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Show In relation to the "Freemen" at Green River I will only say that usually emigrants upon arrival at that point very frequently find their stock so much reduced by hardships that thej/Jare often glad of an opportunity of exchanging for fresh animals at almost any rate that may be asked, thus furnishing an opportunity to those who have stock an abundant source of profit without stealing themselves, or inducing the Indians to steal for them. Having long followed this practice of trading with the emigrants, many of" them are very well supplied with good stock which readily recruits when turned upon the rich pastures if that region. It is not safe to trust too far the savage Indians not withstanding all their professions of friendship. Hence the impropriety of extending settlements faster than can be maintained for our experience proves to us that although the whites, at their most earnest solicilation may break upon their lands with every assurance of safety and protection for themselves and property., yet when coming into direct contact with them and to kill the savage, their insolent and mandatory habits lead them to incur the risk of satisfying their wants. They also sometimes become saucy and offensive to females who arejleft without sufficient protection, but in most cases if their wants for food and clothing are supplied, but little difficulty occurs. We have had some serious difficulties at various times with them, but it has been caused usually through these sources, as the people have been unable to furnish them with all they wanted, their involuntary contributions became rather too burdensome and when withheld exasperation ensued. But chastisement when so richly deserved has had a most salutary effect and in all instances with the exception of some Comenbahs the hostile belligerents have come to terms and subsequently lived in peace with seemingly a better understanding than before. These Comenbahs inhabiting principally the central part of this |
