1838 more Petitions from La Pointe to the President
April 16, 2023
Collected & edited by Amorin Mello
Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs:
La Pointe Agency 1831-1839
National Archives Identifier: 164009310
O.I.A. Lapointe W.692.
Governor of Wisconsin
Mineral Pt. 15 Oct. 1838.
Encloses two communications
from D. P. Bushnell; one,
to speech of Jean B. DuBay, a half
breed Chippewa, delivered Aug. 15, ’38,
on behalf of the half breeds then assembled,
protesting against the decision
of the U.S. Court on the subject of the
murder of Alfred Aitkin by an Ind,
& again demanding the murderer;
with Mr Bushnell’s reply: the other,
dated 14 Aug. 1838, being a Report
in reference to the intermeddling of
any foreign Gov’t or its officers, with
the Ind’s within the limits of the U.S.
[Sentence in light text too faint to read]
12 April 1839.
Rec’d 17 Nov 1838.
See letter of 7 June 39 to Hon Lucius Lyon
Ans’d 12 April, 1839
W Ward
Superintendency of Indian Affairs
for the Territory of Wisconsin
Mineral Point Oct 15, 1838.
Henry Dodge
Sir:
I have the honor to enclose herewith two communications from D. P. Bushnell Esq, Subagent of the Chippewas at La Pointe; the first, being the Speech of Jean B. DuBay, a half breed Chippewa, on behalf of the half-breeds assembled at La Pointe, on the 15th august last, in relation to the decision of the U.S. Court on the subject of the murder of Alfred Aitkin by an Indian; the last, in reference to the intermeddling of any foreign government, or the officers thereof, with the Indians within the limits of the United States.
Very respectfully
Your obed’t serv’t.
Henry Dodge
Sup’t Ind. Affs.
Hon. C. A. Harris
Com of Ind. Affairs.
D. P. Bushnell Aug. 14, 1838
W692
Subagency
La Pointe Aug 14th 1838
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication dated 7 ultimo enclosing an extract from a Resolution of the House of the Representatives of the 19th of March, 1838. No case of intermeddling by any foreign government on the officers, or subject thereof with the Indians under my charge or any others, directly , or indirectly, has come to my knowledge. It is believed that the English government has been in the Habit of distributing presents at a point on Lake Huron below Drummonds Island to the Chippewa for a series of years.
The Indians from this region, until recently, visited that place for their share of the annual distribution. But the Treaty made last summer between them and the United States, and the small distribution of presents that has been made within the Last Year, under the direction of our government, have had the effect to permit any of them from visiting, the English Territory this year. These Indians have generally manifested a desire to live upon terms of friendship with the American people. All of the Chiefs from the region of Lake Superior have expressed a desire to visit the seat of Gov’t where none of them have yet been. There is no doubt, but such a visit with the distribution of a few presents among them would be productive: of much good, and render their attachment to our Gov’t still stronger.
Very Resp’y
yr ms ob sev’t
D. P. Bushnell.
I. O. A.
To
His Excellency Henry Dodge
Ter, Wisconsin Sup’t Ind Affs
Half breed Speech
Speech of Jean B. DuBay,
a half breed Chippewa, on behalf of the half breeds assembled in a numerous body at the United States Sub Indian Agency office at La Pointe, on the 15th day of August 1838.
Father. We have come to you for the purpose of speaking on the subject of the murder that was committed two years ago by an Indian on one of our Brothers. I allude to Alfred Aitken. We have always considered ourselves Subject to the Laws of the United States and have consequently relied upon their protection. But it appears by the decision of the United Sates court in this case. “That it was an Indian Killed an Indian, on Indian ground, and died not therefore come under its jurisdiction,” that we have hitherto laboured under a delusion, and that a resort to the laws can avail nothing. We come therefore to you, at the agent of the Government here, to tell you that we have councilled with the Indians and, have declared to them and we have solemnly pledged ourselves in your presence, to each other, that we will enforce in the Indian Country, the Indian Law, Blood for Blood.
We pay taxes, and in the Indian Country are held amenable to the Laws, but appeal to them in vain for protection. Sir we will protect ourselves. We take the case into our own hands. Blood shall be shed! We will have justice and who can be answerable for the consequences? Our brother was a gentlemanly young man. He was educated at a Seminary in Louville in the State of New York. He was dear to us. We remember him as the companion of our childhood. The voice of his Blood now cries to us from the ground for vengence! But the stain left by his you shall be washed out by one of a deeper dye!
