This immense extent of country is inhabited by a nation calling
themselves, in their internal relations, the Dacotah, which means the
Allied; but who, in their external relations, style themselves the
Ochente Shakoan, which signifies the nation of seven (council) fires. 
This refers to the following division which formerly prevailed among
them, viz.:—­
  1.  Mende-Wahkan-toan, or people of the Spirit Lake.
  2.  Wahkpa-toan, or people of the leaves.
  3.  Sisi-toan, or Miakechakesa.
  4.  Yank-toan-an, or Fern leaves
  5.  Yank-toan, or descended from the Fern leaves.
  6.  Ti-toan, or Braggers.
  7.  Wahkpako-toan, or the people that shoot at leaves.

—­ Long’s Expedition to Sources of St. Peter’s River &c., vol. 1, pp. 376, 378.]

If it be asked what will be done with these tribes when the country comes to be settled, I would observe, as I have said, that the present policy of the government is to procure their settlement on reservations.  This limits them to smaller boundaries; and tends favorably to their civilization.  I might also say here, that the title which the Indians have to the country they occupy is that of occupancy.  They have the natural right to occupy the land; but the absolute and sovereign title is in the United States.  The Indians can dispose of their title to no party or power but the United States.  When, however, the government wishes to extinguish their title of occupancy, it pays them a fair price for their lands according as may be provided by treaty.  The policy of our government towards the Indians is eminently that of protection and preservation; not of conquest and extermination.

Dacotah is the name now applied to the western part of Minnesota, and

I am assured by the best informed men of that section, that such will be the name of the territory when organized.
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PART III.

Table of statistics.
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I. List of post offices and postmasters in Minnesota. 
II.  Land offices, &c. 
III.  Newspapers published in Minnesota. 
IV.  Table of distances.
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I.

Post offices and postmasters.
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I have been furnished, at brief notice, with the following accurate list of the Post Offices and Postmasters in Minnesota by my very excellent friend, Mr. John N. Olivier, of the Sixth Auditor’s Office: 

List of post offices and postmasters in the territory of Minnesota, prepared Prom the books of the appointment office, post office department, to December 12, 1856.