Old Fort Snelling | Page 4

a few
men and pushed on with the rest of the company to Leech Lake.
Conversation with the fur traders and councils with the Indians
revealed the extent of the commerce of the North West Company. He
heard of permanent trading posts on the south side of Lake Superior
and at the headwaters of the St. Croix River; and he saw at Lower Red
Cedar Lake, Sandy Lake, and Leech Lake the rude stockades and log
buildings which were called forts.[10] These three posts were included
in the "Department of Fond du Lac" and were the centers from which in
the year 1805, trade with the Indians was carried on by one hundred
and nine men.[11] By means of the rivers and portages of the
wilderness the furs were brought to Canada without passing a custom
house, and thus the United States was defrauded of duties which, it was
estimated, would amount to $26,000 annually.[12]
Pike objected to many of the evident signs of British sovereignty: the
British flag flying above the headquarters of the department of Fond du

Lac was shot down;[13] many of the Indians were induced to give up
their British medals and flags;[14] and Hugh M'Gillis, agent of the
company for the district, in response to Pike's letter of complaint,
promised in the future to refrain from displaying the British flag,
presenting medals, or talking politics to the Indians.[15] But his
promises were no more seriously given than those of his brethren on
the Missouri.
Little of permanent value would have been accomplished if the acts of
the explorer on September 23, 1805, had been omitted. The instructions
issued to Pike on July 30, 1805, stated: "You will be pleased to obtain
permission from the Indians who claim the ground, for the erection of
military posts and trading-houses at the mouth of the river St. Pierre
[the Minnesota River], the falls of St. Anthony, and every other critical
point which may fall under your observation; these permissions to be
granted in formal conferences, regularly recorded, and the ground
marked off."[16]
When Pike reached the mouth of the Minnesota River, the natural
features of the locality convinced him of the advantages which would
arise from a fort located at that point. From the high bluff lying
between the Minnesota and the Mississippi rivers the course of both
streams would be under the sweep of the guns. Sheer walls of stone
rising from the Mississippi could prevent invasion; and the fur trading
business could be regulated, as all boats entering or leaving the Indian
country must use one or the other of the two rivers.
A "bower" was constructed of sails, and on September 23rd Pike spoke
to the Sioux Indians there assembled concerning the transfer of
Louisiana, the futility of their wars with the Chippewas, and the evils of
rum. He asked them to cede to the United States lands for military posts,
and dwelt on the value of these posts to the Indians. To this the chiefs
assented, receiving in return presents valued at $200 and sixty gallons
of liquor. The terms of the treaty provided that the Sioux should cede to
the United States tracts "for the purpose of establishment of military
posts," at the mouth of the Minnesota and at the mouth of the St. Croix.
A money consideration was also mentioned, but a blank was left which

was later filled in by the Senate with $2000.[17]
The government, busy with distressing foreign affairs, neglected to
make a permanent occupation of the explored region. A struggle
between the American and British governments was arising over events
far remote from the northern lakes and woods. But the Canadian
authorities saw the necessity of having Indian allies for the approaching
struggle. As early as 1807 reports from the West indicated hostile
feelings on the part of the Indians toward the Americans, and an official
at Mackinac wrote on August 30, 1807, that this condition "is
principally to be attributed to the influence of foreigners trading in the
country."[18] Captain A. Gray, who was sent to inquire into the aid
which the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company could
furnish, reported to Sir George Prevost, commander of the British
forces in Canada, on January 12, 1812: "By means of these Companies,
we might let loose the Indians upon them throughout the whole extent
of their Western frontier, as they have a most commanding influence
over them." In a memorandum of plans for the defence of Canada,
General Brock noted that "the Co-operation of the Indians will be
attended with great expence in presents provisions &c."[19]
To this alliance the Indians gave willing ears. Their interests lay with
the British rather than with the Americans. The economic stability of
Canada rested upon the fur trade, which in turn