There Can Be No Doubt That
In Future Times This Region Will Be The Summer Resort Of The Wealthy
Of The Land." (Pp.
9, 10.)
I will pass over what he says of the "vast and magnificent valley of
the Red River of the North," having before given some account of that
region, and merely give his description of the largest lake which lies
in the northern part of the territory: "The greatest extension of
Devil's Lake is at least forty miles, but may be more, as we did
not, and could not, ascertain the end of the north-west bay, which I
left undefined on the map. It is bordered by hills that are pretty
well wooded on one side, but furrowed by ravines and coulees, that are
taken advantage of by warlike parties, both for attack and defence
according to circumstances. The lake itself is so filled up with
islands and promontories, that, in travelling along its shores, it is
only occasionally that one gets a glimpse of its expanse. This
description belongs only to its wooded side; for, on the opposite
side, the shores, though still bounded by hills, are destitute of
trees, so as to exhibit an embankment to the east from ten to twelve
miles long, upon an average breadth of three-quarters of a mile. The
average breadth of the lake may be laid down at fifteen miles. Its
waters appear to be the drainings of the surrounding hills. We
discovered no outlets in the whole extent of about three-quarters of
its contour we could explore. At all events, if there be any they do
not empty into the Red River of the North, since the lake is shut up
in that direction, and since we found its true geographical position
to be much more to the north than it is ordinarily laid down upon
maps. A single depression at its lower end would intimate that, in
times of high water, some discharge might possibly take place; but
then it would be into the Shayenne." (p. 50.)
Such are some of the geographical outlines of the extensive domain
which will be soon organized as a new territory.
What will it be called? If the practice hitherto followed of applying
to territories the names which they have been called by their
aboriginal inhabitants is still adhered to, this new territory will
have the name of Dacotah. It is the correct or Indian name of those
tribes whom we call the Sioux; the latter being an unmeaning
Indian-French word. Dacotah means "united people," and is the word
which the Indians apply to seven of their bands.[1] These tribes
formerly occupied the country south and south-west of Lake Superior;
from whence they were gradually driven towards the Missouri and the
Rocky Mountains by their powerful and dreaded enemies the Chippewas.
Since which time they have been the acknowledged occupants of the
broad region to which they have impressed a name. Several of the
tribes, however, have crossed the Missouri, between which and the
Rocky Mountains they still linger a barbaric life. We may now hope to
realize the truth of Hiawatha's words:
"After many years of warfare,
Many years of strife and bloodshed,
There is peace between the Ojibways
And the tribe of the Dacotahs."
[1 The following description of the Dacotahs is based on observations
made in 1823. "The Dacotahs are a large and powerful nation of
Indians, distinct in their manners, language, habits, and opinions,
from the Chippewas, Sauks, Foxes, and Naheawak or Kilisteno, as well
as from all nations of the Algonquin stock. They are likewise unlike
the Pawnees and the Minnetarees or Gros Ventres. They inhabit a large
district of country which may be comprised within the following
limits: From Prairie du Chien, on the Mississippi, by a curved line
extending east of north and made to include all the eastern
tributaries of the Mississippi, to the first branch of Chippewa River;
the head waters of that stream being claimed by the Chippewa Indians;
thence by a line running west of north to the head of Spirit Lake;
thence by a westerly line to the Riveree de Corbeau; thence up that
river to its head, near Otter Tail Lake; thence by a westerly line to
Red River, and down that river to Pembina; thence by a south-westerly
line to the east bank of the Missouri near the Mandan villages; thence
down the Missouri to a point probably not far from Soldier's River;
thence by a line running east of north to Prairie du Chien.
This immense extent of country is inhabited by a nation calling
themselves, in their internal relations, the Dacotah, which means the
Allied; but who, in their external relations, style themselves the
Ochente Shakoan, which signifies the nation of seven (council) fires.
This refers to the following division which formerly prevailed among
them, viz.:
1. Mende-Wahkan-toan, or people of the Spirit Lake.
2. Wahkpa-toan, or people of the leaves.
3. Sisi-toan, or Miakechakesa.
4. Yank-toan-an, or Fern leaves
5. Yank-toan, or descended from the Fern leaves.
6. Ti-toan, or Braggers.
7. Wahkpako-toan, or the people that shoot at leaves.
Long's Expedition to Sources of St. Peter's River &c., vol. 1, pp.
376, 378.]
If it be asked what will be done with these tribes when the country
comes to be settled, I would observe, as I have said, that the present
policy of the government is to procure their settlement on
reservations. This limits them to smaller boundaries; and tends
favorably to their civilization. I might also say here, that the title
which the Indians have to the country they occupy is that of
occupancy. They have the natural right to occupy the land; but the
absolute and sovereign title is in the United States. The Indians can
dispose of their title to no party or power but the United States.
When, however, the government wishes to extinguish their title of
occupancy, it pays them a fair price for their lands according as may
be provided by treaty.
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