

inula] THE ASSlXIBOIN 471 



but what is yet in store for him. The prospects of an annual repeti- 

 tion of these presents would induce them to keep the treaty stipula- 

 tions. Whv and how? The soldiers, chiefs, and heads of families, 

 whose voices only could make war. are held in check by the pros- 

 pects of gain, and should any parties be raised would be paid to 

 stop, or if they continued and stole horses, or killed a few of the. 

 nation with whom peace had been made, the affair would be paid 

 for and hushed up on both sides, on account of the coming presents. 



The reason why persons killed in time of peace between two na- 

 tions can be paid for, and privately not, is that in the former case 

 the voices of all, except the immediate relations of the slain, are 

 against revenge, inasmuch as it would affect their interests with re- 

 gard to the presents granted by the treaty. This operation going on 

 in both nations at the same time leaves the relatives too few to effect 

 a revenge, and the dishonor is evaded by the compulsion. In the 

 course of a few years all old causes for revenge would be forgotten. 

 By visiting each other and exchanging property, horses (the usual 

 cause of war) would become more equally divided, by being bought 

 by those who wish them, instead of stolen. Acquaintance with each 

 other's language, intermarriages, and other ties would follow, and the 

 advantage of receiving a large supply of merchandise without the 

 labor of hunting skins for it, together with the honor and increase of 

 power of the soldiers, by having the distribution of this merchan- 

 dise, must effectually throw the popular voice against war. The 

 voices of the women, though not consulted, would be felt. They are 

 vain, fond of dress, and would, of course, be in favor of the treaty 

 which enables them to gratify this passion in a greater degree by 

 furnishing them with clothing gratis. Therefore war would be dis- 

 continued by them, and the hand of a peaceable man preferred to one 

 whose conduct militated against their own interests and those of their 

 parents. For we apprehend that the favor warriors find in the eyes 

 of the women and their parents is the result of their success, not the 

 glorj' in their bravery. 



It is the horses stolen from their enemies that gives them wealth 

 to purchase any woman they please, and the father-in-law is anxious 

 to have a son-in-law who can at any time replace his loss in horses. 

 Indians are poor; that is, they are always in need of articles they 

 can not purchase, and getting a supply gratis is of great advantage 

 to them. The power of these annuities is great, and could be wielded 

 with sufficient force to bring different bands to war upon their own 

 people, and compel them to preserve the treaty stipulations. 



We do not think that the display of military force on treaty 

 grounds is either necessary or politic. If to inspire a feeling of fear 

 be the object, it would require the presence of three or four thousand 



