y—^

-7

University of California,

<rIl-'-l' Of

t

>

>{<-

FORT SNELLING.

COL. LEAVENWORTH'S EXPEDITION TO ESTABLISH IT, IN 1819.

BY MAJ. THOMAS FORSYTH, INDIAN AGENT.

NOTE BY THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION.

The accompanying valuable and interesting narrative was first published in the Wisconsin Historical Collections in 1872, but as it closely relates to Minnesota History, it is too important to pass by without including it in the publications of this Society. We have retained most of the foot notes of Dr. Lyman C. Draper, the editor of the publications of the Wisconsin Historical Society (whose re- search and learning in the department of Western history are perhaps unequalled,) and have added some additional notes that seemed necessary.

Concerning the author of the narrative. Dr. Draper says :

Maj. Thomas Forsyth was born in Detroit, Dec. 5, 1771. His father, Wm. Forsyth, was from Blackwater itown, Ireland; the family was originally Scotch, and Presbyterians. Wm. Forsyth migrated to .New York about 1750, and was under Gen. Wolfe at the capture of Quebec in 1759, and was twice wounded in the conflict, and was subsequently stationed in Detroit. On the expiration of his term of service, he settled there, and married the widow Kinzie, grand- mother of the late John H. Kinzie, of Chicago. He long kept a tavern, and engaged in trading; and during the Revolution, sympathising with the Americans, he was for a long time imprisoned, with James Abbot, but finally liberated. He died at Detroit about 1790, leaving several children, among them the subject of this sketch. Thomas Forsyth engaged while yet young in the Indian trade, and spent sev- eral winters on Saginaw Bay, and, as early as 1798, wintered on an island in the Mississippi, four or five miles below Quincy, near the mouth of the Fabius. His first partner in trading was one Richard- son, and then his step-son, John Kinzie, and Robert Forsyth; and about 1802, they established a trading post at Chicago. About 1804, he was united in marriage to Miss Keziah Malotte, near Maiden, and subsequently settled as a trader at Peoria. Maj. Forsyth, in his Journal, speaks with honest indignation against the capture of him- self, family and the French people of Peoria, in 1812, by Capt. Craig.

After the war, Maj. Forsyth was many years Indian Agent for the

Sauks and Foxes ; and had he been continued over them, it is believed,

the Sauk war of J 832 would never have occurred. He died at St.

Louis, Oct. 29, 1833, in the sixty-second year of his age, his wife

19

140 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

having four years preceded him to the grave. They had three sons and one daughter; only the second child, Col. Robert Forsyth, sur- vives, on his fine farm near St. Louis. From him the Journal now published, and many important documents concerning the Sauks and Foxes, were obtained. Maj. Thomas Forsyth, in his long connec- tion with Indian affairs, and by his writings on the history of Indian tribes of the North West, rendered his country important service.

Having received instructions from the Department of War, to ship on board a steamboat destined to transport provisions, etc., for an establishment to be made at the mouth of St. Peter's river, a certain quantity of goods, say $2,000 worth, to be delivered b^ me to the Sioux Indians residing on the Mis- sissippi above Prairie du Chien, and those who reside on the lower part of river St. Peter's, in payment of lands ceded by the Sioux Indians to the late Gen. Pike for the United States. The owners of the steamboats, finding it was impracticable to navigate such craft on the upper parts of the Mississippi river, changed their plans, and commenced transporting the provi- sions in keel boats. Finding that no steamboats could get up the different rapids, and that the contractor had commenced to employ keels, I hired a boat and crew, bought provisions, and was ready by the third of June, but some of my men having received some money in advance, they thought proper to go out of the way, by which means I was detained until the seventh, when I got a crew together, and sent them out of town to be prepared for next morning.

Tuesday, 8th June. About sunset I hoisted sail, and had a fine breeze all day ; found the water uncommonly high for the season, the current strong, yet we made an excellent day's journey, having come 27 miles.

Wednesday, 9th. Called at Portage des Sioux to enquire of Mr. Le Claire if he had heard from A. B.^ ; breakfasted with him and proceeded on, encamped about three miles above mouth of Illinois river ; distance to-day 18 miles.

Thursday, 10th. Met six discharged soldiers from the Rifle Regiment at Prairie du Chien, descending the Mississippi in a

1 Probably the Mr. Brown who joined the party on the 18th. L. C. D.

MA J. Forsyth's narrative. 141

canoe ; wind fair but light ; encamped at sundown above Cap au Gre ; distance to-day 30 miles.

Friday, 11 th. Set out early this morning with a fair wind ; it soon came around ahead ; we encamped within 15 miles of Clarksville ; distance to-day 24 miles.

Saturday, 12th. The water continues high, and current strong ; no bottom for poles in places ; arrived at Clarksville in the afternoon ; remained there all night. Came to-day fifteen miles.

Sunday, 13th. Mr. Brown embarked on board to go up to Fort Edwards ; wind fair ; saw several lodges of Indians at Louisianaville ; some followed us and came on board, insisted on getting some liquor, they being already half drunk. Dis- tance to-day, thirty-six miles.

Monday, 14th, Visited Hannibal in passing ; a fair wind sprung up. Pleasant in the forenoon ; thunder, with rain in the afternoon. Stopped at Two Rivers. Saw some lowas ; got some venison from them. Encamped at Wa-con-daw Prairie. Distance to-day thirty-six miles.

Tuesday, 15lh. Thunder and rain ; wind fair occasionally, but light. Encamped within nine miles of Fort Edwards ; came about forty miles to-day.

Wednesday, 16th. Arrived at Fort Edwards. Delivered several articles to Mr. Bett and others, brought up from St. Louis for them ; stayed there about three hours, and was much disappointed in not being a magistrate, there being a couple verj^ anxious of being married. I really pitied their case. Some Sacs and Iowa Indians have planted corn near the Fort where they reside, and they go occasionally down to the settle- ments, bring up whisky, get drunk and insult those who reside in the fort. A few troops would be well stationed at this place, as it would keep the Indians in awe, and might be the occasion of preventing many accidents. Understood that many Sacs had gone to Detroit ; encamped at sundown about the middle of the Rapids. Distance to-day eighteen miles.

Thursday, 17th. Set out early ; met Madam Boilvin^ near upper end of Rapids ; she is going down to St. Louis for her

1 Nicholas Boilvin was Indian Agent and Magistrate at Prairie du Chien at that time. He died in May, 1827. W.

142 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

health. Wind fair part of the day; encamped opposite the Arrowstone Prairie. Thirty-two miles to-day.

Friday, 18th. Wind hard against us ; made only 15 miles to-day.

Saturday, 19th. The waters apjjarently higher here than below ; weather very warm ; wind light but ahead ; musquitoes worse than I ever saw them. Made only 21 miles to-day ; en- camped above the first Yellow Banks.

Sunday, 20th. Weather still ver}^ warm ; had the sail up and down several times. Met Mr. Davenport's men returning home to St. Louis. Met the Black Thunder and some fol- lowers, all Foxes, going down to St. Louis in three canoes ; the}^ immediately returned when they met me ; encamped a little above the Iowa river ; 18 miles was this day's progress.

Monday, 21st. We were off by time this morning ; three Saukies overtook us on their way from hunting, bound up to their village on Rocky river ; current strong to-day — made only 24 miles ; encamped at upper end of Grand Mascoutin.

