OF THE HUMAN FAMILY. 



173 



the compact.^ We have no knowledge of any important acts of legislation for the 

 general welfare, by tliis Dakotan Confederacy, but there can be no doubt that even 

 a nominal league would tend to promote and preserve liarmony among them, as 

 well as to increase their influence among Indian nations. Every trace of the 

 federative principle in the Ganowdnian family possesses some degree of importance, 

 as it reveals in each case the development of the first germ of progress from the 

 monotonous level of the roving bands. 



Intellectually the Dakotas compare favorably with the most advanced of their 

 contemporaries. Intractable and independent in their dispositions they have, for 

 the most part held themselves aloof from government influence; but generous 

 and just to each other, they have maintained among Indian nations a favorable 

 reputation for energy, hardihood, and courage.^ Their chiefs hi council are bold, 

 graceful, and fluent speakers. In this respect they compare favorably with the 

 Iroquois, who have reached some distinction in eloquence. At diff"crent times I 

 have heard the chiefs and orators of many Indian nations speak in council, but 

 none of them impressed me more strongly than the Dakota chiefs. Clearness of 

 thought and energy of will characterized tlieir speech, and a free untameable spirit 

 their demeanor. 



It is impossible to save the Dakotas, or any Indian nation, in the strictly abo- 

 riginal condition. They must either become agricultural or pastoral, or disappear 

 from the continent. With this great cliange even it is a formidable struggle for 

 existence. The Dakotas have seized the principal part, or rather the northern half 

 of the interior prairie area, no considerable portion of which, it seems probable, can 

 ever be occupied by our people. It is throughout poorly watered, and substantially 

 destitute of forest. On the Upper Missouri for two thousand miles, and until you 

 reach the foot slopes of the mountains, the timber is confined to the bottom lands of 

 the river, and is very scanty even there. It is the same with all of its tributaries. A 

 civilized and agricultural population can never inhabit any portion of this hiland re- 

 gion, except a narrow margin upon tlie rivers. On the plains, the Dakotas, if they 

 maintain peaceful relations, will interfere with no interests of the American people. 

 When the Buff'alo ceases from diminished numbers to afford them subsistence, 

 which will be the case at no distant day, they will be compelled to rear domestic 

 cattle to supply their place. In this there is every reason to suppose they may be 

 entirely successful, from their experience in raising horses, from their knowledge 

 of the buffalo ranges, and from their familiarity with the life of the camp. Should 



• These were, 1. The Mediwanktons ; 2. Walipekutes ; 3. Wabipetons ; 4. Sissetoiis ; 5. Yank- 

 tons ; 6. Yanktonais; 7. Teetons. The first three are collectively the Isaunties of tlie Table ; ami 

 the Teetons are now subdivided into, 1. Ogalallas ; 2. Brules; 3. Uncpappas; 4. Blaekfoot Dakotas ; 

 5. Ohenonpas ; fi. Itazipcoes ; 7. Minekanyes, and 8. Sansarcs. 



' In the year 1862, at Fort Pierre in Nebraska Territory, at a council held by the United States 

 Indian agent with the chiefs of several bands of the Dakotas, I witnessed the refusal of a chief 

 of one of them to receive any annuity whatever from the government; and he alleged as a reason 

 that the aeceptanco of the goods, which were in a pile before him as he spoke, would compromise 

 the independence of his people. 



