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Show and other tribes formerly within the limits of Dakota, but now, by tbe orgeniea-tion of the Territory of Montana, transferred to that superintendency, some valuable information,is obtained from the annual reports and other commnnica-tions from Agent Upson, whose headquarters are at Fort Benton ; the tribes under his charge, however, ranging over a very wide district. Early in January, 1864, Mr. Upson reported that a state of hostilities existed between the Piegans and Gros Ventres, who range southeast of Fort Benton, the latter being aided by the Crows, and the Piegans having the aid of other bauds of Blackfeet Indians. These hostilities had not amounted to anything more serious than the frequent stealing of borses on either side, and collisions between small parties, in wbich life was occasionally taken. All parties were friendly to the whites. The agent immediately set operations on foot to bring these tribes to a council and to peace. The Piegans, who were near the post, were glad to have hostilities cease, and the chiefs and headmen of the Gros Vrntres, some fifty in number. readily accepted an invitation from Agent Upsou to come to the fort, which thej did on the 13th of February, and peaceful relations were established between the parties. Mr2 Upson was able to give me, underdate of February 19, some important information, derived from reliable persons sent out by him, as to the conduct and intentions of the hostile Sioux of the Upper Missouri, which was transmitted to you with report nnder.date of April 5, 1864. Down to March 28 quiet reigned among the Indians of this agency, disturbed only by the Pend d'orrilles, rho exhibited hostility not only towards the whiter, but towards the friendly Indians, particularly the I'iegans. At that date, and down to April 5, the agent was anxiously lookingfor amilitary force to gasrison the fort, beiug confident that a emall force wonld su5ce to prevent any outbreak. Early in last summer Mr. H.W. Reed, the special agent of this o5ce to visit the tribes on the Upper Missouri, arrived, after many delays arising from a low stage of water, within one hundred and fifty miles of Foa Benton, where the steamer grounded, and it was necessary to return to Fort Union. Some fifty lodges of Crows were met near Milk river, waiting in the hnpe of receiving their goods there, as they had been driven from their own country by the Sioux, with whom they have long been at war. Mr. Reed met with Agent Upson at Fort Union, and concerted arrangements with him for getting the goods to the tribes for whom they were intended as soon and as far as was practicable. Complaint is made of the unnecessary failure of the contractors todeliver the annuity goods at Fort Benton. The goods were left. at Oow island, one hnndred and fifty miles below that post, and it was not until Augnet 18 that those intended for theGro. Ventres wcre distributed to them, the tribe -eo in.,e to Cow island for the ournoses t 2 'J'l,is rrihr numl Fame nixteen 11undn.d ROIIIY;tr,r mrirely friendly, und their chief, "Sirri~lgS quuw," tendtrrd r l~rsr rvice* c f Ibis warriors to the go\.emmmt to firht the hontilc Sioux. At the lore oi Ilia nwnrt. Szutemhcr 1, ricent Unson hadsecured a train of twenty wagons, which we're about to start for%owiJand to bring up the annuity goods wh~ch had been left below, and expected to have them ready for distribution by September 20. The affairs of the Sun River farm, belonging to the agency, were found by Mr. Upson to he in a very bad condition, but steps were taken by him to prepare and plant as much ground as possihle, and the prospect was fair for a bountiful crop; hut succes~ive inundations of the river destroyed these hopes, and the result of the farming operations would be comparatively small. This agency, in the far northwest, has recently become oneof muchimportance, as lying upon the route of travel to the new gold fields of Montana, over wbich thousands of people have moved during the last year. Every possible effort will he made to continue the present friendly relations with the Indian tribes of the country. A report h m Agent Upson, dated September 28, nunounces his distribution |