Tuesday, 22d. The men have been complaining of the length of the days. I told them that this was the longest day of the year, and of course every day afterwards would be shorter. They said they were glad to hear such good news, and wished to know how I knew this. Made 27 miles to-day.

Wednesday, 23d. Being detained yesterday awhile by a head wind, I was not able to reach Fort Armstrong, and one of the men still being sick retarded the progress of the boat ; indeed a strong current to stem, a bad going boat, and one man sick, makes tedious work. I arrived at Fort Armstrong about 12 o'clock, and sent for the Fox and Sac chiefs to meet me next morning to receive their annuities.

Thursday, 24th. The chiefs of the Sacs and Foxes arrived this morning, and delivered their annuities. I then informed them that the white man, who killed the Indians near Bear Creek last winter, was committed to jail for trial, yet I had no objection to make a present to the relatives of the deceased Indians. The chiefs were much pleased with all this. Towards evening the whole began to disperse, and what astonished me much, not a soul asked for a dram, as I well knew there were

MAJ. Forsyth's narrative. 143

many wet souls among them, particularly my old acquaintance

QUASH-QUA-MIE.

Friday, 25th. Early this morning two Indians, accompanied by the Lance^ and Quash-qua-mie,^ came to me, and were pointed out by the latter as being the brothers of the Indian who was killed near Bear Creek last winter by S. Thompson, to whom I gave some goods, observing to them that those goods now lying before them were to cover their dead brother, and if they thought they could not forget the death of their brother, not to accept of the goods ; if, on the contrary, they accepted the goods, they must forever forget the injury, and not to say hereafter, " an American killed my brother." This they agreed to in presence of theh^ chiefs, the Lance and Quash-qua-mie. Immediately embarked and set out ; the old Lance came a few miles with me, and I gave the old man a few little things for his own family, for which he was very thankful. Several other canoes with Indians on board of them followed me a consid- erable distance, asking for every thing they could think of. To each I had to give a little — they were principally Foxes ; by which means I was much retarded, and as the Mississippi was raising, the current was very strong and the boatmen labored very hard, and at sundown I had got half way up the Rapids — distance 9 miles.

Saturday, 26th. We set out early and found the upper part

ISham-ga, or The Lance of the Missouri band of Sauks. L. C. D.

2 Quash-qua-mie, or the Jumping Fish, was a chief of some note among the Sauks, of the Missouri band. He signed the treaty of 1804 at St. Louis, by which a large tract of country of the Sauks east of the Mississippi, comprehending about fifty millions of acres, were ceded to the United States. Black Hawk and others of the Rock River bands stoutly protested that the chiefs were drunk and knew not what they did, and the nation was not properly represented, and proved the origin of many difficulties, and probably of the alienation of the Rock river Sauks in the war of 1812. Quash-qua-mie's band aimed to remain neutral during the war, but it is probable that some of the young Avarriors got drawn into it. Quash-qua-mie signed the treaties at Portage Des Sioux, in September, 1815; that at Fort Arm- strong, in September, 1822; and at Prairie du Chien, in August, 1825. The last charge of distributing rations to him by Maj. Forsyth, the Indian agent, was in 1829; and he died opposite Clarksville, Missouri, about the commencement of 1830. He evidently was not living in July of that year, when the treaty with his people was held at Prairie du Chien, as his name does not appear among the signatures. He is represented by those who knew him as not tall, but heavily formed; not intel- lectual, nor did he appear to possess any of the traits of a noble warrior. He was a great beggar, of little influence among his people, with a character not always free from tarnish. L. C. D.

144 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

of the Rapids very diflScult to ascend. I stopped a while at the Little Fox village, 9 miles above the Rapids, gave them a few goods ; they pressed me much for some whisky, but I refused them, saying I did not mean to give any Indians any liquor, as it occasioned them to do mischief. Came to-day about 22 miles.

Sunday, 27th. Yesterday being the warmest day I had ex- perienced since I left St. Louis, last night was equally bad for musquitoes, for I did not sleep half an hour all night. We set out early this morning, and with the assistance of a side wind a few hours in the afternoon, we encamped at the lower end of Ground Apple Prairie — distance to-day, 24 miles.

Monday, 28th. I set out as usual early, but the water close along shore becoming too deep for the poles, the men had to pull along by the bushes, which was slow traveling ; we made out, however, to come to-day eighteen miles, which is well employing the time, considering the heavy gusts of rain we experienced almost all the forenoon.

Tuesday, 29th. Much rain fell last night and this morning. I had the sail hoisted, but the wind being quartering, assisted us but little, but gradually came around ahead ; took in our sail, wind blew so hard ahead that we were compelled to put on shore, and lay by until late in the afternoon. Two men sick to-day, which makes the work come harder on the others. We came only twelve miles to-day.

Wednesday, 30th. The wind blowing hard down the river all night. I supposed it would fall by sunrise. In this I was mistaken, for the wind blew harder as the sun rose, yet we got a few miles to a safe shelter when we were completely wind- bound.

My interpreter, G. Lucie, has been upwards of twenty-five years from Canada, and has passed most of his time about the different lead mines and Prairie du Chien, but principally in the employ of a Mr. Dubuque, who died some years ago at what is called Dubuque mines. We made only twelve miles to-day, being wind bound most of the time.

Thursday, 1st July. Arose early ; appearance of a fine day. About nine o'clock an air of wind ahead. Saw two Indians hunting turtle eggs on a small sandy island. The wind began

MA J. Forsyth's narrative. 145

to blow hard. Made out to get to Death's-Head creek, where we waited three or four hours until the wind abated. Set out, and encamped within two miles of Dubuque's mines, having come to-day 28 miles, which is good work after losing much time from head winds. While laying at Death's-Head creek, a Fox Indian came to m}^ boat, and told me two boats lashed together had passed down the river last night. I suppose these must be the contractors' boats returning from Prairie du Chien, and going down to St. Louis.

Friday, 2d. I set out early, in hopes of having a calm day ; wind ahead almost all daj^, with a strong current. Met four discharged soldiers, from Prairie du Chien, going down to St. Louis in a skiff. They enquired how far it was to the mines. Told them 10 to 12 miles. They said they had left Prairie du| Chien yesterday, and that the 5th regiment arrived there on Wednesday from Green Bay.

Saturday, 3d. The Mississippi continues to be very high. Our progress was much impeded to-day, owing to the men not being able to find bottom with their poles. Encamped about three miles above Turkey river. Distance to-day 24 miles, which was a good day's journey, as I was detained about an hour at the Fox village giving the Indians some presents.

Sunday, 4th. Yesterday evening I saw a comet similar to the one of 1811. It appeared to me to be in the same quarter, N. N. W. The sight of this comet brought to my memory the disasters that befel many the following year, myself being one among the many. Never shall I forget the disasters of the poor and unfortunate people of Peoria, a small village of French, on the Illinois river. After their property was taken by the Indians, and a banditti of ruffians from Shawanoe town under the command of Captain Thomas E. Craig, we were taken down (as malefactors) prisoners, and set adrift on the shore of the Mississippi at Savage's ferr^^ Many poor unfor- tunates, with wives and three and four children, had not a blanket to cover them, nor a second change to their back. Many of their kettles and pots were seen among Craig's men, yet they would not give them up. A fellow by the name of Hitchcock, with two or three other armed men, went into a house, which was in charge of an old man of upwards of fifty

146 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

years of age, and took away a quantity of sugar. Indeed, I could fill pages with the atrocities committed by this banditti at Peoria.

