Category Archives: Jesus

19th Century, government, History, Intercession, Jesus, justice, Minnesota, Native Americans, Politics

Taliaferro Becomes Indian Agent 1820  

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Lawrence Taliaferro

Virginian Lawrence Taliaferro (pronounced “Tolliver”) becomes the Indian agent at Fort Snelling. Respected by the Indians for never making promises he could not keep, he works hard for 20 years to rid the fur trade of whisky and cheating. At last, in poor health and tired of the government’s broken promises, he resigns.*

Lord, thank you for honest people! What pleasure it is to have someone return our phone, admit a mistake in our favor at the cash register, or actually put a lost item into the “lost and found” so we can reclaim it. As King Solomon wrote so many years ago, “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.” I simply wish to honor and remember the “honest people” of the world to You today, and commend to You their example.

Father of Honesty, Mother of Truth, today I wish to honor  and remember Lawrence Taliaferro, who crystallizes this type of character. Thank you that he wanted a square deal for Indians of Minnesota who came to him at Fort Snelling. There is such power in a person who is willing to let their yes mean “Yes”, and their no mean “No”.

We are no different than Lawrence. There are many times that we tire of doing good and quit. Often, there is more punishment and criticism for doing the right thing than sweeping the wrong thing under the rug!? Will You forgive our hearts to quit doing right and forgive Mr. Taliaferro!? Will you forgive any assessments he made, probably quite logically, of the Federal government’s failure to honor its promises? Will You bless these specific tribes of Indians in the specific areas that they have been wronged? Will You forgive any tribal counter-judgments or resentments of State or Federal government? Will You begin to heal these centuries-old heartaches today?

*Note – PrayThroughHistory uses the timeline located for several years at the Minnesota Historical Society Web site, at this URL: mnhs.org/about/dipity_timeline.htm .  The current URL is www.dipity.com/Minnesota/History/Minnesota-History/ and only works if typed, not pasted, in browser. It is worth the effort!

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19th Century, government, History, Intercession, Jesus, Minnesota, Native Americans

Leavenworth Arrives in Mendota Aug 24, 1819  

Colonel Henry Leavenworth

Colonel Henry Leavenworth

Colonel Henry Leavenworth and the Fifth Infantry arrive in Mendota to build what will become Fort Snelling at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers.*

Spirit, thank you that You have chosen to live in us! “But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.” Psalm 3:3 You are our true fortress. Forgive my attempts at self-protection, or building monuments to my own honor!

Father, we make so many choices as Your people, Your Minnesotans, to act out of a heart of fear and self-protection. We’re just like Leavenworth in that we want to see what’s coming around the bend in the river…first! (Except now we have surveillance that reaches around the corner, far above us, and around the world?!)

Granted, some self-protection is just: houses to protect us from the weather, fences to mark our property, the establishment borders for our counties, states, nations, we don’t talk to strangers, etc. You know the heart of Leavenworth, the 5th Infantry,  the government, or any unspoken parties in this. Will You have mercy on any unjust fears and self-protection resulting from this event? Will You show us how to preserve both security and privacy in Minnesota?

*Note – PrayThroughHistory uses the timeline located for several years at the Minnesota Historical Society Web site, at this URL: mnhs.org/about/dipity_timeline.htm .  The current URL is www.dipity.com/Minnesota/History/Minnesota-History/ and only works if typed, not pasted, in browser. It is worth the effort!

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19th Century, Culture, government, History, Intercession, Jesus, Minnesota, Native Americans, Treaties

Pike’s Treaty Nov 23, 1804 12:00 pm

treatiesmatter.org

Zebulon Pike, a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, meets with a party of about 150 Dakota people at the confluence of the St. Peter’s (Minnesota) and Mississippi Rivers. Pike’s commanding officer, Gen. James Wilkinson, wants to obtain sites for future military posts in case of war with Great Britain. Pike makes a deal with two Dakota leaders for roughly 100,000 acres of land; enough for the U.S. government to build a trading post and fort. Though the boundaries are poorly defined, the agreement becomes the basis for U.S. claims on the land at the confluence. The “treaty” was ratified by Congress in 1808, but since Pike didn’t have the authority of the U.S. Senate or the President, it was not an official government act. According to an 1856 Senate committee report, “There is no evidence that this agreement, to which there was not even a witness . . . was ever considered binding upon the Indians, or that they ever yielded up the possession of their lands under it.”*

Lord, I praise Your omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence! I’m grateful that You are “Faithful and True”! Lord, because You are omnipresent, may I observe this event with You? It appears that Pike’s Treaty of Nov. 23, 1804 @12:00pm is lacking: “poorly defined boundaries”, “not even a witness”, “Pike didn’t have the authority of the U.S. Senate or the President.” This is a legal issue for us as inheritors of the actions between the Dakota peoples present, Pike, Wilkinson, the U.S. Army, and indirectly to Great Britain, and anyone else present and unrecorded.

