 Taliaferro built a council house west of the fort in 1823, where he carefully distributed government food and supplies and provided other services to the Indians.Taliaferro's cooperation with the Indians ensured good relations and helped to avert open hostilities between the Ojibwe and the Sioux.Colonel Snelling's health began to decline in early 1826, and the prescribed treatment of opium and brandy accelerated his alcoholism.