I set out this morning with a view, if possible, to reach Prairie du Chien, but having no wind in our favor, and current strong, we could get no further than the mouth of the Ouiscon- sin. Distance to-day 24 miles.

Monday, 5th. I arrived to-day about' nine o'clock A. M., at Prairie du Chien, and immediately the wind sprang up and blew a fresh breeze. This was vexing, as I had experienced five days of head winds successively. /l found here waiting my arrival, the Eed Wing's son, a Sioux Indian, who wished to be considered something, with a band of followers. He invited me to a talk, and after relating the loss of one of his young men who was killed by the Chippewas, he expressed a wish that I would take pity on all present, and give them some goods. All this was a begging speech. I told him that I meant to go up with the troops to the river St. Peter's, and on my way up I would stop at their different villages where I would speak to them, and give them a few goods. Here I had nothing to say, as I could not give any goods at this place, because it required goods to give weight to words, and make them understand me well. Yet he is such a beggar, that he would not take any refusal. I got up in an abrupt manner, and left him and band, to study awhile. The Leaf,^ the principal chief of the Sioux, arrived this evening. /

Tuesday, 6th. The Kettle chief, with a band of Foxes, arrived here to-day, to make arrangements with Mr. Partney about selling him the ashes at the different mines. A boat belonging to the contractor, arrived to-day, loaded with pro- visions for the troops, in 25 days from Wood river.

Wednesday, 7th. The contractor's boat left this day, to return to Wood river.

Thursday, 8th. A young Folic Avoine^ stabbed a young Sioux in a fit of jealousy to-day, near the fort. He was in liquor.

Friday, 9th. The Sioux Indians yesterday seized on the

1 Wabasha.

2 Menomonee, or Wild Rice, tribe.

MAJ. Forsyth's narrative. 147

FoUe Avoine Indian who had stabbed the young Sioux, and kept him in confinement, well tied and guarded by a few young Sioux ; but the Sioux chiefs sent for the Folle Avoine, and made him a present of a blanket and some other articles of clothing, and made him and the young Sioux whom he had stabbed, eat out of the same dish together, thus forgiving and forgetting the past.

Sunday, 11. Every day since my arrival at this place, the wind has blown up the river ; to-day it came around south and with rain — wind settled at northwest. .

Monday, 12th. The Red Wing's son is still here a begging. He invited me to talk with him in council yesterday. This I refused, as I did not wish to be troubled with such a fellow.

Tuesday, 13th. Much rain this morning ; wind southwest.

Wednesday, 14th. Some Winnebagoes arrived from head- waters of Bocky river and Portage of Ouisconsin. These fel- lows are scientific beggars. Wind north.

Thursday, 15th. /Yesterday evening the Red Wing's son's band of Sioux Indians set out for their homes, and I am glad of it, for they are a troublesome set of beggars. The wind blows hard from the north to-day, which makes it much cooler than it has been for many days before. /

Friday, 16th. The wind continues to blow hard from the north, and the weather is still cool. Two men arrived this evening from Grreen Bay in a canoe.

Saturday, 17th. Mr. Boutillier arrived here to-day from Green Bay. Mr. Shaw also arrived here to-day from St. Louis in a canoe, having left his horses at Rocky Island. He informs me that he left Bell Fontaine on the 15th ult. ; that the recruits destined for Mississippi set out on the day before and may be expected shortly.

Sunday, 18th. Took a ride out in the country. Found some of the situations handsome, but the farmers are poor hands at cultivation. Flour, $10 per cwt. ; corn, $3 per bushel ; eggs, $1 per doz. ; chickens, $1 to $1.25 a couple. Butter, none made.

Monday, 19th. A little rain, and cool all day. Mr. Shaw

left to-day to return home.

Thursday, 22d. A fine wind up the river to-day, with much 20

148 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

rain. iThe old Red Wing, a Sioux chief, with about twenty of his followers, arrived to-day. This is another begging ex- pedition. \

Friday, 23d. The wind still up the river, with some rain. The old Red Wing and I had a long talk, and, as I supposed, the whole purport was begging.

Saturday, 24th. Having heard n>uch talk about Carver's claim to land at or near St. Peter's river, and understanding that the Red Wing knew or said something about it last year, curiosity led me to make enquiries of him, having now an oppor- tunity. He told me he remembered of hearing his father say, that lands lying on the east side of Lake Pepin, known by the name of the old wintering places, were given to an English- man ; that he is now an old man (about sixt)^ years of age), and does not himself remember the transactions. I wished to continue the conversation, but the old man did not like it, and therefore I did not press it.

Monday, 26th. Captain Hickman and family left this place to-day in an open boat for St. Louis. Wind north, and another warm day.

Wednesday, 28th. A boat arrived here from Green Bay.

Thursday, 29th. This is the warmest day I have experi- enced this season, although there blew a hard wind up the river all day.

Friday, 30th. Yesterday evening the war party of Foxes, • who had been on the hunt of some of the Sioux of the interior, returned without finding any. Much wind and rain this morn- ing. I returned Mr. Moore three dollars, which Mr. Aird gave me last September, to buy him some articles, which could not be procured.

Saturday, 31st. Wind light up the river; no boats, no re- cruits, no news, nor anything else from St. Louis.

Sunday, August Ist. Major Marston set out to-day early with twenty-seven troops in three boats to garrison Fort Arm- strong at Rocky Island. The boat which brought the sutler's goods from Green Bay a few days since, set out to-day to return home. Some rain to-day ; weather warm.

Monday, 2d. Thank God a boat loaded with ordnance and

MA J. Forsyth's narrative. 149

stores of different kinds arrived to-day, and said a provision boat would arrive to-morrow, but no news of the recruits.

Wednesday, 4th. This mprning the provision boat arrived. No news from St. Louis. This boat brings news of having passed a boat with troops on board destined for this place. Some of the men say two boats. Some rain to-day.

Thursday, 5th. Much rain last night. Col. Leavenworth^ is determined to set out on the 7th, if things can be got ready for the expedition to St. Peter's. The Colonel has very prop- erly, in my opinion, engaged the two large boats now here, with as many of the men belonging to the boats as will remain to accompany the expedition, their contents being wanted for the new establishment at St. Peters. Without the assistance of these two boats, it would appear impossible for the expedition to go on.

Friday, 6th. Yesterday evening some Frenchmen who would not agree to go any further up the Mississippi, set out for St. Louis in a bark canoe. This morning, eight discharged sol- diers set out from this place for St. Louis in a skiff.

Saturday, 7th. Everj' exertion was made to get off to-day ; but impossible. A fine wind up the river.

Sunday, 8th. This morning the Colonel told me that he would be ready in an hour, and about eight o'clock we set out) r' for river St. Peter's. The troops, consisting of 98 rank andf ^ file, in fourteen batteaux and two large boats, loaded with pro- visions and ordnance, and stores of different kinds, as also my boat and a barge belonging to the Colonel, making seventeen boats ; and in the whole. 98 soldiers and about 20 boatmen. I felt myself quite relieved when we got under way. We made to-day 18 miles.

