Sandy Lake Agency
10 December 1850
J. B. Watrous
Indian Sub-Agent
1. West of Fond du Lac,
Minnesota
Report accompanying receipt
of Chippewa for $8,368.40 in provision over and above those under the treaties
above mentioned. K.C.
(copy)
Chippewa
Sandy Lake
Sub-agency
10th December 1850
Sir,
Herewith I enclose, together
with the accounts to cover the same, two triplicates of receipts, signed
by the chiefs and headmen of the Chippewas, for the sum of eight thousand
three hundred and 40/100th dollars, in provisions over and above those
furnished under treaty stipulations and to apply the settlement of difficulties
with the Sioux, which were distributed to the various bands for their part
subsistence at the payment of their annuities, and for the purpose of furnishing
them a small supply on their homeward march.
The circumstance under which
the purchases were made are as follows: On the 23rd September I dispatched
a messenger to notify the Lake Superior Bands to assemble for payment designating
the 25th October for them to convene. The Grand Portage, L’Anse, View Dessert,
Chippewa River and Wisconsin bands, aside from four to six hundred miles
from my sub-agency and owing to the distance they have had to travel on
the Lake, along with frequent delays liable to be met with at this season
of the year, from high and contrary winds, it was believed to be impossible
to assemble them at all if my call was justified till a later date. The
great body of them however did not arrive till the 28th of that month,
three days after the appointed time. The Mississippi bands came in
small parties and at different times and although a few remained away until
as late as 10th November, yet they were mostly in the spot as early as
the first. From two to three hundred of the Pillager and neighboring bands
had arrived by the first of November, but the strength former in all amounting
to about eight hundred came in on the 10th. By this time nearly four thousand
had assembled. Acting under instructions from your Excellency, I left my
post on 6th October for St. Louis, at which place I arrived on 21st of
the same month. There I remained until the 26th, when I took passage on
board the steamer Ben Franklin bound for St. Paul, this being the first
opportunity I had of leaving that city. Owing to the extremely low stage
of flow in the Mississippi and accidents, which befell our self, I was
unable to reach St. Paul until the 13th November. The best conveyance I
could procure from that place to Crow River was in a wagon. From the latter
place I embarked for Sandy Lake in a canoe and having but proceeded a fraction
of the way was met by such large quantities of ice that I was obliged to
abandoned my canoe, and complete the journey on foot. From these
detentions and hindrances it was rendered out of my power to reach my sub-agency
until the 24th November. On my arrival I found that all the provisions
furnished under the treaty stipulations, together with the fifteen hundred
dollars worth allowed as a remuneration, to the Chippewas for wrongs done
them by the Sioux, had all been consumed some days previously – and this
not withstanding they had been just upon the small rations, a barrel of
flour and a half a barrel of pork. Now prior to the opening of the payment,
before my return, and without any knowledge either on the part of the Indians
or those whom I had left in charge when either of these events would transpire,
the participants were suddenly reduced to an utter state of destitution
so far as the provisions of the government were concerned. What was to
be done? Could they return to their distant homes without their annuities,
(or at least the goods portion of them)? And even if they had been disposed
to do so starvation must have been inevitable consequence, unless they
had been supplied with food for their journey.
Provisions to a little above
the amount purchased were held in the market by the traders. Under this
pressing state of affairs, consent was obtained to issue pension for the
time being from these supplies the rations they had bee previously been
confined. This latter was the situation of things when I returned. I accordingly
at once entered into arrangements for the purchase of what provisions could
be had, on the most reasonable terms possible – and for a deficiency in
pork, pemmican was purchased to meet the emergency. The lowest terms on
which these purchases could be were for pork at $30 per barrel, flour at
$20, and pemmican at 16 cents per pound.
This enabled me to complete
the goods payment, which took did, in the date instant and gave them in
addition a small supply a piece toward considered trip – and even now from
the immense distance, many of them have to travel, the scarcity of game
in the woods, and the severity of the weather, there is great reason to
apprehend that much suffering and some starvation will attend them before
they reach their residences.
In view of the contemplated
removal of those in the occupancy of ceded lands, policy dictated these
purchases, and the purchasing provisioning wants of all assembled most
certainly demanded them.
The Pillager Band, relying
upon the promise to be fed at these payments, made by your excellency and
myself in their country last summer, in contemplation of a future treaty,
came provided with neither guns, ammunition, nets, or provisions, save
a few remaining fish which had been caught prior to their leaving Leech
Lake, designated to last them only on the road here. Rations were therefore
issued regularly to them.
At the time the accompanying
receipts was signed, the chiefs and headmen expressed their fears, that
they would be called upon to pay the amount from their monied annuity.
I told them in opened council that it would possibly be met from other
sources.
I am well aware that the
indebtedness incurred is a large one: I can only plead the stubbornness
of facts.
There is a deficiency in
the provisions and the goods annuity for this year of $1,772.24, which
I would recommend be applied in part payment of this indebtedness. I would
also further recommend that a portion of it be paid from the Removal Fund,
which, it would appear, may be very properly applied to this purpose, in
as much as the expense was incurred under a preliminary state of removal;
and should this fail to cover the whole amount, I would respectfully ask
that the balance be paid from the Treasury of the United States.
The Indians manifested considerable
disappointment at not receiving their monied annuity, but their goods are
much more valuable to them, but they bear with their disappointment much
more peaceably than anticipated. Their goods were generally of excellent
quality, and gave good satisfaction. Some changes however will be required
for the next year and will be seen from the invoices. I have recommended,
which I include to you. I would recommend that their money annuity for
1850 be united with their goods and monies for 1851. This will save the
expense of reassembling them and perhaps strengthen the inducements for
removal on the approaching season.
