Indian Tribes of the Upper Missouri 21

Indian Tribes of the Upper Missouri 21

Their locations are few and hundreds of miles apart, and their

operations confined to within a few miles of their houses. Even while

we are writing thousands of buffalo can be seen by looking out of the

fort gates, which are quietly grazing on the opposite bluffs of the

Missouri, and yet this post (Fort Union) has been established 27 years.

The only good hunting grounds for elk and deer are on the Yellowstone

from 4 to 30 miles from the fort, beyond which though there are but few

Indians they are not nearly so numerous. Beaver and foxes are caught

every few days within one-half mile to 6 miles of the fort, not in

numbers, certainly, neither are they very plentiful anywhere in this

district. A trading post in a new country may have but few buffalo the

first and second years and innumerable herds the third, or vice versa.

There is no rule for this. The buffalo migrate and return. The other

animals are scattered over an immense region of country, are difficult

to kill, must be hunted separately, which is dangerous on account of

enemies, consequently not followed, therefore they are not diminished.

Thus no person can say to a certainty which are the first to disappear.

 

Perhaps the entire destruction of game would lead to the Indians

devoting their time to agricultural pursuits. It would force them to

do that or starve, but judging from their present indisposition to

work, and tribal organization, great distress would follow the sudden

disappearance of their game and starvation thin their ranks before they

would apply themselves to hard labor. The Indians who raise corn, etc.

(Mandan, Gros Ventres, and Arikara), do not do so from any scarcity

of game or apprehensions on that score, but have done so beyond the

recollection of any trader, or even of themselves. It appears to be

a desire to possess something else to eat besides meat, and a custom

handed down to them by their forefathers. Their corn is entirely

different from any raised in the States, and is the real original maize

discovered with the continent, the seed still kept in its original

purity. The labor attendant on planting and raising these crops is

performed by the women, while the men hunt like the surrounding

tribes, work of this description as their present ideas exist being

a disgrace to the males. Several of the other wild tribes have for

years entertained a desire to cultivate, not because they apprehend any

failure of game, but having become fond of corn, potatoes, etc., wish

to have them, but can not exert themselves enough for the purpose.

 

Commerce not as yet having reached the tribes of whom we write except

in the form of trade for their furs and skins, the question as to

its ultimate effects, as a cause of civilization, can not by us be

determined, but the effects produced by traffic have had a decided

tendency toward their improvement and advancement by stimulating

their exertions and increasing their knowledge. It must be obvious to

every one who is acquainted with the character and history of Indians

that they have an antipathy to work, that as long as they can support

themselves by hunting they will do so; for through these means they

are enabled to avail themselves of the labor and arts of Europeans

in procuring articles necessary for their subsistence, in exchange

for their furs and skins. This method being more consonant with their

fixed habits, is less toilsome though more dangerous than civilized

occupations. Having clothing, utensils, arms, ammunition and all kinds

of provisions furnished them by the traders certainly increases their

desire to obtain these things, stimulates them to greater exertions in

hunting, but does not lead to a sufficient energy of mind to endeavor

to produce these things by a slower though more certain employment. In

the event of a sudden disappearance of game they would be driven to

extreme want and thousands would perhaps perish before they would of

their own accord apply themselves to agricultural pursuits.

 

If no human exertions be made by those in power to instruct them in

the superior advantages of such labors over their present precarious

life, they must by a sudden pressure of emigration, and a consequent

annihilation of game, become the drudges of the whites, destroyed and

degraded by their great banes, whiskey and smallpox. It is impossible

to conceal the rapid strides made by emigration or its immoral tendency

on the Indians, and it would be very unreasonable to conclude that its

destroying effects would so revolutionize the habits of an uneducated

Indian as to meet the emergency. The change from savage to civilized

life and occupations must be gradual, accompanied by instruction,

education, and practical experiment illustrative of its utility.

 

The introduction of woolen goods has been of some advantage to the

Indians. It has added to their comfort, cleanliness, and pride, and

has had other good effects; but these alone can not be said to have

much increased their means of subsistence, though other things have.

As long as an Indian is a hunter, his dress must answer that purpose.

There is no fabric of European manufacture clothed in which he could

crawl after game over the plains covered with cactus in summer or that

would protect his body from freezing in winter. Blankets can not supply

the place of buffalo robes, cloth the place of skin, boots that of

moccasins, in these high latitudes and terrible snowstorms.

 

These things are bought for summer and fall wear in their homes or

when traveling, are preferred because they are not damaged by wet,

are gay, soft, and handsome, will make tolerably good undercoats

in winter, will serve for traveling horseback in summer and fall.

But the real hunter of the plains must have his buffalo robe coats,

moccasins, mittens, and cap, skin leggings, his extra buffalo robe on

his back and his snowshoes on his feet, or the cold and wind would

prove more destructive to his person than he to the game. The articles

introduced by commerce that have increased their means of subsistence

are firearms, horses, knives, kettles, awls, fire, steel, and metallic

instruments for dressing hides. Besides, the conversation and

instruction received from the traders has increased their knowledge,

elevated their desires, and stimulated their industry. These are some

of the effects of commerce, and this subject will meet with further

discussion through these pages.