Monday, 9th. Set out early. A thick fog ; it cleared away and a fair wind sprung up, when at times we made great

1 Gen. Henry Leavekworth was born in Connecticut, Dec. 10, 1783. When the war of 1812 broke out, he was practising law. He was commissioned Capt. in the 25th Infantry in April, 1812; promoted to Major of 9th Infantry Aug., 1813; brevetted Lieut. Col. and Col. for distinguished services at Chippewa, July 5, 1814, and at Ni- agara Falls, where he was wounded. He was appointed Lt. Col. of the 5th Infantry Feb., 1818. Became Brev. Brig. Gen. July, 1824, and Col. 3d Infantry Dec. 16, 1825. He established various military posts on the frontier, one of which, now the flour- ishing city of Leavenworth, Kansas, perpetuates his name. He died at Cross Tim^ bers, Texas, July 21, 1834. W.

150 ^ MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

headway. We this day found the body of A. Aunger, and buried it. We encamped a little below Iowa river, having came to-day 35 miles.

Tuesday, 10th. /This day we set out late, and stopped some time with the Bourgne, or One-Eyed Sioux^^ and his followers who had come from their village on the Iowa river, and placed themselves on the banks of the Mississippi to be in readiness to receive anything we might have to give them. I gave them a little powder and milk,^ they agreeing with me that it was better to give the blankets, etc., to the Indians above, as they were most in want. We encamped opposite Raccoon creek. Distance to-day /twenty-two miles ; we were assisted by the wind to-day. A

Wednesday, 11th. We set out early this morning, but lost some time at breakfast, and we also lost the wind, as it fell.

1" The Bourgne," [Pr. bourgeon, an eye?] whose Dakota name was Ta-ha-ma, or ••The Rising Moose," though often called the "Old Priest" by the old settlers and bv the French, V Orignal Leve, was one of the most remarkable men of his nation. He was a great orator and diplomatist, and had much influence among the Dakotas. He was born at Prairie Aux Ailes, (Winona,) and in his younger days was noted for his intelligence, daring and activity. During a game in boyhood, one eye was accidentally destroyed, giving him the peculiarity by which he was always known. In person he was tall and of a fine appearance, muscular and active, even to the day of his death. In his younger days he performed innumerable feats of daring, strength and endurance. He figured prominently in the treaty between Pike and the Sioux chiefs in 1805. Pike refers to him in terms of confidence and respect, and calls him " my friend." During the war of 1812 he rendered most valuable ser- vices to the American cause. With one exception, he was the only Sioux who remained friendly to us in that contest. Gov. Clark, of St. Louis, employed him as a scout and messenger. In this capacity he undertook long journeys alone, braved many dangers and endured much hardship. Col. Dickson, the British leader, once had him arrested at Prairie du Chienand threatened him with death unless he would reveal information he was supposed to have, but Ta-ha-mie bravely and firmly refused to betray his cause. He was imprisoned some time, but finally released. Gov. Clark esteemed his services highly, and on May 6th, 1816, gave him a commis- sion as chief of the Sioux nation, together with a Captain's uniform and a medal. He kept these to the day of his death, and was very proud of them. His services to our cause, his ability and intelligence, his high sense of honor, and his noble bearing, all made him highly esteemed and respected by the whites during his subsequent life. All the early pioneers of the Northwe-^t knew him, and he was a welcome guest at their houses. A very good daguerreotype likeness of him, procured at Wabasha in 1859 by Hon. Chas. S. Bryant, has been presented by the latter to the Society. Ta-ha-ma died in April, 1860. He was then at least 85 years of age, though some who knew him well place his age at nearly 100. His natural vigor however, was but little abated, and his mind clear, recalling the stirring events of his long and active career. At the name of Pike, his eye would kindle, and his manner become infused with animation. W.

2 Whisky. L. C. D.

MAJ. porsyth's narrative. 151

Some rain to day. Encamped about three miles above Bandy Prairie. Distance to-day eighteen miles.

Thursday, 12th. The wind ahead. The large boats detained us much to-day, yet we made twenty-one miles, and encamped six miles below La Montaine qui trempe a Veau.

Friday, 13th. We set out early. The Mississippi begins to become more shallow. The provision boat occasions much trouble to-day, owing to her being very heavily laden. / We made the Leaf's village this evening, a distance of only twelve miles. On my arrival to-day, I had a talk with the Leaf. I told him that the President of the United States had sent me to acquaint the Sioux Indians that these troops which he saw encamped on that island, were sent up to build a fort at the mouth of river St. Peter's ; that he must not think that any- thing bad was intended ; that a fort at St. Peters would answer two purposes for the Sioux — first, it would be a place that any little thing they might want repaired by the blacksmith would be done for them, and also be a place of trade ; secondly, their enemies would not be allowed to injure any of the Sioux Indi- ans at or near the fort, but at the same time the Sioux must not injure any Chippewas that might visit the fort ; that if their Great Father, the President, meant them any harm, he would not send a man of my years, having so many gray hairs in his head as I have, to do anything but what was good. Here (pointing to Col. Leavenworth) is the chief of the soldiers belonging to your Great Father ; should, at any time, any of his young men do anything wrong, complain to him. He will render you every justice in his power, and both him and myself will expect that if any of your young men should do what is not right, you, as the head chief, will render justice equally in the same way when the Colonel complains to you.

The river Mississippi is free as much so for you as for any other Indians, and I hope all boats or craft of any kind belong- ing to white people, or any white people traveling by land through 3^our country, will not be molested, but allowed to pass and repass as they may think proper.

You must remember that all the white people on the other side of the great waters are now at peace, and your Great Father, the President of the United States, is also at peace

152 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

with all the world. Yet he is prepared for war. He has many soldiers, and at one blow from his whistle he can get as many more soldiers as he wants. He has many vessels on the great waters, and every year is building more. He don't wish for war, and is not the first to begin, but will not lay still and allow his young men to be killed without revenging them. You may suppose the President has not forgotten your assisting the British in the last war ; but in this you are wrong if you think so. You have made a treaty of peace with your Great Father, and every thing is over ; but beware of the bad birds that come from that northern quarter. When they tell you, or want to tell you anything that you think is bad, put your fingers in your ears. I could talk to you all da\^, and all night too, on this subject, but it would be telling you things that you know as well as I do. I have only to say, that I have put you in the straight path, and if you leave it, or make it crooked, it will not be my fault. Remember well what I have this day told you, and all news that I may hear that relates to you, I will always make you acquainted with. Here is a blanket, a pipe of tobacco, and some powder. It is but little, but you well knowvthat I have many children to see before I return home, and I must give every one a little.

He accepted of the presents with thanks, and, after sundown, he came aboard of my boat to visit me, and conversed on many subjects. This man is no beggar, nor does he drink, and perhaps I may say he is the only man in the Sioux nation of this description, y

Saturday, 14th. All the boats set out earl}^ this morning. As each boat passed the village, they returned the salute of yesterday. The channel of the river is becoming more diflScult, and the large boats were much impeded to-day. Although we had a fair wind part of the day, we only came twelve miles, and encamped on an island near the Tumbling Rock.

