Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
Department of State, Washington, January 12, 1863.
My Lord: Perhaps you have a general knowledge
of the atrocities and barbarous outrages which have recently been
committed by the Sioux Indians in Minnesota, residing under the
protection of treaties with the United States. For the present these
hostilities have ceased, but information has been received from that
State which excites apprehensions of a renewal of them. I ask the favor
to give you an extract of a letter of this character which comes from
Mr. Peter Roy, at Red Lake, under the date of December 20. It is hoped
that you may think it not improper to address the colonial authorities
on the northern frontier, with a view to prevent, if possible, hostile
Indians residing on either side of the frontier from being supplied with
arms, ammunition, or military stores, to be used against the peaceful
inhabitants of the United States.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your lordship the
assurance of my high consideration.
Right Honorable Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
Department of the Interior,
Washington, January 9, 1863.
Sir: With this I have the honor to enclose
an extract from a letter of Mr. Peter Roy, a half-breed Chippewa, in
the temporary employment of this department, and respectfully
request that you will take such action in the premises as, in your
judgment, the public safety requires.
I beg leave to add, that there exists a very general apprehension
among the citizens of Minnesota that the Sioux Indians, now in
hostility against them, will obtain supplies of arms and ammunition
from the merchants and traders in the British possessions, who are
protected by that government.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
[Page 493]
[Untitled]
Extract of a letter received from Mr. Peter Roy, an employe of
the government, by the honorable H. M. Rice, United States
Senate, dated “Red Lake, December 20, 1862:”
“There is a large number of Sioux about Devil’s lake; they are
coming in daily at St. Joseph in large numbers; they are bound
to have ammunition, and they are preparing to go to Fort Garry
in very large numbers, to demand for powder. The governor, Mr.
Tavish, has heard of it, and he has sent a message to them not
to come—that they could not have any; but the Indians have
determined to go, and they are going, and people there expect to
have trouble with them; and also the Sioux, from all accounts,
are making big preparations for a spring campaign.”
