Joe’s Letter
Years have passed since writing in this journal. Shortly after I made the last entry, I received orders to report to another assignment in Colorado. The diary was packed with my belongings and later placed with other books on a shelf in my library. When I received a letter from Chief Joe—penned by his eldest son—I looked for that old diary. Today, I am making a late, perhaps last, entry.
July 5, 1865
Joe’s letter described a move by the U.S. to gather all the tribes along the Colorado River and settle them onto one reservation, far to the north of the traditional lands of his people. The River People were resisting the move from their traditional homeland—as was proper in my view. The U.S. government has long regarded all native people as one nation. Anyone with half a brain would know that these are sovereign nations living on the same continent, much like the countries of Europe.
Looking back on my military experiences, I am free to express my indignation about our treatment of this continent’s first settlers. Manifest Destiny. In the name of that policy, my country is herding nations onto poor lands to make way for white settlements. I am personally ashamed of it, but my fellow Americans seem to think it right and proper, especially the U.S. Army.
I am now retired and free to express my views. But I’ll admit my views are not well shared by my countrymen, even by my own family. I was fortunate to come to know a man, known as Chief Joe, who is every bit as honorable as any friend or family member I have ever had. We live very differently, but if Joe were afforded the opportunity to make a decent income, I have no doubt he would live as honorably as any white man and probably exceedingly so, as I know many a scoundrel and ruffian in these parts that I call my homeland.
Joe’s letter described how he’d piloted steamboats for all the years since I last saw him on the deck of Uncle Sam. Apparently, his people are still farming in the floodplains, holding onto their traditions and excellent food supply. But the Army is now offering people canned goods, milled flour, sugar, and blankets. Many are accepting the handouts and becoming dependent on the government post. They have even moved their dwellings closer to the fort, his son writes – in a very nice hand, I might add. I’ve left it here between these sheaves for whomever may read this diary in years to come.
In this missive, I heard the voice of my old friend—and the desperation in it to find some way to exist beside a modernizing society. I could not sleep last night.
Instead, I wrote him a letter.
Dear Joseph,
Your letter came yesterday and I am up in the early morning writing to you. I could not sleep after reading about the attempt to move many nations to a reservation. I cannot know what agony this must cause you and your people. My nation does not understand the first thing about native people, especially that all tribes are not alike, and creating one reservation for many nations is just another example of our ignorance and ambition. I am personally ashamed of it.
I will write to President Lincoln for a process whereby you might be able to establish a reservation of your own to protect your lands and secure your location. The President has secured passage of the 13th Amendment to our Constitution, which contains our written laws for governance of all our affairs. The 13th amendment states that “all men are created equal and by rights must be free and equal under the law.”
I am most grateful for your letter, the description of what is happening there, and to see the fruits of your decision to educate your sons. He writes with a fine hand and good grammar. That you should keep before you as securing a place for your sons in whatever the future may bring.
With greatest respect,
Ben Boatright
Note to Readers: Many who follow this blog know that “land and people” is a major theme in my writing. I would like to share with you a recent beautiful essay published by Emergence Magazine and writtern and narrated by Chelsea Steinauer-Scudder, “Speaking Wind-Words.” The author’s essay goes much deeper into the taking of land by societies without understanding of how people are intricately a part of land as much as trees and streams. Take time to listen.
Susan Feathers 