Sunday, 15th. A head wind to-day, and being detained by the provision boat, encamped a mile above Driftwood river, a distance of ten miles.

Monday, 16th. Set out early. Great appearance of wind. Hoisted sail ; but of little use. Encamped at the Grand En- campment, having come to-day twenty miles.

MAj. Forsyth's narrative. 153

Tuesday, 17th. We set out in a great fog, and made the lower end of Lake Pepin, a distance only of nine miles. We encamped early for two reasons ; first, because we had not time to cross the lake ; secondly, because the soldiers had to draw provisions and wash their dirty linen.

Wednesday, 18th. This day was calm and warm. We crossed Lake Pepin with ease, and encamped about two miles below the Red Wing's village. Distance to-day, twenty-two miles. I

Thursday, 19th. HVe set out early this morning. Had a little talk with the Red Wing at his village. Gave him some goods. He was much pleased with his present. His son is exactly what I took him to be — a trifling, begging, discontented fellow./ The weather was very warm to-day ; not a breath of air stiiTing, and one of my men sick, yet we made out to come twenty-four miles, and encamped at the mouth of the river St. Croix. This is a large river, and I am told heads near to Lake Superior.

Friday, 20th. We set out this morning in a calm. About 12 o'clock the wind blew up fair but light, yet the air was much refreshed. We encamped this evening at Medicine Wood, a distance of twenty-four miles. The big boats did not get up till after sundown. Medicine Wood takes its name from a large beech tree, which kind of wood the Sioux are not acquainted with, and supposing that the Great Spirit has placed it there as a genii to protect or punish them according to their merits or demerits.

Saturday, 21st. Again we were early under way this morn- ing. The day was rainy, and the wind nearly, and in some places quite, ahead, yet the Colonel in his barge, and I in my boat, made out to get to Little Crow's village, about four o'clock in the afternoon, a distance of twenty-one miles. \ We had a talk with Little Crow.^ His independent manner, I like. I made him a very handsome present, for which he was very thankful, and said it was more than he expected. i

1 This was the father of the chief of the same name who was so prominent in the outbreak of 1862, and met his death the year following. In the paper by Gen. Sibley to be found in a subsequent part of this volume, his character is strikingly sketched.

W.

154 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

Sunday, 22d. Yesterday evening the Colonel descended to his camp, and said he would be up with the expedition early this morning ; but a very hard wind ahead prevented the boats from being able to stem the current, and continued so all day. I was anxious to go on, as we were only fifteen miles from St. Peters.

Monday, 23d. All the boats got up by 8 o'clock, and after breakfast \^e set out, and 1 pushed on by myself, and arrived at the mouth of St. Peters about four o'clock in the afternoon. This is the second da3' I have been unwell.

Tuesday, 24th. This morning Col. Leavenworth arrived in his barge, and was busily employed almost all day in finding a proper place to make an establishment. He at length pitched on a place immediately at the mouth of St. Peter's river, on its right bank, where, on the arrival of the soldiers, they were immediately set to work in making roads up the bank of the river, cutting down trees, etc. T have been very ill to-day.

Wednesday, 25th. Yesterday evening Pinichon and the White Bustard arrived with many followers, and wished me to go to work immediately ; but it being late, and I being very unwell, I put business off until to-day, when after a long talk I gave them a very handsome present, and they returned home apparently satisfied.

Thursday, 26th. Yesterday evening three chiefs arrived with many followers, viz. : The Six,^ whose village is thirty miles up the river St. Peter's ; the Arrow, twenty-four miles still higher,^ and the Killiew (thus named from a species of eagle) whose village is six miles still higher. They wished to go about business immediately ; but it was too late. This morning we met and had some talk, but I by no means liked the countenance of Mr. Six, nor did I like his talk ; I gave them the remainder of my goods, yet the Six wanted more. Not having any more, they had to do without. I found on enquiring that Mr. Six is a good-for-nothing fellow, and rather gives bad counsel to his 3"Oung men than otherwise. In all my talks with those Indians, I generall}' told them the same I told the Leaf ; and in all cases I had to give each band a

1 Sha-k' pat. 2Le Sueur prairie.

MA J. FORSYTH'S NARRATIVE. 155

little whisky. These are the last Indians I am to see in this quarter ; therefore I am clone with the Sioux for this year.

Friday, 27th. Much rain last night, and very blustering to-da}^, which prevents my going up to visit the Falls, being a distance of nine miles.

Saturday, 28th. I set out early this morning, accompanied by Col. Leavenworth, Major Vose,^ Dr. Purcell,^ Lt. Clark^ and Mrs. Gooding,'' to visit the Falls of St. Anthony. My boat being strong manned, we made good headway, but the more we approached the Falls, the stronger the rapids became. I left the boat with one man to guard it, and we set out by land, having only a distance of one mile to walk to the Falls. In going out of a thick woods into a small prairie, we had a full view of the Falls from one side to the other, a distance of about four or five hundred yards. The sight to me was beau- tiful ; the white sheet of water falling perpendicularly, as I should suppose, about twenty feet — but Gen. Pike says he measured and found it sixteen and a half feet — over the differ- ent precipices ; in other parts, rolls of water, at different distances, falling like so many silver cords, while about the island large bodies of water were rushing through great blocks of rocks, tumbling every way, as if determined to make war against anything that dared to approach them. All this was astonishing to me who never saw the like before. After view- ing the Falls from the prairie for some time, we approached nearer, and by the time we got up to the Falls, the noise of the falling water appeared to me to be awful. I sat down on the bank and feasted my eyes, for a considerable time, in viewing the falling waters, and the rushing of large torrents through and among the broken and large blocks of rocks, thrown in

IJosiAH H. VosE was a native of Massachusetts. He served as Captain and Major in the war of 1812, and in May, 1815, was appointed Capt. and Bvt, Maj. in the 5th Infantry. Promoted to Maj. Dec.,lS20; Lt. Col. 3d Inf. in 1830, and Col. of 4th Inf. 1842. He died July 15, 1845, near New Orleans. W.

2 Dr. Edwakd Purcell was a native of Virginia. He was appointed Surgeon of the Fifth Infantry, July, 1818, and stationed at Ft. iSnelling after that post was estab- lished. He died there Jan. 11, 1825. W.

3 Lieut. Nathan Clark was Post Commissary for several years. On page 77 of this volume a sketch of his life is given. W.

4 Mrs. GooDiNa is said to be, and probably was, the first white woman who ever saw St. Anthony's Falls. She was the wife of Capt. Geobgb Goodikg, of the 5th Regimen \ W.

21

156 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

every direction by some great convulsion of nature. Several of the company crossed over to the island above the Falls, the water being shallow. The company having returned from the island, tkey told me that they had attempted to cross over the channel on the other side of the island, but the water was too deep, and they say the greatest quantity of water descends on the other or north-east side of the island. We proceeded to the boat and embarked, and was down at the encampment at sundown.

Sunday, 29th. I this day accompanied Col. Leavenworth in his barge up the St. Peters river to the White Bustard and Pinichon's villages — a distance to the first village of four miles, and to the second village two miles higher, at which the Colonel enquired if any horses were for sale. These Indians, however, having few horses, had none to dispose of.

