OCR Text |
Show COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 7 common hunting ground provided by the treaty has produced bene-ficial results, and the conflicts of war and rapine have given place among them to the exchange of horses, peltry, and other articles of barbarous commerce. The Blackfeet, although absolutely barbarous, are said to be intelligent and tractitble, and ample provision is made by the treaty for their instruction in the arts of civilized life. Hitherto difficulties have attendedthe delivery of the annuity goods to the Crows, who inhabit the country bordering on the Powder, Big Horn, and Yellow Stone rivers. They are warlike, possess large bands of horses, and depend upon the chase for the means of subsist-ence. Under instructions from the superintendent, the agent will meet them at their hunting grounds, and consult with them as to the future place at which their annuities shall be delivered. The Assinaboines speak a Sioux dialect, and inhabit a country on the north side' of the Missouri river, opposite the mouth ofthe Yellow Stone. They are expert hunters, subsist by the chase, possess few horses, and use the Esquimaux dogs as beasts of burden. Tbe Cros Ventres, of the Missouri, reside on the north side of that river, below the mouth of the Yellow Stone. They speak the Crow dialect. On the south side of the Missouri, and a few miles below the Gros Ventres, the villages of the Mandans and Arickarees are situate. These three small tribes cultivate more corn, beans, and other vegetables, than are requisite for their subsistence. In the warm season they inhabit dirt lodges ; but as soon as their crops are gathered and "cached," they betake themselves to their skin lodges in the timber, preparatory to hunting and preparing their buffalo robes and meats. The Mandans speak a language dissimilar to their neighbors, and are represented as intelligent and quite dignified. The Arickarees speak the Pawnee langua e. These three tribes con- struct their own boats, which consist of f uffalo skins drawn over a circular frame-work of willow. They expose or bury their dead on scaffolds. The superintendent is of opinion, in which I concur, that a separate agency should be established for the Crows, Assinaboines, Gros Ventres, Mandans, and Arickarees. The country on the north side of the Missouri river, from the re-gio? of the Gros Ventres to the mouth of the Big Sioux river, is cla~med by the Yanctonees and the Yancton bands of Sioux. In con-sequence of the hostilities that exist between the Yanctonees and the half-breeds of Pembina, it is suggested that a well-defined line should be established between them. Both the Yauctonees and Yanctons cultivate the soil to some extent. but the former relv chiefl"v on- the hunt for support. On the south side of the Missouri, the Unc Papas, San Arcs, Two Kettles, and Blackfeet Sioux reside ; and the Brule', Minnecongue, and Ogalallah bands of Siou occasionally penetrate that region from the country adiaceut to the Platte. A11 these bands are insolent and audacious,"anb depend upon the cllase for subsistence. Agent Twiss has resumed the duties of his agency ; and the an-nuity goods for the Sioux, Arrapahoes, and Cheyennes, had arrived at Fort Laramie. Ton are referred to his reports for information in relation to several horrible massacres that have occurred in that re- |