APPENDIX. 559 



vision of the American government ; that they depend on its care 

 and protection ; that no other government has power to regulate 

 trade and send traders among them; finally, that an adherence to 

 foreign counsels, and to anti-pacific maxims, can be visited upon 

 them in measures of coercion. That their country, hitherto 

 deemed nearly inaccessible, can be penetrated and traversed by 

 men and troops, with baggage and provisions, even in midsum- 

 mer, when the waters are lowest ; and that, in proportion as they 

 comply with political maxims, as benevolent as they are just, will 

 they live at peace with their enemies, and have the means of sub- 

 sistence for an increased population among themselves. The 

 conduct of the traders in this quarter, and the influence they have 

 exerted, both moral and political, cannot here be entered upon, 

 and must be left to some other occasion, together with statistical 

 details and other branches of information not arising from par- 

 ticular instructions. 



It may be said that the Indians upon the St. Croix and Chip- 

 pewa Elvers, and their numerous branches, have been drawn into 

 a close intercourse with Government. But it will be obvious that 

 a perseverance in the system of official advice and restraints, is 

 essential to give permanence to the effects already produced, and 

 to secure a firm and lasting peace between them and the Sioux. 

 To this end, the settlement of the line upon the Red Cedar Fork is 

 an object which claims the attention of the Department ; and 

 would justify, in mj^ opinion, the calling togetlier the parties 

 interested, at some convenient spot near the junction of the Red 

 Cedar River with the Chippewa. Indeed, the handsome eleva- 

 tion, and the commanding geographical advantages of this spot, 

 render it one which, I think, might be advantageously occupied 

 as a military post. Such an occupancy would have the effect to 

 keep the parties at peace ; and the point of land, on which the 

 work is proposed to be erected, might be purchased from the 

 Sioux, together with such part of the disputed lands near the 

 mills as might be deemed necessary to quiet the title of the Chip- 

 pewas. By acquiring this portion of country for the purposes of 

 military occupancy, the United States would be justified in punish- 

 ing any murders committed upon it ; and I am f\i]lj convinced 

 that no measure which could, at this time, be adopted, would so 

 certainly conduce to a permanent peace between the tribes. I 