For injuries committed upon the persons or property of whites, although within the Indian Country we are still willing to be held responsible to the Laws of the United States, notwithstanding the decision of a United States Court that we are Indians. And for like injuries committed upon us by whites we will appeal to the same tribunal.
Sir our attachments to the American Government and people was great. But they have cast us off. The Half breeds muster strong on the northwestern frontier & we Know no distinction of tribes. In one thing at least we are all united. We might muster into the service of the United States in case of a war and officered by Americans would compose in frontier warfare a formidable corps. We can fight the Indian or white man, in his own manner, & would pledge ourselves to Keep peace among the different Indian tribes.
Sir we will do nothing rashly. We once more ask from your hands the murder of Mr. Aitken. We wish you to represent our case to the President and we promise to remain quiet for one year, giving ample time for his decision to be made Known. Let the Government extend its protection to us and we will be found its staunchest friends. If it persists in abandoning us the most painful consequences may ensue.
Sir we will listen to your reply, and shall be Happy to avail ourselves of your advice.
Reply of the Subagent.
My friends, I have lived several years on the frontier & have Known many half breeds. They have to my Knowledge paid taxes, & held offices under State, Territorial, and United States authorities, been treated in every respect by the Laws as American Citizens; and I have hitherto supposed they were entitled to the protection of the Laws. The decision of the court is this case, if court is a virtual acknowledgement of your title to the Indians as land, in common with the Indians & I see no other way for you to obtain satisfaction then to enforce the Indian Law. Indeed your own safety requires it. in the meantime I think the course you have adopted, in awaiting the results of this appeal is very proper, and cannot injure your cause although made in vain. At your request I will forward the words of your speaker, through the proper channel to the authorities at Washington. In the event of your being compelled to resort to the Indian mode of obtaining satisfaction it is to be hoped you will not wage an indiscriminate warfare. If you punish the guilty only, the Indians can have no cause for complaint, neither do I think they will complain. Any communication that may be made to me on this subject I will make Known to you in due time.
O.I.A. Lapointe. D.333.
Hon. Ja’s D. Doty.
New York. 25 March, 1839
Encloses Petition, dated
20 Dec. last, of Michel Nevou & 111
others, Chippewa Half Breeds, to the
President, complaining of the delay
in the payment of the sum granted
them, by Treaty of 29 July, 1837,
protesting against its payments on the
St Croix river, & praying that it be
paid at La Pointe on Lake Superior.
Recommends that the payment
be made at this latter place,
for reasons stated.
Rec’d 28 March, 1839.
Ans 29 Mch 1839.
(see over)
Mr Ward
D.100 3 Mch 28
Mch 38, 1839.
Indian Office.
The within may be
an [?] [?] [?] –
[guest?]. in fact will be
in accordance with [?]
[lat?] opinions and not of
the department.
W. Ward
New York
March 25, 1839
The Hon.
J.R. Pointsett
Secy of War
Sir,
I have the honour to submit to you a petition from the Half-breeds of the Chippewa Nation, which has just been received.
It must be obvious to you Sir, that the place from which the Indian Trade is prosecuted in the Country of that Nation is the proper place to collect the Half Breeds to receive their allowance under the Treaty. A very large number being employed by the Traders, if they are required to go to any other spot than La Pointe, they must lose their employment for the season. Three fourths of them visit La Pointe annually, in the course of the Trade. Very few either live or are employed on the St. Croix.
As an act of justice, and of humanity, to them I respectfully recommend that the payment be made to them under the Treaty at La Pointe.
I remain Sir, with very great respect
Your obedient Servant.
J D Doty
[D333-39.LA POINTE]
Hon.
J. D. Doty
March 29, 1839
Recorded in N 26
Page 192
[WD?] OIA
Mch 29, 1839
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th with the Petition of the Chippewa half breeds.
It is only necessary for me to observe his reply that it had been previously determined that the appropriation for them should be distributed at Lapointe, & the instructions with be given accordingly.
Very rcy
Hon.
J.D. Doty
New York
D100
D.333.
