For this week's history assignment, I am John Uley and I am writing a letter as a member of the Episcopal Church to Bishop Whipple. Bishop Whipple has worked to recieve from the government a pardon for several Sioux Indians, in effect, saving them from a death penalty. I am furious and explaining why the Indians are not worthy of the pardon.
Bishop Whipple,
I must say that I am appalled with your decision. I do not feel that the indians should be set free. They must all be sent off Minnesota land! Do you not realize what you have done?
The indians cannot trusted. They carry diseases. They are violent. They must leave!
There are two ways of life. The white man's way of life, and the indian's way of life. These two ways are not compatible. The Plains indians are mostly hunters. White men are farmers and ranchers. The indians need the land to be free and uncultivated so the herds of buffalo, deer, and antelope can move about. We need the land clear of wild animals so our crops won't be trampled and eaten. How do you expect us to live together?
The more indians we kill this year, the less we have to kill the next year, and you just stopped that from working.
John Uley
Emma - Good report. What we did to the Indians was deplorable. You pointed out clearly why white settlers wanted Indians off the western lands - They wanted to farm and ranch the lands for their own profit. They used the power of the government to achieve this. Thanks for your report. - Daddy
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