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Show The representation through southern emissaries that the troops of the United States had been defeated in several battles, and that the government of the United States was destroyed and would be unable to resist them, suggested the time as favorable for an effort to recover their lands and to gratify their desire for vengeance upon the whites. But although the Indians had been for a long time harboring hos-tile designs, and providing arms and ammunition, the settlers in their vicinity, unsuspecting of danger, bad made no provision for defence, and were wholly unprepared for the attack. It is alleged that the onslaught upon the whites was precipitated earlier than was intended, by a sudden raid of a hand of four Sioux. These men in roaming through the country obtained some whiskey from a white man, and, becoming intoxicated, engaged in a controversy about their compara-tive bravery, when they agreed that the one who sllould first kill a white man should he regarded as the bravest. They soon afterwards attacked and killed several white men whom they met. They then fled to their village and reported what had occurred. Little Crow, the principal chief, and his band, expecting retaliation by the whites 3 for this ontraae, determined immediately to commence the attack they had longlbeen contemplating. The next morning, from two .hundred and fifty to three hundred Indians, headed by Little Crow, proceeded to the agency and en-gaged in an indiscriminate slaughter of all the whites tbey could find. They continued their attacks upon the white settlements with the ut-most ferocity, until they were defeated by the forces under the com-mand of ~ ~ k rSiabllei . T--h-e O.h-in newas. although thev have committed no hostilities be- L 1 ', " yond the plunder and destr_uction of some property, have for some time past manifested a spirit of discontent, and assumed a threaten-ing attitude. Charges of fraud were made by the chiefs against the United States agent for the tribe. Steps have been taken to inves-tigate these charges, and ascertain whether they are well-founded. Very soon after the commencement of hostilities, the agent left the reservation greatly excited and alarmed, and committed suicide. The Winnebagoes have been charged with manifesting hostile in-tentions. It is alleged that some of their tribe were found in arms with the Sioux. but no evidence hae been discovered calculated to im-ulicate the tribe. The most of them have remained quietly on their ;eservation during the war. The condition of affairs produced by these Indian hostilities de-mands of Congress prompt legislation. The people of Minnesota have suffered irreparable injuries. Large settlements have been de-onnulated. and numerous families have been destro~,ed. The loss of 1 L life is beyond the power of Congress to cornpensaie. The destruc-tion of property has been very great, and the sufferers am entitled to indemnity, at least to the extent of the property held by the gov-ernment in trust for the tribe. No examination has yet been made from which the extent of the pecuniary loss can be ascertained. The mode and meaeure of indemnity must he determined by Congress. But the people of Minnesota ask not only indemnity for the de- |