To the President of the United States of America
The Petition of the Half Breeds of the Chippewa nation respectfully shareth.
That we, Half Breeds of the Chippewa Nation, have recently learned, that the payment of the sum granted to the Chippewa Half Breeds, by virtue of the Treaty of 29th July 1837, has been deferred to next Spring, and, that the St Croix River has been selected as the place of payment.
That the delay in not having received our share of the above grant to the Chippewa Half Breeds, last summer, has caused us much loss, by keeping us from our regular vocations for several months, and by leaving many of us without means of support during winter, and that the arrangement of having the payment made next spring on the St Croix, will oblige us to perform a long and expensive Journey, leaving our families in our absence without any means of subsistance, and depriving us of all chance of being employed either in the Indian Trade or at fishing, by which means alone, we are able to earn our daily bread.
Your Petitioners with great deference and implicit submission to the pleasure of the President of the United States, respectfully pray, that an alteration may be made in the place assigned for payment and that Lapointe on Lake Superior may be fixed upon as the place of payment that place being the annual rendezvous of the Chippewa Half Breeds and the Chippewa Indians Traders, by whom we are employed.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c. &c.
Lake Superior Lapointe Dec. 20th 1838
Michel Neveu X his mark
Louis Neveu X his mark
Newel Neveu X his mark
Alexis Neveu X his mark
Joseph Danis X his mark
Benjamin Danis X his mark
Jean Bts Landrie Sen’r X his mark
Jean Bts Landrie Jun’r X his mark
Joseph Landrie X his mark
Jean Bts Trotercheau X his mark
George Trotercheau X his mark
Jean Bts Lagarde X his mark
Jean Bts Herbert X his mark
Antoine Benoit X his mark
Joseph Bellaire Sen’r X his mark
Joseph Bellaire Jun’r X his mark
Francois Bellaire X his mark
Vincent Roy X his mark
Jean Bts Roy X his mark
Francois Roy X his mark
Vincent Roy Jun’r X his mark
Joseph Roy X his mark
Simon Sayer X his mark
Joseph Morrison Sen’r X his mark
Joseph Morrison Jun’r X his mark
Geo. H Oakes
William Davenporte X his mark
Robert Davenporte X his mark
Joseph Charette X his mark
Chas Charette X his mark
George Bonga X his mark
Peter Bonga X his mark
Francois Roussain X his mark
Jean Bts Roussain X his mark
Joseph Montreal Maci X his mark
Joseph Montreal Larose X his mark
Paul Beauvier X his mark
Michel Comptories X his mark
Paul Bellanger X his mark
Joseph Roy Sen’r X his mark
John Aitkins X his mark
Alexander Aitkins X his mark
Alexis Bazinet X his mark
Jean Bts Bazinet X his mark
Joseph Bazinet X his mark
Michel Brisette X his mark
Augustin Cadotte X his mark
Joseph Gauthier X his mark
Isaac Ermatinger X his mark
Alexander Chaboillez X his mark
Michel Bousquet X his mark
Louis Bousquet X his mark
Antoine Cournoyer X his mark
Francois Bellanger X his mark
John William Bell, Jun’r
Jean Bts Robidoux X his mark
Robert Morin X his mark
Michel Petit Jun X his mark
Joseph Petit X his mark
Michel Petit Sen’r X his mark
Pierre Forcier X his mark
Jean Bte Rouleaux X his mark
Antoine Cournoyer X his mark
Louis Francois X his mark
Francois Lamoureaux X his mark
Francois Piquette X his mark
Benjamin Rivet X his mark
Robert Fairbanks X his mark
Benjamin Fairbanks X his mark
Antoine Maci X his mark
Joseph Maci X his mark
Edward Maci X his mark
Alexander Maci X his mark
Joseph Montreal Jun. X his mark
Peter Crebassa X his mark
Ambrose Davenporte X his mark
George Fairbanks X his mark
Francois Lemieux X his mark
Pierre Lemieux X his mark
Jean Bte Lemieux X his mark
Baptist St. Jean X his mark
Francis St Jean X his mark
Francis Decoteau X his mark
Jean Bte Brisette X his mark
Henry Brisette X his mark
Charles Brisette X his mark
Jehudah Ermatinger X his mark
Elijah Eramtinger X his mark
Jean Bte Cadotte X his mark
Charles Morrison X his mark
Louis Cournoyer X his mark
Jack Hotley X his mark
John Hotley X his mark
Gabriel Lavierge X his mark
Alexis Brebant X his mark
Eunsice Childes
Etienne St Martin X his mark
Eduard St Arnaud X his mark
Paul Rivet X his mark
Louisan Rivet X his mark
