"Citizens of the different States, have contrary to the law, settled upon Indian lands, formed government of their own, chosen Delegates to Represent them in Congress, and the Government enacts laws, appoints offices, and thereby organizes the government of a Territory, on lands that have not been ceded or purchased from the Indians. Would it not be thought absurd, to confiscate the gold of an honest miner, and tell him that he resides on Indian soil, contrary to the intercourse law? When I as a merchant in the town of Fort Benton pay the collector of U.S. Internal Revenue my income tax, my licenses to traffic in general merchandise, is it not, at least, a strange anomaly that another office of a different branch of the Government, deprives me of my goods? Being satisfied that the evidence I have furnished you, is convincing proof of a desire to trade in an honorable and upright manner, I hope you will not hesitate to order the liquors returned to me." Commissioner of Indian Affairs A.G. Taylor ordered Blackfeet Agency, Agent Wright to allow I.G. Baker to continue his trade with the Indians: "Your telegram notifying me to allow I.G. Baker of this place to continue trading with the Indians-also for me to examine the charge against him of not fitting parties last fall with alcohol who traded it to the Indians had been securing."
-The Sacred Buffalo Vision by Robert J. Juneau and Robert C. Juneau
pg.20
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