472 TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOURI [eth. ann. 46 



men to effect it with the Blaekfeet, and even then, there would be 

 great danger of collision with the troops who would endeavor to 

 enforce military regulations when they can not be understood and 

 are not required. Neither would Indians be induced to assemble 

 when such a body of armed men are brought without their con- 

 sent, or if they did, it would be with hostile feelings, and they 

 could give no assistance to the commissioners. A lesser force, or 

 one inadequate to present the idea of coercion, would incur their 

 contempt, as they would necessarily conclude that the Government 

 had sent all the men they could raise, and the few present would be 

 imposed upon. 



Indians do not like to be forced into measures, the utility of which 

 has yet to be made apparent. Besides, the spirit of treaty is com- 

 promise, not force, as would be implied by these proceedings. It 

 must be a voluntary act on the part of the Indians, for and in con- 

 sideration of a certain sum, to obtain the stipulations. Again it is 

 entirely on the jiiresent state of the Indian and their government 

 to carry out this treaty we depend after the military force be with- 

 drawn. Their organization as pointed out in these pages shows them 

 capable of preserving order among themselves on these occasions, 

 and a few good, patient commissioners and sensible traders and in- 

 terpreters would secure what is necessary when force or appearance 

 of it would fail. If anything more was added it might be a few 

 military officers in full uniform and a good band of music. After 

 satisfaction the treaty would operate in detail as has been mentioned, 

 and the next best thing would be to take deputations of the principal 

 men of each nation to Washington, where they could council with 

 their Great Father (the President), and at this time the power and 

 disposition of the Government could be exhibited without giving 

 offense, which in their return among their people would be made pub- 

 lic and the proper feeling instilled. But Indians should never be 

 treated with at the seat of Government for many reasons. 



The principal is that no deputation of prairie tribes could be 

 taken as the general voice, and even then would not think themselves 

 treated with on fair grounds — -would agree to any and everything 

 and afterwards say they were forced to do it. Large bodies of 

 whites in the interior and on treaty grounds would necessarily be 

 very expensive, and are inexpedient, as pointed out, though the sup- 

 port of a great many Indians would be very little. They bring their 

 supplies along, hunt their way back, and but a few groceries would 

 be sufficient to feed them during the short stay the business required. 

 Another thing not to be overlooked is that the assembling of differ- 

 ent nations in a body at a certain point is a great affair to them. 

 It forms an epoch, a date, an event, to be talked of for years. Each 