John Fairbanks X his mark
William Fairbanks X his mark
Theodor Borup
James P Scott
Bazil Danis X his mark
Alexander Danis X his mark
Joseph Danis X his mark
Souverain Danis X his mark
Frances Dechonauet
Joseph La Pointe X
Joseph Dafault X his mark
Antoine Cadotte X his mark
Signed in Presnce of
John Angus
John Wood
John William Bell Sen’r
Antoine Perinier
Grenville T. Sproat
Jay P. Childes
C. La Rose
Chs W. Borup
James P. Scott
Henry Blatchford
1856 Inquest on the Body of Jerry Sullivan
March 18, 2017
By Amorin Mello
Wheeler Family Papers: Box 3, Folder 12;
La Pointe County, 1849-1862
Papers Relating to an
Inquest on the Body of
Jerry Sullivan
~~~
State of Wisconsin
County of Lapointe
To any Constable of said County.
In the name of the State of Wisconsin you are hereby commanded to Summon Joseph Lapointe Oskinawa and [Cotonse for I have?] son of the little chief named [Jegequaon?] to be and appear at my office in Lapointe and give Evedince on an Inquest then & there to be held on the body of P Jerry Sullivan found frozen to death how and by what means he came to his death.
Given under my hand this 10th day of March AD 1856.
J. W. Bell
Justice of the Peace
State of Wisconsin.
To any Constable of the County of Lapointe
You are hereby required immediately to summon six good and lawfull men of the County of Lapointe to appear forthwith before me at my office in the town of Lapointe to enquire upon the view of the Dead Body of Patrick Jerry Sullivan there being dead, how and by what means he came to his death.
Given under my hand this 10th day of March 1856.
J. W. Bell
Justice of the Peace
– – – – – – – – – –
Served the within by Summoning the following Individuals and producing them in Court.
Antoine Perrinier
John Cochran
John Bono
Marks Mandelbaum
JB. Roy
Batiste Gaudin
& Edward Fornier
Antoine Cournoyer Sr. was a French-Canadian and father of a mixed-blood family in the La Pointe Band.
A. (his X mark) Cournier
Constable
Fees 50 cts
Inquest on the Body of Jerry Sullivan.
Patrick Sullivan
being duly sworn says that last Thursday evening
Captain John Daniel Angus first settled at La Pointe in 1835.
~ Madeline Island Museum
Oskinawa came to my house, and there a pair of Boots and Blanket and two quilts belonging to the deseased and was going away My little Boy seen him do so. My wife went out of Doors and asked him where the old man was, I heard them talking and I went out. I asked Oskinawa if the old man had left Angus and if he was coming to night, he replied that he did leave him the old man some where on the Ice. I went to see Oskinawa the next day and he told me that an Indian had come across and told him that the old man was sick in a house on the opposite side. I started on Saturday morning in search of the old man and called at the different houses but could get no information of him I also searched along the shore. John Morrison told me that on thursday he seen him with Oskinawa abreast of his place away a good distance from shore on his way to Lapointe. I went to Capt Angus that night to Enquire, Capt Angus told me that he had made an arrangement with Joseph Lapointe to bring the old man home with him as he was coming to Lapointe with a horse and train and he would pay him for it. on Monday afternoon after searching I found the Deseased lying on his back frozen lying on the beach about a mile or more from Lapointe and brought him home and requested that an Inquest should be held over him.
Sworn & subscribed to before me this 10th day of March 1856
J W Bell
Justice of the Peace
Inquest on the Body of Jerry Sullivan
Oskinawe
being duly sworn Says that he knows deceased. Deseased left the Bay to come to lapointe on foot thursday at about half past two o’clock PM.
I overtook him on the road Shortly after I requested the diseased to come along with me as I wanted to get ahead of horse that was going to Lapointe. Mr. Angus had given me the Old Man’s things to bring to Lapointe I had a dog and a train with me the Old Man deseased could not keep up with me and I left him. I overtook the horse at Stoney point and came home in company with the horse Joseph Lapointe had the horse. I could still see the Old Man coming after us when I was this side of the Stoney point.
