Can you give me any reference to any publication or record
in your library relating to G. W. Manypenny, who was Indian
commissioner in 1855 and in that year made a treaty with the
Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin?
E. S. GAYLORD,
_Minneapolis, Minnesota_.
Colonel George W. Manypenny, who was Indian commissioner in President
Pierce’s administration, was not a Wisconsin man. He was born in
Pennsylvania, and appointed from Ohio. His home was in Columbus, Ohio,
and as early as 1835 he was editor of a prominent Democratic paper at
that place. His appointment was no doubt a reward for journalistic
services during the campaign; but he seems to have taken his duties
seriously and to have undertaken the rôle of a defender of the red men
against the extortions of unscrupulous speculators. In doing this he
incurred the enmity of a powerful political clique among whom was
Senator Benton.
Manypenny went west in August, 1853, and made the series of treaties
that opened up the territories of Kansas and Nebraska for settlement.
It is claimed that he acted in the interests of the South with regard
to the Pacific railroad. See Wisconsin Historical Society
_Proceedings_, 1912, 80. In 1855 Manypenny made the treaty with the
Mississippi bands of Chippewa at Washington, whither their chiefs had
been conducted by Henry M. Rice.
Manypenny retired from office in March, 1857, and returned to Columbus
where, in 1859, he purchased a half interest in the _Ohio Statesman_
and was its editor for three years. In 1862 he retired to become
manager of the state public works, of which he was one of the lessees.
His interest in the Indians continued, and in 1876 he was appointed a
chairman of the commission to investigate the troubles that had led to
the Sioux outbreak of that year. In 1880 he published a book entitled
_Our Indian Wards_ (Cincinnati, Robert Clark & Co.), which is a plea
for more fairness in the management of Indian affairs, and a recital
of many of their wrongs.
The date of his death we have not ascertained, nor whether he left
descendants. An inquiry of E. W. Randall, secretary of the Ohio
Archaeological and Historical Society, at Columbus, would doubtless
put you in possession of these facts.