Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-11-26
From the Albion.
MR. pucMANAN's WORE on rHE 1NprANs.

10 call the attention of the pilantlmopic to this iu-
tercstiug but unfortunate race of beings. 9. To
their character from the obloquy it is SO Gus
tomary to cast on it; and 3. To devise means for |
the r civilizations, least for the amelioration of
the, present condition. Perhaps we cannot do
better than make the following extract from the
preface:-
With but few exceptions, the American In |
dians have been abandoned by the Christian |
world, as a cruel, bloo1-thirsty, and treacher- |
GUS race, incapable of civilization, and there |
FORE unworthy of that attention which the inha-
bitants of other barbarous clmcs have received
from the zeal and devotion of many learned and
Plous members of society.-Thousands have
raised their voices against the wrongs of our
black brethren of Africa. From one end of
Europe to the other, the humane have been a.
reused to sense of their injuries, and are now
actively engaged in the prosecution of every
measure calculated to alleviate their sufI;,rinrs:
while but few have been stimulated to similar
exertions III behalf of the Red American Indi-
ans, from whose native soil the wealth OF a
great portion of the civilized world has been
derived. The African is submissive; his patti
ent endurance of labour renders his servle and
debascd state important to us: he is therefore,
preserved. The North American Indian, on the
contrary, prefers Punishment, and even death,
to slavery; but has lands are seryiceable to U.S.
therefore his extinction seems to be desired
The one submits to the yol1c,-we Cypress and
pity him; the other disdains to become the ser
want of man-and his whole race is devoted TO
gradual determination; for such must be the inc
vitable consequence of all those measures which,
have been, and sill in operation against
him, though their inflicton is marked by differ
ent shades of guilt. In few ages, perhaps
few years, these sons of Edom will be so far re-
moved from the reach or eye of any but those
engaged in the work of destruction. that no
trace will be left to postcrity of the wrongs
which have been pcrpetrated upon the Abort
g'nes OF the great American continent.
confess that had no other idea of an Amc-
ncan Indian, than that he was the most ferocious
ot human beings. Whenever no was narn-
ed, ms scaiping-knite, toGnahawk, warvyIoop,
and thirst OF blood, were at once associated II,
my mind; and hence was led TO concur in the
almost universal opinion tlat he was totally in
capable OF being rendered subscrvent to the arts
Oh ciViilIcd Ire. In the course of my travels
through the United States and upper Canada |
met with several Indians, whose external wretch
edness induced me TO make enquiries as to their
present condition; and although many persons
TO whom addressed myself appeared to be per-
tectly indifferent on the subject, and spoke OF
them IN the most degrading terms, was led to
seek for further information respecting their
character, in the pursuit of which have been
engaged for three years.
Little did imagine, that one OF the most in
terestlng subjects that can present itself to the
Feiopement of which would require the united
and eX ended iabours of men of talent and re-
search, the absolute devotion of their time and
energies, to place before the world an impartial
view of the Indians of North America. whose
virtues, independence of mind, and nobieness of
character, have procured from their oppressors,
as aJustlhcation of those measures of severity
which have been practised toward them, the
most foul and unjust representations. They
nave been gradually wasting away from the eff
tects OF cruelty and oppression, UNDECIDED and
unpitied, until their aggregate number, il is
conIcctured, has been reduced TO less than two
millions.
IL has hitherto been the policy of those by
who:n the North American Indians nave been
most oppressed, to represent them as very con-
ternptibic in numbers; and although they have
become nearly extinct on the borders. and in
seitiel portions of the continent it NAV be fair
~ presumed that the more warlke AMI active
tribes, have removed into the interior, as thew
have been found In numerous bodies hv aarfies
engaged IN all the late expeditions. suffici-
emf NUMBER, however, yet remains TO excite our
sympathy. The wrongs which have been in
f:ictci upon their whole race, have furnished
ample regions for the occupancy OF civilized
man. And docs not our past neglect of their
shfarings and abandoned state, loudly call r.pon
III to make rcparation for the ills they have en-
rei-to return to acts of Justice, mercy, aud
surviving Indians the religion we profess. BIZ all !
those means which the &, Del cnions5 In ,ha |
earnest nope that many may he led TO a sc.riors !
contemplation OF tins great and glorious object
That many with the talents, energy and bcreyo |
teIce OF q NIibcrforce, both in the United |
States AMI in Great Britain, may vet be founI |
20 intcrPose their power ahd energies in behalf |
O a race destitute OF the use of letters-tu vim
dicate Their character, and 10 set forth some Dor
ton OF their wrongs, have been lei TO prose
cute my inquiries respecting the North Ane- |
can Indians.
While engaged in these pursuits, learnt that
tha Historical Society of Pha 'ciohia. ac,uatcJ
by iauiaoie desire to preserve an account of
tue AOorigtnes, had requested the Rev. John
IieckcVelder, a Moravian Missionary, to fur
nl5h detail OF the information he had acouircd
durios residence Of the greater portion or his
'ite among the Indians Of PENNSYLVANIA and tho
states. That gentleman allhonc-h Sc |
Tenty i've years OF age, readily engaged IN the
arduous Undertaking, and his EHj,torical Ar
count OF the Indian Nationsn has been publish
cd IN the transactions of the Society, who have
mus rendered an important service 10 science
AMI to mankind; while the reverend author has
Lett on record an unparalleled example of he
HeVoience, sympathy, PATIENCE aad sclcdcvo !
ton. From the fitness of his work, dce,ncd
the further prosecution of nv laJours uuneces
'ary, lest M efforts might appear to lnlnv as .
mere prc5unDtujus DIS lIay. hal Il, .rof,rs !
1oiuioned all intention Of placing myself be- |
ore tue public but upon my arrival ia l.JnJon
n the Sumner Of 1920, havi0g casually spoken
u the interest h1i taken in the present state
'l the North ncrican nians, il was s.Irxcsf
a. That ifan ny observations a1j researches,