Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-04-01


The first objection is the impracticabii-
ty OF lis execution, il that is 10 depend on
treaties alone. Some OF the tribes in
whose removal we are most deeply con-
cerned, have peremplorily refused TO
abandon their native land. Those who
may be persuaded to emigrate, will car
| ny with tbem the same internal feuds
which are so destructive to their kind,
and for which no remedy is proposed.
Different tribes are 10 be placed in Jug
la position without controlling power,
between which, hereditary and Implacs-
bic hostllties have ragged, and which ale
not likely to be eppeased, ill the one Or
The other is eXtermineted. But these
difficulties surmoupted, in what relation
are they TO stand to the United States
The history of every age teaches US how
difficult il has been to maintain tranquil
ty between conterminous and Independent
states--thougb civilized. How must
that difficulty be increased, when one oil
the parties is savage? Thelts and muir
ders, and numberess causes Of discor,l,
must inevitably precipiiae collisions
which cannot but prove iataito the weak
err party. And the same propensity
which has conducted the white popula-
ton to the remote regions they now oc-
cupy, will continue to propel the tide,
till tits arrested only by the distant shores
OF the Pacific. Before this resslless cur
rent, the Indian must retire til his name
will be DO more. 1t would be, however,
worse than useless to waste your lime in
multiplying objections TO existing plans
Il have, therefore, surprising it to be
within the duty assigned me by the COM
mitiee, submitted the prolect of bill,
with such provisions as think, under al |
he circumstances, are best calculated
to effect the desired object.
In performing the service assigned by
he committee, whose wishes a lone won!t
have been sufficient inducemen Oh my
part 10 render Cheerful! compliance,
have further rfascn---a desire to com
ply with the requests OF the people of
the United States residing in the neigh
borhood OF lndian settlements. The De-
/ paument is continually pressed wilh APP
! phcations, from New Z ork to Arkansas,
TO a lnpt measures 10 eytlngosh the In
dan titles to heir lands, and remove the
Indians. An unavaiing attempt - OBJ
tain cessinn OF their lands Is sometlln cs
sscrIbed by the disappointed to igoo-
/ rance, Or want OF zeal, or some worse
motive on the part Of Agents employed
and nc@ attempts to negotiate are So
licHcd with unabated imp1aueHy. IBe
obsIinacy of the Indians, arising from
their partial civilization, whose reno
val we most wish, fully oiua!s the zeal
oil those who wish 10 procure their lands
and hence, an insupefabe difficulty
presents itself OF eIecliue, by treaties,
the object which is 50 desirable, OF pu.-
ting an end 10 this fruitful source oil col
! iSIan.
am not arrogant enough 70 suppose
that il is free from all objections. For /
am aware hat no plan, which human in
genui'y could suggest, would be alto
geiber exempt, as The subject is encom-
passed on every side with difficulties.
The utmost reach OF my hopes is limit
ed TO diminution OF these difficulties,
both in number and extent. Il is only
by comparison aln satisfied that my
scheme can solicit preference, | sub
nit the outlines OF lie BILL the princi-
pies OF which are the following:
First. The country West OF the Mis-
sisslppi, and beyond HE States and Ter
riiorIes, aud so much on the East Of The
Mississippi as lies West of Lakes Hu.
ron and Michigan, is to be set apart for
their exclusive abode.
Secondly. Their removal by indivi-'
duass, in contradistinc,lon TO tribes.
Thirdly. A Territorial Governm cnt
to be maintained by the United States.
Fourthly. II circumstances shall even
tually justify it, The extinction OF Tribes
and their amalgamslion into one mass,
and distribution OF property among the
individuals.
Filthy. 1t leaves the condition oil
those that remain unaltered.
In offering few remarks upon these
different heads, beg leave to call the
attention OF the committee TO the leading
principle Of the bill, namely: That no.
thing is proposed to be done, in refe-
renee TO the Indians, zvithout their ozun
consent. In making this preliminary
to our acting, have been influenced ra-
Their by desire to relieve the proposed
plan from objections, than from any set
lied convictions Of its necessity. The
relations between the United States and
the Indians, are SO entirely peculiar, that
~ lie IL, "A, G,,rlt tn r.(ar tn
well settled principles by which 10 as