trader fixes his own prices, both on the furs and on the
goods he gives in exchange. The Indians have no choice in the
matter. And if it happens, as it did last spring (1828), that there
is a deficiency in the outfit of goods, they are not permitted
quietly to bring out their surplus furs, and sell them to whom they
please. He says that he saw a remarkable instance of this at
Point au Pins, on his way out, where young Holiday drew a dirk
on an Indian on refusing to let him take a pack of furs from his
canoe. He said, on speaking of this subject, "I wish my father to
take away the sword that hangs over us, and let us bring down our
furs, and sell them to whom we please."
He says that he killed last fall, nearly one thousand muskrats,
thirteen bears, twenty martins, twelve fishers. Beavers he killed
none, as they were all killed off some years ago. He says, that
fifty rats are exacted for cloth for a coat (this chief wears coats)
the same for a three point blanket, forty for a two-and-a-half point
blanket, one hundred for a Montreal gun, one plus for a gill
of powder, for a gill of shot, or for twenty-five bullets, thirty
martins for a beaver trap, fifteen for a rat trap.
Speaking of the war, which has been so long waged between the
Chippewas and Sioux, to the mutual detriment of both, he said that
it had originated in the rival pretensions of a Sioux and Chippewa
chief, for a Sioux woman, and that various causes had since added
fuel to the flame. He said that, in this long war, the Chippewas had
been gainers of territory, that they were better woodsmen than the
Sioux, and were able to stand their ground. But that the fear of an
enemy prevented them from hunting some of the best beaver land,
without imminent hazard. He had himself, in the course of his life,
been a member of twenty-five different war parties, and had escaped
without even a wound, though on one occasion, he with three
companions, was compelled to cut his way through the enemy, two of
whom were slain.
These remarks were made in private conversation. Anxious to secure
the influence and good-will of a man so respectable both for his
standing and his understanding, I had presented him, on his previous
visit (July 19), with the President's large medal, accompanied by
silver wrist-bands, gorget, &c., silver hat-band, a hat for himself
and son, &c. I now added full patterns of clothing for himself and
family, kettles, traps, a fine rifle, ammunition, &c., and,
observing his attachment for dress of European fashion, ordered an
ample cloak of plaid, which would, in point of warmth, make a good
substitute for the blanket.
On a visit which he made to Fort Brady on the following day, Dr.
Pitcher presented his only son, a fine youth of sixteen, a gilt
sword, and, I believe, some other presents were made by the officers
of the 2d Regiment.
5th. Issued an invoice of goods, traps, kettles, &c. to the
Indians, who were assembled in front of the office, and seated upon
the green for the purpose of making a proper distribution. I took
this occasion to remind them of the interest which their great
father, the President, constantly took in their welfare, and of his
ardent desire that they might live in peace and friendship with each
other, and with their ancient enemies, the Sioux. That he was
desirous to see them increase in numbers, as well as prosperity, to
cultivate the arts of peace, so far as they were compatible with
their present condition and position, to participate in the benefits
of instruction, and to abstain from the use of ardent spirits, that
they might continue to live upon the lands of their forefathers, and
increase in all good knowledge. I told them they must consider the
presents, that had now been distributed, as an evidence of these
feelings and sentiments on the part of the President, who expected
that they would be ready to hearken to his counsels, &c.
I deemed this a suitable opportunity to reply to some remarks that
had fallen from several of the speakers, in the course of their
summer visits, on the subject of the stipulations contained in the
treaty of Fond du Lac, and informed them that I had put the
substance of their remarks into the shape of a letter to the
department (see Official Let., Aug. 2d, 1828), that this letter
would be submitted to the President, and when I received a reply it
should be communicated to them.
6th. Shingabowossin and his band called to take leave
previous to their setting out on their fall hunts. He thanked me in
behalf of all the Indians, for the presents distributed to them
yesterday.
Wayishkee (the First Born), a chief of the home band, on calling to
take leave for the season, stated that he had been disabled by
sickness from killing many animals during the last year, that his
family was large, und that he felt grateful for the charity shown to
his children, &c.
This chief is a son of the celebrated war chief Waubodjeeg (the
White Fisher), who died at La Pointe about thirty years ago, from
whom he inherited a broad wampum belt and gorget, delivered to his
grandfather (also a noted chief) by Sir Wm. Johnson, on the taking
of Fort Niagara, in 1759.
The allusion made to his family recalled to my mind the fact, that
he has had twelve children by one wife, nine of whom are now living;
a proof that a cold climate and hardships are not always adverse to
the increase of the human species.
7th. Annamikens made a speech, in which he expressed himself
very favorably of our government, and said he should carry back a
good report of his reception. He contrasted some things very
adroitly with the practices he had observed at Red River, Fort
William, and Drummond's Island. Deeming it proper to secure the
influence of a person who stands well with the Indians on that
remote frontier, I presented him a medal of the second class,
accompanying it by some presents of clothing, &c., and an address to
be delivered to the Chippewas, at the sources of the Mississippi, in
which I referred to the friendly and humane disposition of our
government, its desire that the Indians should live in peace,
refrain from drink, &c.
Terns Couvert, in a short speech, expressed himself favorably
towards Annamikens, corroborating some statements the latter had
made.
