"The Indians of that country are desirous of being friendly and quiet, and I am certain nothing but the horrid effects of intoxication will cause them to break their treaty promises. I think that this country at this time will be a very hard one, and the duty to be performed a very unpleasant one, it is important some one should go and if ordered to do so, I will return to those Indians with all possible dispatch, and do the best I can to restore quiet among them by driving out those who are causing all the trouble." "I.G. Baker, Fort Benton merchant and whiskey trader in Blackfoot Country complained to Commissioner Taylor: "Sir: The military forces seized from me at Fort Benton, M.T. a lot of liquors under an order which originated from the Government at Washington City. My object in calling your attention to this matter is that an order may be issued directing the liquors to be returned. I am aware that the laws governing trade and intercourse prohibits the introduction into the Indian Country of spirituous liquors, and would gladly submit to the requirement of the law, provided it was regarded as being in force, but events of the past few years have actually overruled the law, or in other words, necessity has made the law inoperative."
-The Sacred Buffalo Vision by Robert J. Juneau and Robert C. Juneau
pg.19-20
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