Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-01-24

beer nm
with that
"ON THE INDIANS OF ". AMERICAS
we have seldom met with production combining so
many incidents 10 interest fancy and our feelings or
SO hee' IN The man, from defects and errors both of
opinion and TACT, and III which 50 few positions ,re 20
heu, from which we have any disposition in d;sso,,
us suo]ect rs ct all times interesting but pecuorv en-
., w" .ii'e' Our INDIAN relations greatly multi
pe~ VI iae, ana are withal, assuming character of
ueeper gravity than has hitherto distinguished Thorn
There has gone forth enlghteninp amonc norops r
'hese people, which, whilst it has elevated their moral
c'a'acter ana melioraed their condition. has made il
more a'ic"it 10 treat with item for their possessions
man formerly and this reluctance has occasioncd nm
on the other band, much warmth arnonu ,Ios. ,,n,ii
atey Interested IN obtaining them. But are these p2o
PIC lot reasons OF THIS SORT TO be kept involved i'm the
blackness of darkness and forever and in defiance Of
eo'ga'ions the most imposing and sacred, which de-
naDd II OF our government 10 enlgtcn and blgss IL or,
because of the higher estimate which, even a partial CON
Iofy TO this obligation has enabled them to take of
lher lands; and tie greater reluctance whc il occa
sons IN them to lay aside the few garments of the cyi
lized state which they have been induced TO take nm
ana TO resume the vestgcs of their ba rbarsm Nenr
lnis government, nor any other, do this with impu
MY and without incut ring those penalties of tho nb
nc opinion winch arc heard in dcnunci;.tions and
which, oil all the countries the earth. ours is houp
oy the strongest Obligations 10 avoid II there be any
one no!iga'on more binding than another upon any go
VeTnnen In regard TO those who are under its nro,ec
on II is 10 relieve, first the distresses of the most lie
tressed; and to eniigten the most benghtcd and irro
rant and in country these are clnphaticalIr orr
iEdiuns. ~
When feast is made. it is not The rich and the ,o,
ertul that commanded 10 invite rs m,cs,s bu
the poor, and the feeble and the destitute and il, IS m
compliance with this command that nations as well
as individuals, look with confidence or the s,,os
and the blessings of Heaven.
The article before is written with great ability and
u.s. doubtless from the pen Of disng ished citizen
whose opportunities have been far superior to- those of
the great majority OF persons no write upon subjects
connected with Indians and I,ar ~
pecialy must he have had unusual share of varied
and personal intercourse with the various tribes and
not wit, those only which border our settlements but
those also who far bcy ond the limits which, sol
bounds TO our civilized population
The article pens with sketch of the ha bits and Gus
toms OF the natives who occupied the country al the ne
ROD OF lis dIScovery--and Ie rude and uncul;iv at,d
haolts OF those times interestingly and
pictured, also the manner of the natives of subsist
ing, and their dexterous and Gcceptous feats SC
apld bat luminous sketch is also given of their
condition; and those early, bat unaYailing methods
which were resorted TO by the Jesuts are noticeJ-
efforts which, though doubtless well meant were con-
hnfi chiefly TO crecdS and ceremonies, and in which
" W ctous cacstons were made assume a false i'm
portance, and the Doctors of the Sarbonnc were r1e
y required TO decide whether beavers tails uirt be ca
ten, in Canada, in lcin
lie entire article may be viewed cpilotnc of
he earlier, and later and present condition. of our In
diansthe more leading features of it being structures
the works of Heckwcldcr and Hunter and ON the re-
cent travels of Major Long Those on the first on,hracc
mary interesting and valuable pathological Criticisms;
whilst, on the second the certainty of demons IS
cmpoyed; by which Hunters work is shown TO be ic-
ton, AID IFS rePuted anhor inposlor Those on the
last may be received rather corrections which are
made IN the s?It OF great kindness. Dcser, cdly high
enconiums are passed upon MAJOR Long and his pari,;
and the errors which pointed attributed and
no doubt with Justice, the too rapI movements of Inc
expedition, which rendered impracticablc for IL TO
collect the materials for history and ST. TO them
free them from errors Which too much base il,
tIp nrO nfe such ttr,Ja
rIy produce. But Major Long is less 10 blame for this
than IS That spirit which has been apt TO pervade
our councils, and which, the whrlwind of false eco
nemy, has driven agents through undertakings Of
the most important character If the, had gone forll,
not TO collect facts for history and The arts Tor natural
philosophy and the sciences IN general, but ascertain
10 how short space OF lime Journey of gwen num-
Der Of miles could be performed. ~ are the friends
OF cconomy-wc rank among the foremost of the re
publican virtues: But there more kinds Of economy
tan There is that which husbands with ,njser
care, and yet leads poverty and dsgrace and there
is that which applies freely and leads 10 wealth and ,o
nor. 1t is the last appreciate 1t was the first
that made poor during tic last war; il is the last
that has expended millions upon Notifications and roads
&c. c-monumCnls which stand for the towers of our
strength and security, and the certain prevenyes Of
wastcful expenditure and of poverty.
When an expedition Of science, and Of discovery is
undertaken il ought TO be provided with all the means
necessary fer the accomplishment Of the objects dcstin
ed to be cmbracedby it, and among these IS Time Ne
WI ShOu oiS Oc SSHt OUT III quest OF Objects such
were in Tie view of Major Long, without sulTicency
of at least this essential prerequisite The consequence
0f an omission 10 make this important calculation is
that only part of the design be accomplshed-hus
leaving the way oPcn for another excursion, and the re-
curence OF The cost OF another preparation, Which, like
the former makes way for another and another and for
no earthly purpose but 10 create doubt in regard TO tho
accuracy Of all
Our Indians, and their present condition. as people
may be pointed to standing monument of our want
ola right conception Of economy in regard to them
because few mo doubt well meaning) Jesuits did not
cvlize these PEOPLE some concluded lhey could not be
civilized; and when few scattered missionaries Of la
ter times failed TO finish the great work it was esteem
cd By others 70 he confirmation strong as byv writ
that he Indians were, sure enough incapable Of being
reformed! But can any nan point s. stcn (if tie
present be eXCeptedand which, though IN all rcspccf
suited 10 re great object is not sustained by the means
which ought TO be provided for ill., any man VIC ask
point TO system, worthy either Of the British or tie
mcrican governments; and 10 the application ofrnt ans
adequate to sustain It, Tr part we know Of no
thing EXCEPT the present, that is worthy being consi
dered in The light Of even serious uienpL 10 provide
one. Meanwhile, however, owing TO the rude and bar
I t,arc ecIe, -cC L,r.l 4