Jesus, thank you that You love clear boundaries. Your word says:

“Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.” Proverbs 23:10,11

“Judah’s leaders are like those who move boundary stones. I will pour out my wrath on them like a flood of water.” Hosea 5:10

Lord, will You have mercy on the confusion, injustices, and bitter responses to this event? Will You bring conviction of sin, Holy Spirit, to victim and victimizer? I remember these things to You today. Come and heal our land!

Also, Lord I acknowledge my ability to run over another’s personal boundary stones. I have sinned against You, myself, wife, family, etc. through sinful force of will. Lord have mercy! We as Minnesotans’ and Americans’ and Native Americans’ are all guilty of not respecting another human’s limits. We have offended You when we hold offense in our heart towards ANY of Your children! We have offended You when we use the power of law, popular opinion, and the authority of government to FORCE another’s actions for our gain and benefit.

Hear my prayer, King of the Universe, because You are: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands (of generations), and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin.”… Exodus 34:6,7a Will You reverse the curses of Pike’s Treaty, and leave a blessing in it’s place?

*Note – PrayThroughHistory uses the timeline located for several years at the Minnesota Historical Society Web site, at this URL: mnhs.org/about/dipity_timeline.htm .  The current URL is www.dipity.com/Minnesota/History/Minnesota-History/ and only works if typed, not pasted, in browser. It is worth the effort!

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19th Century, Exploration, History, Intercession, Jesus, Minnesota, Native Americans

Snake River Fur Post 1804

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British fur trader John Sayer, a partner in the North West Company, leads a crew of 15 men up the Snake River. They build a fur post, trade with the Ojibwe over the winter, and leave in the spring with hundreds of furs.*

Jesus, thank you for the blessings of trade to Minnesota through this post. Will You forgive any offenses here through John Sayer, and redeem any future interactions with the Ojibwe? By Your authority, I want to bless the Ojibwe people at Snake River, their generations, and their dwellings! Lord help them fulfill the wonderful destiny You have in mind for them!

*Note – PrayThroughHistory uses the timeline located for several years at the Minnesota Historical Society Web site, at this URL: mnhs.org/about/dipity_timeline.htm .  The current URL is www.dipity.com/Minnesota/History/Minnesota-History/ and only works if typed, not pasted, in browser. It is worth the effort!

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18th Century, Economics, History, Intercession, Jesus, Minnesota, Native Americans

North West Fur Co. 1784  

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“Grand Portage on Lake Superior becomes the western headquarters of the new North West (fur) Company. From here the British dominate the North American fur trade until Americans arrive in the early 1800s.” *

Father, I thank You for the blessing of work. It’s good to be productive and provide for our families. It’s a blessing to find joy in our job, whether simple or complex!

I don’t know what type of dominance the North West Fur company exercised in GrandPortage. However, I want to acknowledge how human it is to want control. Lord, forgive the offenses of N.W.F. Co. against You, and any other human parties involved! Father forgive any counter-judgments made by trappers supplying pelts to N.W. Fur.

We easily slip into judgments against our bosses and authority figures. Lord, forgive my attempts to control my own work life through the control of others! Will You wipe the slate clean?

*Note – PrayThroughHistory uses the timeline located for several years at the Minnesota Historical Society Web site, at this URL: mnhs.org/about/dipity_timeline.htm .  The current URL is www.dipity.com/Minnesota/History/Minnesota-History/ and only works if typed, not pasted, in browser. It is worth the effort!

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19th Century, History, Intercession, Jesus, Minnesota

Louisiana Purchase Apr 30, 1803

The French sell their claims west of the Mississippi, including much of Minnesota, to the United States.*

Jesus, I simply ask that You bless the territory of the Louisiana Purchase. Will You come powerfully and establish Your grace and truth here in the intersection of the nations of France, the United States, and the First Nations?

*Note – PrayThroughHistory uses the timeline located for several years at the Minnesota Historical Society Web site, at this URL: mnhs.org/about/dipity_timeline.htm .  The current URL is www.dipity.com/Minnesota/History/Minnesota-History/ and only works if typed, not pasted, in browser. It is worth the effort!

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18th Century, Health, History, Intercession, Jesus, Medicine, Minnesota

Smallpox Epidemic 1782  

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Smallpox Epidemic

 

“Smallpox epidemic reaches Minnesota region.” *

Everlasting Father, thank you that You know how to keep Your creation in balance! Forgive our judgements of your goodness based on the trials caused by disease. I mourn the incredible pain caused by this smallpox epidemic! I remember their horrors to You, especially the emotion of powerlessness, as they watch loved ones die!

Father will You forgive  our sins and judgments towards You carried forward from this event? Help Minnesotans’ as we deal with any future epidemics. May we learn to look to You first for our healing, and not despise the great contributions to medicine received from: the Mayo brothers, the U of MN., Medtronic, and so many more contributors that I can recall!

