Report. The Committee On Indian Affairs, To Whom Was Referred The Account Of The Northwest Fur Company, For Provisions And Payment Of Men For The Defense And Protection Of Government Property At Fort Union In 1866 And 1867, And The Claim Of T. Bruguin & Geowey, For Subsistence Furnished For The Protection Of The Fort At The Same Time...

MR. BUCKINGHAM

Publication: 1871, Washington

First Edition. Disbound. 3pp. 41st Congress, 3rd Session. Senate. Report No. 337. Fine. The account of the Northwest Fur Company embraces a charge of $9,780 for the payment of Indian soldiers, at one dollar per day, and charges for wood and hay, amounting to $1,025; and the bill of T. Bruguin & Geowey embraces a charge of $2,000 for the destruction of buildings. The two accounts are for like articles, furnished at the same time and for the same object, and their claim for payment rests upon the same state of facts, they are treated in one report. In a report on January 1, 1867, by Mahlon Wilkinson, United States Indian agent for the Upper Missouri, that on 19th December, 1866, a party of Indians made a dash on a party of men who had gone from the fort for wood, drove them in, and cut the harnesses from two mules belonging to the Northwest Fur Company, and escaped with the mules. They also killed a horse under a Mr. Farwell. On the same day Mr. Wilkinson wrote Colonel Ruskin, commanding at Fort Buford, stating that he regarded the post in danger, and requested him to send a guard of sixteen or twenty men, which he declined. On the receipt of the reply from Colonel Ruskin, Mr. Wilkinson sent a messenger to the Assinnaboine chiefs for help. In the interval, the Sioux Indians made hostile demonstrations on all parties outside the fort and seemed to be in favor of attacking the fort. Two of the Assinnabine chiefs were admitted to the fort for a talk. The chiefs advised against abandoning the fort and said that as long as it was held, they could keep 5,000 Sioux warriors in check. Under these circumstances, Colonel Ruskin felt compelled to organize a band of Assinaboines for the protection of the fort and property, and to order rations for them and the white men who remained to defend the place. The agent certified that the goods, merchandise, and provisions were furnished by his orders and issued under his supervision to the friendly Assinaboines and whites whom he called into the fort for the defense of the people and property therein against hostile Sioux Indians; that the accounts are just, and, in his opinion, should be paid.

Inventory Number: 48015