The amount allowed in the
settlement of difficulties with the Sioux fell so far short of their expectations,
that they expressed much dissatisfaction, saying, that if it were all the
government intended to allow them, they would sign the receipt, but at
the same time wished it expressly understood, that they did not accept
it in full satisfaction of the many outrages perpetrated on them. I informed
them that I knew of no other compensation, and understood it to be in full.
I herewith enclose to you two triplicate receipts for this amount.
Great complaints are made
by the Pillagers, that they are required to leave their hunting and fishing
grounds in the most valuable season of the year, to receive their small
annuity of goods, under the treaty of 1847. This has especially been the
case this year, and they solemnly declared to me in council, that unless
their two remaining payments could be united, they would not come for their
next years dues at all. They are in the habit of coming to their payment
is an state of utter destitution so far as food is concerned, and as their
treaty makes no provision for these distributions at the time an extra
expense must be incurred to keep them from fermentation. As a matter of
economy therefore to the government, and as an act of charity to them,
I would recommend that their annuity of 1851 and 1852 be united and made
to them next year, which will be in full of their treaty advantages.
On my arrival here I found
that the measles and diphtheria had broken out some two weeks prior and
which were yet raging to an alarming extent. Aggravated by the inclemency
of the weather and the frailty of their shelters and raiment upwards of
sixty of them have fallen victim to these diseases. They continued to perish
with increasing severity until their encampment broke up, and then at least
two hundred of the sick and their immediate attendants were left on my
hands. Of these many have since (?) a large number recovered and about
twenty yet remain in (?) and condition. Their loss cannot be estimated
at less than a hundred and fifty.
It may also be proper to
state, that failing to procure the funds at St. Louis applicable to the
payment of the promised annuities of the Chippewas, I recommended the Superintendent
to retain them until further advises are heard from me. This was believed
to be advisable, knowing the impossibility of retaining the Indians until
the funds could be forwarded, and owing to the immense tract of country
over which the tribe is scattered, the significant severities of a northern
winter, and the entire absence of provisions in the country, the attempt
to reassemble them would not only prove a fruitless one, but one attended
with enormous expense.
I am forever
respectfully, your obedient servant
(signed) J.S. Watrous
Sub-Agent
His Excellency, Alexander Ramsey
Governor of Minnesota Territory
&
Superintendent of Indian
Affairs
Number 3
Sandy Lake Sub-Agency
28 November 1850
J.S. Watrous
Indian Sub-Agent
$1500
Receipt of Chippewas for
provisions allowed on the settlement of difficulties with the Sioux.
Number 2
Sandy Lake Sub-Agency
28 November 1850
J.S. Watrous
Indian Sub-Agent
$3000
Receipt of Chippewas for
provisions furnished under treaty stipulations. (Triplicate)
$3,000
We the Chiefs and
Headmen of the Chippewas of the Mississippi and Lake Superior within the
Sub-Agency of Sandy Lake the receipt from John S. Watrous, Sub-Agent at
Sandy Lake of the sum of three thousand dollars in provisions and tobacco
under Article 2 of the Treaty July 29th 1837 and Article 4 of the Treaty
of October 4th 1842, on the following articles; two hundred and sixteen
barrels of super fine flour, at $6.00 per barrel; ninety five barrels of
my pork, at $9.50 per barrel; four thousand and sixty pounds of common
sugar in boxes, at 5 cents per pound; three hundred thirty three and one
third pounds of (?) tea in boxes, at 30 cents per pound; and three thousand,
three hundred and thirty three and one third pounds of tobacco in boxes
at 15 cents per pound. Aggregate Three Thousand Dollars, in part of the
annuity due our tribe in provisions and tobacco for the year 1850.
Sandy Lake
Sub-Agency November 28, 1850
(Triplicate)
Ke-che-wash-kunh,
his X mark
Qun-guon-o-goob, his X
mark
Gah-bin-ub-u, his X mark
Muk-ud-a-bin-ase, his X
mark
Shin-goob, his X mark
Mung-oo-she, his X mark
An-e-nai-wis, his X mark
Sandy
Lake
$1,500
We the Chiefs and
Headmen of the Chippewa Indians within the Sub-Agency of Sandy Lake acknowledge
the receipt from John S. Watrous, Sub-Agent at Sandy Lake of the sum of
one thousand five hundred dollars being the amount allowed for the settlement
of the difficulties between our tribe and the Sioux, at a council held
at St. Peter’s, Minnesota Territory ? 1850 in the following articles, to
wit: one hundred and ten barrels of super fine flour, at $6.00 per barrel;
and sixty barrels of my pork, at $14.00 per barrel. Aggregate $1,500.
Sandy Lake
Sub-Agency November 28, 1850
(Triplicate)
Ke-che-wash-kunh,
his X mark
Que-wis-ans, his X mark
Waub-o-jeed, his X mark
Attaw-auh,his X mark
Que-we-saw-sish, his X
mark
Kah-dow-aub-e-da, his X
mark
I-aush-aw-ke-shig, his
X mark
Nah-win-dim-uh-wino, his
X mark
Ne-gon-ab-e, his X mark
Be-dud, his X mark
Ke-che-no-din, his X mark
Witnessed
J.B.S. Todd
Captain, 6th Infantry
Army - Fort Gains
Peter Roy
Interpreter