Monday, 30th. Having fully finished my business, and the Indians preparing to go off to their hunting places, I set out to return home. I left the encampment about ten o'clock, and made Medicine Wood against a hard head wind.

Tuesday, 31st. The wind is still ahead, yet we worked down, and came to anchor after sundown, at the upper end of Lake Pepin.

Wednesday, Sept. 1st. This morning very early we heard the report of a cannon on the other side of an island. The Colonel, who was on board of my boat, said, those must be the expected recruits. We immediately weighed anchor, and ascended to the upper part of the island, to get into the other channel, and to be ahead of the boats. We accordingly met two large boats and a batteau with 120 recruits on board, bound to river St. Peter's. The Colonel having business with the officers, we were detained about two hours, and also, to aggravate us the more, the wind was ahead, a very bad circum- stance for us to cross Lake Pepin. With much difficulty, we made the Little Point au Sable, where I came to in a good harbor, with an expectation that the wind would fall towards evening ; but, on the contrary, the wind raised and blew hard all night. I was very uneasy and did not sleep all night. After daylight I laid down, and gave orders to the patroon,

MAJ. FORSYTH S NARRATIVE. 157

that as soon as the wind should fall sufflcieatly, to set out and make the best of our way.

Thursday, 2d. I awoke about 8 o'clock this morning, and found the boat under way. After doubling the great Point au Sable, we worked well to the windward shore, and then hoisted sail. The wind was on our beam, and blew fresh. We stretched across the lake, which was very boisterous, and we shipped some water, yet we held our own as to the lee way, and went on at an amazing rate, and the wind served us almost all day, and found ourselves at sundown at the upper end of Wing Prairie, where we stopped to cook some provisions, hav- ing come to-day, sixty miles. We set out as soon as our provisions were cooked, and the men rowed a considerable distance down and then let the boat drive with the current all night. The river is now higher than when we ascended.

Friday, 3d. Between rowing and drifting last night, we came nine miles, and from daylight to sundown to-day we came sixty miles more. Met Mr. Robertson to-day ascending the river to winter in river St. Peter's. This has been a calm da}^

Saturday, 4th. The current is strong in this part of the Mississippi, and by keeping in the middle of the channel we drifted about twelve miles, when a gust compelled us to put on shore for the remainder of the night ; but as soon as daylight appeared this morning, we set out with a head wind. We met Mr. Moore, who returned back with us, having forgotten some papers, and we arrived at Prairie du Chien about three o'clock in the afternoon.

Sunday, 5th. Mr. Moore set out to-day in a canoe to rejoin his boat, which he had left yesterday when he met us. He is going up to winter among the Yanktons in St. Peter's river.

Monday, 6th. A warm day. I was much astonished to meet my old friend G. E. , here on my arrival on Saturday last. He gave me a history of his ups and downs since we parted, about seventeen years ago. Poor fellow, he has experienced such days as required much fortitude to support. During the late war he rendered much service to the United States, and, like many good fellows, was poorly recompensed for his trouble. I wish him every success, because he is deserving of it. He is

158 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

now engaged largely in the Indian trade. He has a wife and six children.

Tuesday, 7th. Much rain fell last night. The Mississippi has been raising for several days. This day about 11 o'clock 1 left Prairie du Chien for home. At sundown we had come twenty-seven miles. Stopped to cook near Turkey river.

Wednesday, 8th. Much rain again last night. A fine wind down the river to-day. What we drove last night, and what we made by sailing to-day, we came eighty-seven miles.

Thursday, 9th. We came during last night and to-day to the head of Rocky river rapids, being a distance of sixty-six miles.

Friday, 10th. We set out early ; found the water in the rapids much troubled, and decently high for the season. Ar- rived at Fort Armstrong. Major M.^ and Lieut. G. behaved very politely to me.

Saturday, 11th. I remained at Fort Armstrong until this morning, waiting for papers that were to be put in the post office at St. Louis. Set out ; much rain to-day, and wind some- times ahead, yet we made out to come by sundown fifty-one miles.

Sunday, 12th. We having got under way early this morn- ing with a head wind, which continued hard all day ; but we made the Flint Hills, therefore we came during last night and to-day forty-two miles.

Monday, 13th. We experienced a very heavy rain last evening, but it cleared up, and we pushed off. Found this morning we had drifted about fifteen miles. Last night we met -a boat belonging to Col. McNair near the upper end of the river Des Moines rapids ; several men sick ; the boat was lying ashore three miles lower down. We saw another boat on shore on the east side of the Mississippi. We arrived in the evening at Fort Edwards, where stopped a couple hours. We came to-day about thirty-three miles.

Tuesday, 14th. We set out from Fort Edwards yesterday evening after sundown 1o drive with the current ; but the wind blew us on shore, where we remained all night. Set out early

1 Probably Major Mabston. L. C. D.

159

with quartern wind ; we halted a little after sundown six miles below Saverton, having come to-day ninety-nine miles.

Wednesday, 15th. We drifted last night twenty-one miles. Met Mr. Belt a few miles above Clarksville. On my arrival there, found Mr. Pheling very unwell indeed, and am told that there have been many deaths at Louisianaville. The people all through this country are very sickly ; at sundown we were six miles above Gap au Gre, having come last night and to- night seventy-two miles.

Thursday, 16th. Having drifted about twelve miles last night, and made some narrow escapes from sawyers at the head of Gap au Gre island, which gave me much uneasiness during the night, set out early with the intention of getting down to St. Louis, if possible, for which reason I would not stop at Portage des Sioux, and the men worked hard, but finding we could not arrive there until after sundown, I thought it pru- dent to encamp above Isle au Gabare, not wishing to endanger the boat in the dark.

Friday, 17th. We arrived at St. Louis about 8 o'clock this morning, after an absence of three and a half months.

From the extreme heat of the summer I am much surprised ' that I and my men were not more sick than we were ; for let any man who is accustomed to traveling in a boat on the Mis- sissippi for three and a half months during a very warm sum- mer, drinking very bad water, sleeping out in the dews to avoid being devoured by musquitoes, and to get but little rest during the short nights, and say that such hardships are not sufficient to ruin the constitution of any man ; and it must be people who have been bred to the like who are able to with- stand and overcome all such hardships. Col. Leavenworth set out from Prairie du Chien with 98 men ; and on his arrival at the St. Peter's, upwards of one-half were sick. These men were only sixteen or seventeen days on the water ; what then would have been the consequence if they had been two or three months on the water? Perhaps there would not have been a sufficiency of well men to attend on the sick.

