[Inclosure.]
Inspector Macdonell to Colonel Irvine.
Wood Mountain, Northwestern
Territories, January 20,
1883.
Sir: Your letter of the 7th instant,
inclosing copies of dispatches from the department of the interior,
northwestern mounted police branch, received.
In reply, I will state as briefly as possible exactly the situation.
I may state at once the report that the Milk .River country is
overrun with Canadian half-hreeds is not correct.
You are aware that the half-breeds for some years past have been in
the habit of wintering on the Milk River. During last fall I
informed them that the United States. Indian agent at Poplar River
had received instructions from his Government to arrest and
prosecute any trespassers found in the reservations. They then
decided on wintering here. There has not been this winter, nor is
there now, a Canadian half-breed wintering in the reservation.
An occasional hunting party go out for meat, as they say they must
either get meat or starve. As regards what
are called the hostile Sioux, their numbers are so insignificant
that it is absurd to say that the country is overrun by them. They
have been all winter, and are now, camped about six miles from this
post. They hunt principally on this side. Occasionally a few cross,
and as they are on good terms with the agency Indians they are
treated by them as friends.
I am reliably informed that there are no Crees there. “Little
Poplars.” with thirty-five lodges, has heen all winter south of the
Missouri. The reservation does not extend south of the river.
There are about 300 white hunters on the reservation. The United
States authorities at Poplar River are reported to have said that
they have not force enough at their command to drive them away.
These white hunters are looked upon as being a lawless set,
principally made up of professional horse-thieves and outlaws.
The scout Culbertson, mentioned in one of the dispatches, was at one
time employed as Sioux interpreter at this post; his reputation for
veracity stands very far below par. I know him well, and have no
hesitation in stating that I would not believe him on his oath. In
plain English, the information he is reported to have given the
officer commanding the United States troops at Poplar River—viz,
that the reservation
[Page 495]
was
overrun with half-breeds and Sioux Indians—is false; nor do I
believe for one moment that there is the slightest probability of
there being any hostile collision. However, should anything of
moment Occur I will advise you at once by special.
I have, &c.,
