Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-29

the territory of Arkansas" was read a
third time, passed, and sent to the Sc
nate.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The House then passed to the un.
finished business Of yesterday, and took
up the bill Ito regulate the Post Office
Department"
On several of the sections of this
lengthy bill, considerable debate arose,
in which many Members, besides the
Chairman of the Post Office Commit
tee, Mr. J. T. JoHNsoN,) took part
Several attempts were made, so'thoui
success, to introduce amendments. One
of these, which proposed to strike out
that part of the bill which gives juris-
diction to the State Courts to try cri-
minals who shall rob the mail, &c. gave
rise to an interesting discussion, Of
which, had our columns been recently
less exclusively devoted to the reports
of Debates, we should have furnished
a report.
At a late hour, the Committee rose,
and hat leave to sit again.
The 70 lowing message was received
from the resident Of the U. States !;
which was read:
Tothe Houseof Representatives Of the D. States:
Being deeply impressed with the opinion,
that the removal of the Indian tribes from the
lands which they now occupy within the limits
of the several States and Territories, to the
country lying westward and northward there
Of, within our acknowledged boundaries, is of
very high importance to our Union, and may
be accomplished on conditions and in man.
erto promote the interests and happiness Of
those tribes, the attention of the government
has been long drawn, with great solicitude, to
the object For the removal of the tribes
within the limits of the State of Georgia, the
motive has been peculiarly strong, arising from
the compact with that State, whereby the u
nited states are bound to extinguish the Indian
title to the lands within it, whenever il may be
done peaceably and on reasonable conditions.
In the fllillment Of this compact 1 have
thought that the United States should act with
generous spirit, that they should omit moth.
ing which would comport with liberal con.
struction Of the instrument, and likewise be in
accordance with the just rights Of those tribes.
From the view which have taken of the sub
ject, am satisfied that, in the discharge Of
these important duties, in regard to both the
parties alluded to, the United States will have
to encounter no conflicting interests with eth.
er On the contrary, that the removal Of the
tribes from the territory which they now inha.
bit, to that which was designated in the mes
sage at the commencement of the session
which would accomplish the object for Geor
gia, under well digested plan for their 60
vemment and civilization, which should be a.
greeable to themselves, would not only shield
them from impending ruin, but promote thei,
welfare and happiness Experience has clear
ly demonstrated, that, in their present state, il
is impossible to incorporate them, in such
masses, in any form whatever, into our system
1t has also demonstrated, with equal certainty.
| that, without timely anticipation Of, and pro
vision against, the dangers to which they are
exposed, under causes which it will be diff
cult if not impossible to control, their degreda
| ton and determination will be inevitable.
The great object to be accomplished is, the
| removal of those tribes to the territory desig
mated, on conditions which shall be satisfacto
| ~ to themselves, and honorable to the Unitec
States. This can be done only by conveying
to each tribe good title to an adequate por
ton ofland, to which it may consent to remove
and by providing for it there, a system of in
ternal government, which shall protect thei
property from invasion, and, by the regula
progress of improvement and civilization, pre-
vent that degeneracy which has generally
marked the transition from the one to the 9th
er State.
transmit herewith, report from the Sc
cretary of War, which presents the best est
mate which can be formed, from the docu
ments in that Department, of the number o
Indians within our States and Territories, anc
of the amount of lands held by the severa
tribes within each; of the state of the coun
try lying northward and westward thereof
within our acknowledged boundaries; of tn,
parts to which the Indian title has alread,
been extinguished; and of the conditions OF
which other parts, in an amount, which ma,
be adequate to the object contemplated MAJ
be obtained. By this report, it appears tina
the Indian title has already been extinguishet
to extensive tracts in that quarter, and that O
ther portions may be acquired, to the exten
desired, on very moderate conditions Salts
fled also am, that the removal proposed i
not only practicable but that the advantage
attending to the Indians, may be made so ap
parent to them, that all the tribes, even thos,
most opposed, may be induced to accede to i
at no very distant day.
The digest of such a Government, with tn,
consent Of the Indians, which should be en-
dowed with sufficient powers to meet all tn,
objects contemplated; to connect the severa
tribes togetherin bond of anity, and pre-
serve order in each; to prevent intrusions OF
their property; to teach them by regular in
structions, the arts of civilized life, and max,
them civilized people, is an object of yer,
high importance. 1t is the powerful consi
deration which we have to offer to these tribes
as an inducement to reinquish the lands OF
which they now reside, and to remove Il
those which are designated. 1t is not doubt
ed that this arrangement will present consi
derations Of sufficient force to surmount al
their prejudices in fator Of the soil of thei
nativity, however strong they may be. Thei
| elders have sufficient intelligence to discern