I had thought that the countr}^ above Prairie du Chien was equal at least to the country about the Prairie ; but in this I was much mistaken, for instead of finding a fine country, with

160 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

good lands, and plenty of good timber, I found a mountainous, broken, rocky and sterile country, not fit for either man or beast to live in.^ I did not see, either in going up to St. Peter's or coming down, any one kind of wild animal — no, not even a squirrel. I saw but few ducks ; it was not the season for them, it is true, but I had thought more might have been seen ; wild pigeons were plenty ; fish, but few to be had from the Indians, although there are plenty to be caught, particularly in the rapids above St. Peter's. I cannot conceive what view Carver had in getting lands from the Indians in such an in- hospitable region as he did ; not that I mean to say his claim is good or bad, by any means, but how a man could select such a country is beyond my penetration, except that it was to look like something great on paper, among a people who might think the country there described was equal to their own in goodness and everything else. I have never seen a copy of the deed from the Indians to Carver ; but I am informed that two signatures only are to the deed ; one is a Snake, the other a Turtle ; when shown to the Indians they objected to the Tur- tle, by saying they had no tribe of that description in their nation, and must be a fraud ; or, if marked on the paper by an Indian, it must have been done by an Indian of another tribe, or out of a joke. One Indian only, that I can find out, knows anything about this claim ; he says that, when a boy, he remembers to have heard his father say that an Englishman came among the Sioux Indians and asked for land, which was given him, and he promised to return next year with a large quantity of merchandise to give to the Sioux Indians, but that they never have seen this Englishman since. It appears to me to stand to reason that a man who would promise to deliver 8,000 blankets as one article, as I am told the deed speaks for that enormous number,^ would willingly promise anything else.

1 Maj. Forsyth appears to have conceived but a poor idea of the capabilities of this region. But it must be observed that his entire route was along the river, ■where the headlands and bluflfs do seem "mountainous, broken, rocky and ster- ile." Our more recent settlers, however, found that these frowning outworks only enclosed a region unexcelled for rich soil and every advantage for agricultural in- dustry. W.

2 By reference to the deed, it will be seen that Maj. Foksyth was misinformed on this point. L. C. D.

MA J. Forsyth's narrative. 1^1

/ The Sioux Indians were celebrated for their hospitality and ' goodness toward strangers, and more particularly toward the whites. Anything that a white man would ask them was granted, if it were possible to do so. They knew nothing about intrigue, and supposed that every person who came to their country was a friend. Father Hennepin, who was the first white man who ever visited the upper parts of the Mis- sissippi, speaks of the Naudowissies (Sioux) as patterns to the civilized part of creation. Indeed, he speaks of them in raptures, as if they were really his own ancestors. Every- thing that a man could say of another set of men Father Hen- nepin said of the Sioux ; but I am sorry to say that they are at the present day (1819) much altered. How this alteration has taken place, or what has occasioned it, can be attributed only to their too great intercourse with those whom we call civilized people ; for I can now safely say that, whatever the Sioux might have been, they are now actually a poor, indolent, beggarly, drunken set of Indians and cowards. You can see nothing of the genuine Indian in them. You see nothing of that Indian independence, or of that enterprising character as hunters or warriors, nor do you sec a robust, stout,^able-bodied people who may be found in more southern latitudes. y^\ mentioned to Little Crow, one of the principal chiefs of \ the Sioux Indians, the barbarous war that existed between them and the Chippewas, and if there was not a possibility of bringing about a peace between the two nations. He observed ^ that a peace could easily be made, but said it is better for us to carry on the war in the way we do than to make peace, be- cause, he added, we lose a man or two in the course of a year, and we kill as many of the enemy during the same time ; and if we were to make peace, the Chippewas would over-run all the country lying between the Mississippi and Lake Superior, and have their villages on the banks of the Mississippi itself. In this case we, the Sioux, would lose all our hunting grounds on the northeast side of the river ; why then, said he, should we give up such an extensive country to another nation to save the lives of a man or two annually? I know, said he, it is not good to go to, or make *\rar too much, or against too many peo- ple. But this is a war for land which must always exist if the

162 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

Sioux Indians remain in the same opinion that now guides them. I found the Indian's reason so good that I said no more on the subject to him.

To give an idea of their mode of carrying on war, I will here cite one instance of the cowardly disposition of the Sioux Indians. When I arrived at the Little Crow's village, he told me that a party of fifty of his young men had gone off to war five days before, and expected them back in a few days. After my arrival at the river St. Peter's, I was informed that the war party had got back, and reported that they fell in with two Chippewas, at whom the whole fifty fired at one time, kill- ing one and wounding the other, who got behind a tree, and there the fifty Sioux left him. Thus, you see, the bravery of the Sioux. /

Much has been written, and much more has been said about the different customs and manners of the Indians, and a man well acquainted with them might write volumes respecting the Indians, and many people would think them fabulous ; but let any man go and live with the Indians, and he will find that they follow the old Jewish customs and manners. They may, in some things, diflfer from the Jewish customs, but not mate- rially. Those Indians who have had less intercourse with the whites, their customs and manners come nearest the Jewish customs. It is very well known that Indians who never saw white people all agree that there is a Good and Evil Spirit ; the former, they say, is too good to trouble himself about the poor mortals of the earth, but that the Evil Spirit is always waiting for an opportunity to injure them or to instigate them to do mischief.

To a stranger it would seem odd that all the Indians are so much attached to the British Government ; but to a man who is well acquainted with the Indians this can be easily accounted for. The British Government will not appoint any man to the place of Indian Agent, without he can speak some one of the In- dian languages. In this case it is to be supposed that he is ac- quainted with the manners and customs of the Indians. All the goods for the Indian trade are British goods ; and as American traders are all for cheap articles, of course they are inferior. Poor goods are always regarded as of American

MAJ. FORSYTH*S NARRATIVE. 163

manufacture. A man is appointed an agent in the interior of the Union, who perhaps never saw an Indian until he came to the agency. How, then, can it be supposed that a man who knows nothing about Indians can do anytliing with them? Alas ! it is in this way that treaties are made by men who do not know the Indian character, and promise fifty things to the Indians with a prior intention to put them off. It will not an- swer. If we follow the golden rule, to "do unto others as we would wish to be done by," we will soon see the good effects of such humane treatment ; but as long as we continue to pursue our present ignorant system of Indian affairs, we will always be in the dark, and the hatred of the Indian race will be handed down to successive generations. What an alteration would we perceive in the Indians if they were treated according to the old Penn system of former times. The followers of George Fox and William Penn could do much for the poor aborigines, and if they were on our frontiers, instead of the present race of beings, much good would result to the whites as well as to the Indians.

MAJ. THOMAS FORSYTH TO GOV. WM. CLARK.^

St. Louis, Sept. 23, 1819. Some time in the month of May last, I was informed that the fifth Regiment of Infantry was ordered from Detroit by way of Green Bay and Prairie du Chi en, to build a fort at the mouth of St. Peter's river, and I was also told that Col. At- kinson had been inquiring if I had set out for Prairie du Chien, saying I would be late if I did not soon do so. I immedi- ately made the necessary arrangements and left this place to ascend the Mississippi the beginning of June, and took and delivered to the Sauks and Foxes at Fort Armstrong their an- nuities for 1818 ; a receipted invoice of these goods I have forwarded to the Superintendent of Indian Trade, as by your direction.

1 Transcribed from Maj. Forsyth's MS. Letter Book. L. C. J).

22

164 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

After I had delivered the goods, I demanded of the Sauk chiefs the trunk containing the clothes and money, said to have been taken from an officer by a Sauk Indian named the Big Eagle, and others of the same nation, last spring, on the Mis- souri river ; and in the affray it was said that the Big Eagle was wounded in the head. I can assure you that this chief had not been wounded when I saw him in June last, and from the best information I could collect, the Sauks must have left the Missouri river previous to the time the officer was said to have been robbed. A soldier, the only person who was with the officer when this affair happened, tells a very different story to what was told you. The Sauk chiefs denied of ever having heard of this offence, and declared in public coimcil before the officer commanding and others, that if any of their people had done anything amiss, they, the chiefs, would be the first to ac- quaint me of it, or restore the property thus taken.