Chacopee came to make his farewell speech, being on the point of
embarking. He recommended some of his followers to my notice, who
were not present when the goods were distributed on the fifth
instant. He again referred to the wants and wishes of the Indians of
Snake River, who lived near the boundary lines, and were subject to
the incursions of the Sioux. Says that the Sioux intrude beyond the
line settled at the Prairie, &c. Requests permission to take inland,
for his own use, two kegs of whisky, which had been presented to him
by Mr. Dingley and Mr. Warren. [This mode of evading the intercourse
act, by presenting or selling liquor on territory where the laws of
Congress do not operate, shifting on the Indians the risk and
responsibility of taking it inland, is a new phase of the trade, and
evinces the moral ingenuity of the American Fur Company, or
their servants.]
8th. Grosse Guelle stated that, as he was nearly ready to
return, he wished to say a few words, to which he hoped I would
listen. He complained of the hardness of times, high prices of
goods, and poverty of the Indians, and hoped that presents would be
given to them5. He
alleged these causes for his visit, and that of the Sandy Lake
Indians generally. Adverted to the outrage committed by the Sioux at
St. Peters, and to the treaty of Prairie du Chien, at which his
fathers (alluding to Gen. Clarke and Gov. Cass) promised to punish
the first aggressors. Requested permission to take in some
whisky--presses this topic, and says, in reply to objections, that
"Indians die whether they drink whisky or not." He presented a pipe
in his own name, and another in the names of the two young chiefs
Wazhus-Kuk-Koon (Muskrat's Liver), and Nauganosh, who both received
small medals at the treaty of Fond du Lac.
Katewabeda, having announced his wish to speak to me on the 6th
instant, came into the office for that purpose. He took a view of
the standing his family had maintained among the Sandy Lake Indians
from an early day, and said that he had in his possession until very
lately a French flag, which had been presented to some of his
ancestors, but had been taken to exhibit at Montreal by his
son-in-law (Mr. Ermatinger, an English trader recently retired from
business). He had received a muzinni'egun6
from Lieut. Pike, on his visit to Sandy Lake, in 1806, but it had
been lost in a war excursion on the Mississippi. He concluded by
asking a permit to return with some mdz. and liquor, upon the sale
of which, and not on hunting, he depended for his support7
I took occasion to inform him that I had been well acquainted with
his standing, character, and sentiments from the time of my arrival
in the country in the capacity of an agent; that I knew him to be
friendly to the traders who visited the Upper Mississippi, desirous
to keep the Indians at peace, and not less desirous to keep up
friendly relations with the authorities of both the British and
American governments; but that I also very well knew that whatever
political influence he exerted, was not exerted to instil into the
minds of the Indians sentiments favorable to our system of
government, or to make them feel the importance of making them
strictly comply with the American intercourse laws, &c. I referred
to the commencement of my acquaintance with him, twenty days after
my first landing at St. Mary's, and by narrating facts, and naming
dates and particulars, endeavored to convince him that I had not
been an indifferent observer of what had passed both within
and without the Indian country. I also referred to recent
events here, to which I attributed an application to trade, which he
had not thought proper or deemed necessary to make in previous
years.
I concluded by telling him that he would see that it was impossible,
in conformity with the principles I acted upon, and the respect
which I claimed of Indians for my counsels, to grant his request.
11th. Guelle Plat came to take leave preparatory to his
return. He expressed his sense of the kindness and respect with
which he had been treated, and intimated his intention of repeating
his visit to the Agency during the next season, should his health be
spared. He said, in the course of conversation, that "there was one
thing in which he had observed a great difference between the
practice of this and St. Peter's Agency. There whisky is
given out in abundance; here I see it is your practice to
give none."
12th. Invested Oshkinahwa (the Young Man of the totem of the
Loon of Leech Lake), with a medal.
15th. Issued provisions to the family of Kussepogoo, a
Chippewyan woman from Athabasca, recently settled at St. Mary's. It
seems the name by which this remote tribe is usually known is of
Chippewa origin (being a corruption of Ojeegewyan, a fisher's
skin), but they trace no affinity with the Chippewa stock, and the
language is radically different, having very little analogy either
in its structure or sounds. It is comparatively harsh and barren,
and so defective and vague in its application that it even seems
questionable whether nouns and verbs have number.
18th. Visited by the Little Pine (Shingwaukonce), the leading
chief on the British shore of the St. Mary's, a shrewd and politic
man, who has united, at sundry periods, in himself the offices and
influence of a war chief, a priest, or Jossakeed, and a civil ruler.
The giving of public presents on the 5th had evidently led to his
visit, although he had not pursued the policy expected from him, so
far as his influence reached among the Chippewas on the American
shores of the straits. He made a speech well suited to his position,
and glossed off with some fine generalities, avoiding commitments on
main points and making them on minor ones, concluding with a string
of wampum. I smoked and shook hands with him, and accepted his
tenders of friendship by re-pledging the pipe, but narrowed his
visit to official proprieties, and refused his wampum.
22d. Magisanikwa, or the Wampum-hair, renewed his visit, gave
me another opportunity to remember his humane act in the spring, and
had his claims on this score allowed. The Indians never forget a
good act done by them, and we should not permit them to surpass us
in this respect.
3: This term was not meant to apply to personal
respect, but to presents of goods.
4: He was flattered and pampered by them.
5: By visiting Drummond's Island contrary to
instructions, this chief and his band had excluded themselves from
the distribution made on the 5th of August.
6: A paper; any written or printed document.
7: This is one of the modern modes of getting goods
into the country in contravention of law, Mr. Ermatinger being a
foreigner trading on the Canadian side of the river.
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materials that may imply negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language
of a particular period or place. These items are presented as part of the
historical record and should not be interpreted to mean that the WebMasters in
any way endorse the stereotypes implied.
Personal Memoirs of a Residence of Thirty Years with the
Indian Tribes on the American Frontiers, 1851
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