*Note – PrayThroughHistory uses the timeline located for several years at the Minnesota Historical Society Web site, at this URL: mnhs.org/about/dipity_timeline.htm .  The current URL is www.dipity.com/Minnesota/History/Minnesota-History/ and only works if typed, not pasted, in browser. It is worth the effort!

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18th Century, Culture, Exploration, History, Intercession, Jesus, Minnesota

Carver Winters in Minnesota 1766 to 1767  

Jonathan Carver

Jonathan Carver

 

“Jonathan Carver, a former shoemaker from Massachusetts who claims to be a mapmaker, spends a winter in Minnesota as part of a western expedition. His mostly plagiarized account of his travels becomes a best seller in Europe. The book, “Travels through the Interior Parts of North America in the Years 1766, 1767, & 1768″, will be read in five different languages.” *

What a thoroughly human story: a man attaining significance mostly by borrowing the work of others! Father, I acknowledge the selfish ambitions of my heart! I too often strive for recognition, and forget that the King of the Universe has already accepted me; warts and all!!!

Lord I want to remember to You the hurts of those who Carver plagiarized. Will you free us from any bitterness resulting from his betrayal or their betraying in return through unforgiveness? Thank you for the good resulting from these stories. Thank you that You listen to our stories in spite of our glaring hypocrisies!

*Note – PrayThroughHistory uses the timeline located for several years at the Minnesota Historical Society Web site, at this URL: mnhs.org/about/dipity_timeline.htm .  The current URL is www.dipity.com/Minnesota/History/Minnesota-History/ and only works if typed, not pasted, in browser. It is worth the effort!

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18th Century, government, History, Intercession, Jesus, Minnesota, war

England claims 1763

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“England acquires France’s claims east of the Mississippi and all of Canada through the treaty that ends Europe’s Seven Years’ War.” *

Father, You have given us boundaries: as individuals, families, and nations! You  are a gentleman, and respect our self-imposed limits. You allow us to make good choices. You allow us to make bad choices. Thanks that You are our good dad who lets us learn through following our desires to their ends!

Lord will You unravel the tangle imposed by this claim? Lord, will you forgive any harsh judgments of the people of England, France, and their disputes surrounding the Mississippi? Will You forgive their land-based rivalries in Canada? Will You unite Minnesota in the heavens so we can be united as a people in our familial, social, political, and ethnical realms?

We judge each other so quickly and easily, forgetting that we too have betrayed. Have mercy on our assessments of other Minnesotans! Have mercy on the grudges of this state’s past, present, and future!

*Note – PrayThroughHistory uses the timeline located for several years at the Minnesota Historical Society Web site, at this URL: mnhs.org/about/dipity_timeline.htm .  The current URL is www.dipity.com/Minnesota/History/Minnesota-History/ and only works if typed, not pasted, in browser. It is worth the effort!

 

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18th Century, Catholic, Culture, government, History, Intercession, Jesus, law, Minnesota, Native Americans, Transference, war

Spanish Claims 1763  

Louis XV France

Louis XV France

“Half of Minnesota passes to Spain when France gives up her trade west of the Mississippi. The exchange happens not because of activity in the Americas but as the result of a war in far away Europe.

No Spanish representatives are known to have visited the area after this trade and the Dakota and Ojibwe know nothing of it. Spain will return the land to France in 1800.” *

Charles III of Spain

Charles III of Spain

Allow me to amplify this story? Louis XV had just lost the French and Indian War to Britain. This meant that Canada was claimed by England. Simultaneously, France was losing the Seven Years War on the Continent. He contacted his cousin, King Charles III of Spain, and secretly ceded his rights to all New France west of the Mississippi to Spain.

These facts are plain, Lord, but why would France yield such a massive stake in lucrative North America stretching from Louisiana through Minnesota? Was it pure politics and resentment of Britain? Was it born of familial ties between these men, or the bonds of the Catholic faith? It did bring an absence of war, but is absence of war the same as peace?

Lord, I don’t know how this transaction affected our state in this era. Help me see. It seems that Spain ruled with such a light touch that most Minnesotans were not aware of the change. Will You forgive any bondage or bitter roots created in this specific geographical territory because of the judgments held by Britain, France or Spain, Dakota or Ojibwe?

Whether these men were kind-hearted or connivers, that is Your judgment, but I acknowledge that we are no different today. We use or perhaps misuse whatever measure of authority or influence at our disposal when we feel our claims are threatened. We, like these two cousins, may secretively craft plans to block the advances of the opposing team to “keep it in the family.”

Will You teach us Your humility in our diplomacy? When we lose in life, may it not be doubled by the vow, “I will lose to anybody else, but not them.” Christ have mercy on us. May we become the generation that is content to be the humble, temporary tenants of Your land!

 

*Note – PrayThroughHistory uses the timeline located for several years at the Minnesota Historical Society Web site, at this URL: mnhs.org/about/dipity_timeline.htm .  The current URL is www.dipity.com/Minnesota/History/Minnesota-History/ and only works if typed, not pasted, in browser. It is worth the effort!

 

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