 

We are not aware of any great moral evils consequent on the trade with

Indians in this section. The variations from truth and deceptions

practiced by rival companies are, however, the greatest. The

introduction of ardent spirits has been demoralizing and debasing, but

has in no great degree tended to the depopulation of the tribes of

whom we write. From a long period of actual observation and experience

we can safely say that the whole number of deaths arising from the

consequences of intoxicating drink does not amount to 100 during the

past 20 years, from and including the Sioux to the Blackfeet. That it

is morally wrong no one will doubt, but this has been much exaggerated,

and can not be reckoned among the causes of their depopulation. If that

cause is sought for it is very plain in the history of the smallpox,

which even while we write is sweeping off the Crow and Snake Indians,

upward of 1,200 of whom have died from that disease contracted on the

Platte emigrant trail last summer. The destruction of Indians from

cholera, measles, and smallpox since that road has been opened has been

incredible and there is no probability of its decreasing. These are the

causes of their depopulation and will be of their entire extinction.

The introduction of firearms has been beneficial to the trade, and in

some respects to the Indians. Deer, elk, and smaller game can be killed

when buffalo are not found, and in default of horses to run them the

Indians can support themselves with the gun.

 

The gun is a useful though not an indispensable implement. The loss of

an Indian horse is easier replaced than that of his gun, as he could at

any time steal the former from his enemies, and to get the latter would

require means to purchase, which have been destroyed by its loss. Also

the accident might happen when skins were of no value or unseasonable.

Another advantage in having a gun is that the means of making a fire

are thereby possessed, which on the plains is a matter of great

consequence, and a gun often saves the lives of several travelers. In

short, an Indian with a gun has double the chances of support that one

without has. Should his horse be stolen he can use his gun, and if

that is broken he can use his horse. By firearms a great many smaller

animals are killed, and skins traded which would not otherwise be the

case, though in hunting in bodies or large camps the gun is not much

used, except when there are but few horses that they can catch. The

possession of firearms has unquestionably promoted war. Many arrows

may be shot, perhaps all the Indian has, without doing any damage

unless at very close quarters, whereas at a distance or in the night

guns are effective. It also facilitates waylaying and killing their

enemies, a manner of which they are remarkably fond, and could not

well be accomplished with arrows, lances, etc., without nearly equal

danger to both parties. Guns and ammunition are considered the soul of

warfare, more so than of the chase, and a few Indians thus armed are

more efficient than a crowd with bows, lances, and war clubs. So much

is this the case that the want of a sufficient number of guns often

delays, and sometimes entirely stops, a war party.

 

There is only one way we know of by which the trade could be placed

on a better basis, and that being inconsistent with the principles of

our Government, is scarcely worth considering. It is that it should be

a monopoly. A charter granted to a body of efficient people who could

give bond to a large amount for their lawful prosecution of the trade,

and their operations subject to the revision and examination of a

competent board of directors.

 

 

EDUCATION

 

There are no serious or valid objections on the part of any Indians

with whom we are acquainted to the introduction of schools,

agriculture, the mechanical arts, or Christianity. We have examined

the subject in all its bearings for upward of 20 years; counseled with

Indians about it; and it appears to us very singular that as yet the

Department or some charitable persons have done nothing in this respect

for the Indians. It is the only way they can be really benefited,

saved, recompensed for territory bought, or rendered useful. It is the

only way by which they could eventually be brought to have some certain

source or means of subsistence. They have often pressed upon us their

desire that we should use our exertions to get some mission or school

opened among them to instruct their children in agriculture and the

mechanical arts. With this view we have for years corresponded with the

Rev. G. I. De Smet of the St. Louis University (Jesuit), who intended

and perhaps still intend to commence operations of the kind among them.

Not being of the Catholic persuasion, it is not on that account that

the Jesuits were thought by us the most competent for such a purpose,

but that they have more zeal, knowledge, perseverance, and tact to

manage Indians than any others we know of. Their religion is peculiarly

adapted to that purpose.

 

The imposing rites and ceremonies of the Catholic Church would at

once attract their attention and excite their interest; afterwards

they could be made to comprehend. However, it is not with the grown

Indians the commencement must be made. The first step to be taken is

to stop, as much as possible, their internal wars, and this is rapidly

being accomplished by the treaty made at Laramie in 1851, which has

had the effect of making a general peace between all nations except

the Blackfeet. This peace may suffer interruptions occasionally, by a

few being killed, or horses stolen, but these things will be settled

among themselves, and the peace continue, especially if the Indian

agents are particular in enforcing the treaty stipulations. With the

Blackfeet a peace must be made in some way and that at Laramie having

proved successful, why not in the same way? They are very numerous and

hostile, and nothing but a large appropriation judiciously distributed

in merchandise could gain the point. Afterwards it might be kept up

for a series of years by smaller annuities, and when the general end

is gained these could be discontinued. The only way to work upon the

wild Indian is through his cupidity and necessities; force is not to be

thought of.

 

This point being gained, establishments should be formed among each

tribe, at the same time receiving a number of their children and giving

them a common English education and as soon as practicable bringing up

these children in agricultural and pastoral pursuits.

 

Habits of industry should be inculcated as they grow up, and the field

of their operations enlarged when they are grown, by portioning out

lands and providing a market for their surplus stock and produce.

Some of the useful mechanical arts could also be introduced, but only

those that are useful in their present condition and growing state. A

century or two may elapse before watchmakers, glass blowers, or even

tailors and shoemakers would be necessary, though a few gunsmiths,

blacksmiths, carpenters, and weavers would find immediate employment.

The principles of the Christian religion would of course at the same

time be taught, but the principal feature of these establishments,

as soon as the boys and girls were able to work, should be industry,

principally in agricultural and pastoral pursuits. The great errors

into which missionaries have fallen are that they make the observance

of religious duties the sole object and neglect the others.[16]