[ 237 ] i66 



It may be that, under present circunistances, this subject deserves the 

 attention of Congress, It is painful to rttlect that the -British trade has 

 entirely superseded the American on tlie wliole of the Oregon Territory, at 

 A time when the nation thinks of laying claims to its rights over it. A 

 few hundred hunters well acqiiuinted with the climate and the charac- 

 ter of the Indians, might one day consiilulo a mo^t valuable force ; and 

 as it is the interest of a government to protect its commerce, it might 

 rely safely, in its turn, upon this force, to defend the rights and honor of the 

 nation. 



The territory of the Chippeways, the exploration of which I had just 

 finished, as well as that of the iSioux, upon which I was entering, had 

 been for many years tranquil. This is, beyond a doubt, to be uttributed 

 to the firmness of tlie Indian agents, Messrs. Taliaferro and H. 

 Schoolcraft, in enforcing the law of 1S32, prohibiting the introduction 

 of ardent spirits; in which ellorts they were warmly supported by Col- 

 onel Davenport, the commander at Fort Snelling, and Messrs. H. Sibley 

 and William Aiikin, agents of the American Fur Company for the re- 

 gions of St. Peter's and of Sandy lake. 1 found the same condition of 

 things in 1837. 1838, and 1839, when the post was under the command of 

 Major PlympioH ; for, during those years, I continued to explore the 

 vast regions occupied by these two great nations. Then it was 1 bade a 

 .last adieu to the unconstrained liberty of the children of the forest, who, it 

 requires no great foresight to anticipate, will soon have to yield to the re- 

 straints of civilization. It gives me pleasure to have this opportunity of 

 thanking the above-named public functionaries, in the name of morals and 

 humanity. 



The Sioux, or Ndakolahs, occupied formerly the region about the 

 sources of the Mississippi, and a large portion of that extending to ihe 

 Missouri — (orming, at this time, the Iowa Territory. They had not as 

 yet crossed (he Missouri ; and it is only three years since the invasion of 

 their country by the Chippoways, when, losing ground to the north, they 

 sought to extend themselves to the south and west, at the expense of 

 the lowas, the Ottoes, the Missourias, and other nations. At this day 

 the Tilonv^ans, the seventh tribe of the Sioux, pitch their tents as far 

 as the sources of ihe river Platte ; whilst the Yanktons and the Yank- 

 tonans, which form the fifth and sixth tribes, pilch theirs near the Mandaii 

 country. 



Formerly, the Sioux bands had their hunting camp principally on the 

 borders ol Leech lake, or of Mbisi sagaif^on ing^"" or Mille Lacs. These 

 bands are mostly composed of the Mdeuakantonwans, and of Warpeton- 

 wans, the first and second tribes ; and ihey are designated, collectively, as 

 the lssan-li,t Issan ati, or Jssan oti — that is to say, tliose havinsr their 

 lodges on sharp stones, as may be inferred from the writings of Father 

 Hennepin, who remained v. prisoner lor several months with one of these 



• This uame is derived from minsi, all sons, or everywhere, &c ; sagaigon, lake; and ing, 

 which is a leritiiDauon used lo indicate a place; so ibe meaniog of (be word iii " place where 

 there are all sorLs of lakes," which the French have rendered into Mille Lacs. Mini is an ot>- 

 fuleie word; it is now pronounced misi, or ni^i. 



t From issan, a sharp stone, but now also applied to signify the " knife sold to them by ihe 

 traders;" U, h;ibiiaiion, large lodge; and o, location particle. 



