the alliance the British might secure the Dakota trade. Manuel saw this and at once imparted to General Clark a scheme by which he believed not only that the Dakota trade could be held for the Americans, but that the Mississippi Sioux as well could be made of no value to the English. General Clark was pleased with the plan and gave the execution of it to the Spaniard, who, however bad his principles may have been as a trader, was always a loyal American.
Lisa was made the American agent for all of the Indians on the upper Missouri. He came among them and established a strong post somewhere in the vicinity of the Big Bend. It may have been on American Island at Chamberlain, and it may have been upon Cedar Island just above the bend. Here he maintained a large stock of goods for the Dakota trade, taught the women to raise vegetables, and supplied them with domestic fowls and cattle. He made of his post an asylum where the old men and women and the sick and defective were welcomed and cared for. Then with Spanish diplomacy he set about to create an impression in the minds of the Indians that the Sioux on the Mississippi were their enemies, and he skillfully fomented trouble between the two branches of the Sioux nation. Trusted runners were sent to the Mississippi to hint to the Sioux there that the Dakota Indians were very much incensed at their conduct and were likely to send war parties against them at any time. This kept the Mississippi Sioux at home to protect their families and camps. Lest the too frequent cry of wolf should make the Mississippi Sioux careless and get
