Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-03-07
Tbs Constitutional aaanfn-

meu accompanied by outlines of bill f ho
OF , ON, OF the Indian tribes From the frs
" 'ese we make the following extract:
'lt Is now, that most solemn question ,,,o.so :,
sell 10 the American people and busn .n.,,ar - FL, -
Shai we go quietly i'm a course which
Eia Hotl 'he past, threatens the extinction of the
ihuas while their past suternrs and fura nrosn,r,.
r""e"Caiiy appeal TO our compassion? The respon.
slty TO which refe,, is what nation o,vos Tn ;te,r
! =, t tu'e CHARACTER IN all time 10 come For next
10 me means of self defence and the boss;,oo f e.
i'en', sialds, IN point of Importance the ch,rac
tero nation lis distinguishing characterised
"e, Jus'ce ana moderation. To spare the weak j, s
o''9hest ornament. 1t is, therefore source of tho
'Ss' Sfatiuca'iOn, that opDortunitv ia no,z oaro
the United States practice these unax,ms and 80
an example oi the triumph of liberal principles over
'a sor2i selhsness which has been the fruitful sprin
OF human calamity. pug
| II is the province of hisforv In con,,;, ., =.
Tue transactions OF nations. Posterity look 10 this e
pS WIN 'he mo- intense interest The fair fame of
e' ancestors a NEST precious iuheritagc is TO them
equally source of pride, and a motive of continncd
SOD actions Bat she performs her prov,nce viii ;
Ps'uay. The authority she exercises in the absence
u c"ets' Is check on bad rule. The yrant and ,e
"Plessor see, IN the character of their protovucs the
sentence posterity is preparing for them yyLi Ia
o 'he picture shall we elect, for the decision is left ~
ourselves Shall her record transmit the nree,nt 70,
10 'n'ure generations, standing by usensie IN tho
PoSress the desoation whiLS threatens the remnant
OF MS people, or shaIhese unfriendly Characters ive
p'cc 10 generous effort which shall have been made
~ save 'hen from destruction While celebrating ON
violence, whose delight is Justice and mercy md ,,
counrii from the oraces of his ILL., revealed 10 man in
ms terrible denunciaions against the oppressor.u
After we have persuaded Indians To abandon their
migratory habits furnished them with utensils nd TO-
pieWentS for the cultivation of the earth then r,r -,
10 claim the lands cultivated-the Injustice of scb
woILS- ~ 'hs
Aud when they have so done a,or send ANN, Aan,
i" tcii them ey must surrender their country to the
o man. ana Tc'conmit themselves some new de-
go anu substitute as the means of their subsistence
ious chase for the certainty of guilty
lie love oil our native land is implanted in every hui
% oGSoi whether he roanis the Wilderness or is found
III the highest state of civilization
"Ihey see that professions are ins;ncero. tho, ~
promises nave been broken: that the happiness of the
inuian is cheap sacrifice to the acquisition of new
ianu2 ana when attempted to be soothed By an assn
rance that the country which we nrono:a m sana
them is desirable, they emphaucalr rs nc ,ytst NON
peoses can you give us that will not aran be ex
ilcd wien 1t Is your wish to possess these lands.u
hsf 10 mitigate than to eradicate such a grievance:
First The country West of the AIississiepi and be
You'd the states and territories and go much nm tic
eas! o. Tie mississippi lies West of I.akes Huron
aud Michigan, is TO be set .,ort f.9,,a; 80, ~"
abode N' :
Secondly. Their removal by Individuals !, co,,r.
distinction 10 tribes.
Thirdly. territorial government to be main.ainea
by the Z ned States.
Forthy. If circumstances shall eve,ir,lI- ;ua,;e
H. the extraction OF tribes, add their ainalama ton into
one mas and distribution of property among the in
divi.ut!a. ~ "
Filthy. Itcaves The condition of tboso that ooo;r
unaitcreI."
The distinguishing features of this bill are thu, mo-
thing to be done for the Indians without their own CON
The Secretary says; 'ncludnS the lands as a part
iylhg between Lakes Michigan and Huron and the ri.
yer Mississippi have been governed as well bv the
above considerations, the that is now in the
occupancy OF the Indians, and from lis usual features
| Is los IL Al
items. -
The principal recommendation of this plan, next 10
me advantages 10 be gained by ourselves is that the
future residence of these peope will BIZ forever nd;e
tu' ben-ihat there, at least they will lind home and
resting place. And being exclusively under the con-
t"' Oh thc United States and consequently free from
me riVai claims o. any of The States, the former NAV
pgh' us most solemn faith, that il shall be theirs Io
yer, and this guaranty is therefore piycn
The second provision referred to- is that OF cfectine
Their removal By portions less than whole tribes when
the latter IS mpractcabe. Some the tribes in whose
immediate removal we particularly interested have
| expressed fixed determination against an exchange
OF Their lands Ihs difficulty is said arse from the
ih'hence OF their chiefs, who have appropriated the
most ere lands 10 themselves and have become wea
thy Their consent to remove cannot be obtained: hut
he MAJORITY or large portions of the tribe who have nc
such nducemeot TO remain asserted by those who
know or pretend TO know their wishes may be persuad
ed to eDiorate.
The third object of the bill is the establishment of
/ territorial government by thc United States for their
I'o'eC'iop ana CIVILIZATION The bill proposes Coy
crhoT, three Judges and Secretary, he appointed
by the President with tho advice and Of the
Senate and such qualifications in detail the Presi-
dent shall ordan, subject 10 the appreciation of Con-
fourth object Of the bill is, the division of their
lands in such manner, and at such times as tho Presi
dent may think proper Tic object of this provision
is, TO give the power The President when in his iud
circumstances will Justify it, 10 distribute the land
among the individuals by metes ard bounds ~ contradis.
tincton 10 its being held in common by a tribe. No
n thing, il believed, has had injurious influence
on efforts improve the condition Of the Indians
than holding their land IN common.
Lastly, the bill leaves tose that remain TO the wis
dom and justice Of posierity IT, as beloved the mum
Der disposed 10 emgratc IS comparatively great those
that remain VIII be few that their condition may bs
regulated without committing violence on their wish
es or their interests and yet reconcuc their residence
with the prosperity Of the whites II is obvious from
surrender their distinction OF race for the resemblance
~ the white and accent. as an equivalent, the