According to orders I received from the War Department, I made a handsome present to the two brothers of the Sauk In- dian who was killed by Samuel Thompson, last winter, near Bear creek. Pike county, in this Territory. This I did in pres- ence of the chiefs, telling them if they accepted of the goods, never to say hereafter that an American had killed their brother They accepted of the goods, and we parted appa- rently contented. My business finished with these Indians, I immediately set out for Prairie du Chien, after giving them all the few presents I had — still they wanted more ; the sick, lame and lazy were brought down to my boat for me to take pity on them, if not in goods, something to eat would be ac- ceptable.

On my arrival at Prairie du Chien, I found the 6th regiment had arrived there from Detroit a few days before ; and the commanding officer. Col. Leavenworth, told me that as soon as his recruits would arrive, as well as ordnance and stores, he would immediately proceed on to make the establishment at the mouth of St. Peter's. I waited some time at the Prairie for these supplies. During which time the Sioux Indians, hav- ing heard of my ascending the Mississippi, were continually coming down from the different villages to see me, with the expectation of receiving some presents. In this they were dis-

MAj. Forsyth's narrative. 165

appointed, as I told them all that I would speak to them at their villages, and make them some presents, so that every one might have a share. Finding that they could not obtain goods, then they began to beg for provisions and some liquor. I thought it would be for the good of the service to give them some, which was issued on my return, being countersigned by the commanding officer, not wishing that they should go away home dissatisfied. Indeed, your friend, the Bourgne, or One Eyed Sioux, told me that if you were present you would be more liberal.

Two boats arriving, one loaded with provisions, the other with ordnance stores of different kinds, and no accounts of any recruits being on the way. Col. Leavenworth immediately decided on going up to St. Peter's with what men he could con- veniently spare from Prairie du Chien. As soon as things could be got ready, the expedition set out, composed of 98 soldiers and about 20 boatmen. The Bourgne or the One Eyed Sioux's village is on the Iowa river, some eighteen leagues above Prairie du Chien, and, hearing of the expedition on the way up, he and his followers placed themselves on the bank of the Mississippi, when I halted and gave them some gunpowder and tobacco. Bourgne agreed with me that it was better to deliver the blankets, etc., to the Sioux above, as they were more in want than himself and friends.

I proceeded on to Wing Prairie, a distance of 25 leagues above the Bourgne's village, being the residence of the prin- cipal chief of all the Sioux in that quarter, named The Leaf ; to him I gave a very handsome present, for which he was very thankful. I next halted at a place called the Ground Barn, at the village of the Red Wing, a distance above The Leaf's vil- lage of 25 leagues. I found them waiting for my arrival. I gave those Indians a good present ; j^et they were not con- tented, but wanted more. The old Red Wing and his son are great beggars, and wanted everything. The next village is the Little Crow's, at a place called the Grand Marais, being 23 leagues above the Red Wing's village, and within five leagues of the mouth of St. Peter's river. Here I found, in the Little Crow, a steady, generous and independent Indian ; he acknowledged the sale of the land at the mouth of the St.

166 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

Peter's river to the United States, and said he had been look- ing every year since the sale for the troops to build a fort, and was now happy to see us all, as the Sioux would now have their Father with them. I gave him a better present than to any one at the villages below, as he lived immediately in the vicinity of the troops. The day after my arrival at the mouth of the St. Peter's, Pinichon and the White Bustard, with their bands, came down from their villages (a few miles up the St. Peter's river) to visit me. To those chiefs I was equally as liberal as I was to Little Crow, and for the same reason, and they returned home contented.

The day following, three chiefs arrived ; one, the Six, whose character may easily be read in his countenance, clamored for presents, and rather ordered than requested that I would write on to his Great Father, the President, to send him plenty of kettles, guns, etc. ; that he had been promised formerly many things which as yet he had not received, but expected they would be sent to him. He is, as I am informed, a troublesome, good-for-nothing fellow. In all cases, in distributing presents, I had to give each band some liquor ; and at one time thought I would not be able to retain a sufficiency of provisions to bring my boat's crew back to this place, for I was determined after I left Prairie du Chien not to call on the Commissary for any article of provisions whatever.

Mr. T. Honorie, the United States interpreter at this place, I had to engage as an interpreter to go up with me for the Sauks and Foxes ; and at Prairie du Chien I was fortunate in procuring an excellent Sioux interpreter to go up with me to St. Peter's. On my arrival at Prairie du Chien in descending, I was well informed that Robert Dickson had left the Sanlt de St. Marie, in July last, to go to Red river by way of Lake Superior. Should his business be to draw any of the Sioux Indians from St. Peter's to Red river, I think he will be mis- taken ; as the Little Crow and others were inveigled away formerly, but were glad to return after an absence of only two years.

I am sorry to inform you of the death of Old Lance, one of the principal chiefs of the Sauk Indians. The old man had commenced to develop to the Sauks a plan of dividing

MAJ. FORSYTH*S NARRATIVE. 167

property ; that is to say, to have their lands surveyed, and each family to have a proportion according to their numbers. He had already made many proselytes ; but with the death of the old man, all has fallen to the ground.

Some few lowas and Sauks planted corn near Fort Edwards. Some few families who are entitled to lands for services ren- dered during the late war, are living in the evacuated fort, and are occasionally insulted by the drunken Indians, who take up liquor from the settlement, and drink it at and near the fort. About half a company of troops could not be better employed on the Mississippi than at Fort Edwards, under the command of a steady subaltern officer. It would keep the Indians in awe, and might prevent accidents, which must always happen where Indians get drunk among whites.

A letter from an Indian Agent at Chicago directed to me, or, in my absence, to the Governor of this Territory, has been handed to Mr. Bates previous to my arrival at this place. As soon as I can see Mr. Bates, I will get the letter, and if worth your notice, I will transmit you a copy for your information. The Indians on the Mississippi, I am happy to say, from the best information I can collect, are perfectly peaceable ; and those Sauks who visit Maiden occasionally do not appear to express such a high opinion of their British Father as formerly ; but, on the contrary, they begin to think that their American Father has the strongest arms, and his medicines are the best.

Capt. Whistler and a trader, on their way up Fox river from Green Bay, at different times were fired on by some of the Winnebagoes residing in the neighborhood, but no damage done.^

1 The officers commanding American troops declined paying tribute to the Winne- bagoes in passing up Pox river, as mentioned in vol. 5, p. 96, Wis. Hist Colls., and hence probably this firing on Capt. Whistler and the trader. L. C. D.

^.

w

'"4^-.y

RETURN CIRCULATrON DEPARTMENT TO--^ 202 Main Library . _

loanTeriodT

ML BOOKS MAY " "'"eweVby " 'ng mV3405

, .momh loons moy be '^"^"^^ l^^"b "gmg books lo C.rcu

DUEASilAMPEpjfcLOW

lotion Desk date

University of California, bbRKELEY

fOm NO. DD6, 60m, 12/80 BERKELEY, CA 94720 ^.

U.C. BERKELEY LIBRARIES

2-6 r 6^7

l^'tki-. '■