Sworn to March 10th 1856 before me
J W Bell Justice
– – – – – – – – – –
John [Degequaon?]
being duly sworn says, that on Saturday last he went to the Bay & Capt Angus enquired of him if the old Man had got home.
Captains Angus and Butterfield were south of Houghton Point, in what is now the City of Washburn. Detail from the Barber Brothers’ survey during August of 1855.
I answered in the negative. Capt Angus told me that he had told Joseph Lapointe on his sleigh and that he would pay him for it. Steven Butterfield told me that he heard Capt Angus tell Joseph Lapointe to take the Old Man on his sleigh. in the Evening I told Mrs Lapointe the Mother of Joseph and she said her son was very foolish in not taken the old man in his sleigh, but that she had herself told him not to take any person on his sleigh before he was paid for it as he had been cheated so often, and perhaps her son had refused the old man for the reason that the old man had once refused to lend him a bucket to water his horse.
Sworn on March 10th 1856 before me
J W Bell Justice.
– – – – –
Joseph Lapointe
duly sworn says, that he left the Bay with his horse to come to Lapointe on thursday afternoon that the deseased wanted to come over with him in his sleigh that he offered the deseased to bring him over to Lapointe with his things for half a Dollar but the Deseased would not agree to give it to him.
I then turned my horse and came away, on the road he broke an Iron pin and went back to Mr Angus to get it repaired that the Deseased was still there that Mr Angus did not say any thing to him at all in regard to bringing the old man over. Mr Angus never asked him to bring the old man over.
Says that the reason that he did not want any thing in his sleigh was because he wanted to get to Lapointe and back the same day.
Sworn to before me this 10th day of March 1856,
J W Bell Justice
An inquisition taken at Lapointe in the County of Lapointe, on the 10th day of March 1856 before J W Bell one of the Justices of the peace of said County, upon the view of the Body of Jerry Sullivan there dead by the Jurors whose names are hereunto Subscribed, who being duly sworn to Enquire on behalf of the people of this State when, in what manner, and by what means the said Jerry Sullivan came to his death upon their Oaths do say, that from the Evedince produced on their inquest that they Exempt any person from blame, and that owing to the late hour of starting the deceased came to his Death by freezing in making an effort to reach home.
In testimony whereof the said Justice of the Peace and the Jurors of this inquest have hereunto set their hands the day and year aforesaid.
John W. Bell
Justice of the Peace
W. J. Cochran
M. H. Mandelbaum
John Bono
Antoine Perrinier
Edward Fornier
John B. Roy~ Jury ~
Patrick Sullivan
Son of the diseased being duly sworn Says that Deseased was not possesed of any real Estate, and all the personal Estate that he knows of was
Money to the amount of 35.00 which he left with my wife, 7.00 which he lent me, 6 cents was found in his pocket after his disease and 1 Barrel of Flour which I got of him valued at 20.00. Making $62.06. He told me that Captain Angus Owed him for some labor, likewise he had some potatoes hid in the ground and some wood in the woods cut. the Diseased made my house his principal home. he had a due Bill on Mr
J haveAustrian for the Sum of 3.75. Total in Money & due Bills 65.81. also 5.00 worth of meal. 70.81Incidental Expenses paid by me out of the above for
holding an Inquest and Burrial rites, Church Rites &cExpenses of Inquest Jury fees & witnesses &c $8.37
Paid for Coffin & Outer Box 9.38
Paid the Preist for a Mass 5.00
To 4 Men looking for Diseased 4.00
Paid Paul Souliere 2.00
Henry Brissette 1.00
Michael Brissette for teaming 1.00
two Indian Boys for bringing Deseased 2.00
John Cochran two Days. 3.00
Hauling Sand for grave 4.50
[Bisson?] 1 Day searching for diseased 1.00
Ten Dollars for a Railing round the Grave 10.00
Grave Stone 5.00
To Massers to be said hereafter 15.00
Decided that Patrick Sullivan is the proper person to collect and settle all affairs of the diseased. and what remain he is entitled to for his trouble.
Chequamegon History 