Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-04

and have become wealthy. IHsU
consent 10 remove cannot be obtained; but the
or large portions of the tribe, who have
no such nducement to remain, il is asserted bythose
who know, or pretend to know their wishes. may
be persuaded to emigiate BY the proposed plan,
the fact can be ascertained, and whatever portion
may be willing to go, will under this provision, be
The third object Of the bill is. the establishment
of Territorial Government by the United States,
for their protection and their civilization. The Dill
proposes a Governor. ,hree Judges, and Secre-
tary, to be appointed by the President. with the
advice and consent of the Senate, and such modi-
fcations in detail the President shall ordain,
subject to the appreciation ofCongress.
have already intimated, in former part oil this
report the consequences Of sending the Indians to
the country destined for their final abode, without
some controlling authority. Without this, they VIII
be exposed 10 endless mischiefs 1t Is not neces-
sary TO prescribe particularly in the bill their 60
vernment It's organization may safely be deposit
ell in the hands of the President, subject to the
control of Congress. will, nevertheless, suggest
that, as soon as the civilization OF the Indians
would admit of it, 1 wosld give them legislative
body, composed of Indians, TO be selected, IN the
early stages, by the President, and eventually 10
be elected by themselves, we'll for the purpose
of enacting such laws would be agreeable to
themselves, rs for the purpose OF exciting their
ambition. Distinction being the object OF univer-
sal pun sui, with man, whether barbarous or civil
ized it is presented to the Indians in this scheme
They will be taught that there is another road to
it than through blood and slaughter. The obJec-
ton the part of the most intelligent, TO an ANAL
gamation with the whites, il, that they can never
rise to Offices Of trust and profit. Here this ditii
Guilty will be removed In time, let W. indulge the
hope, that they will be competent TO seli-g"vern
ment when they may be lef entirely to themselves,
and when, in consequence, their ambition viii
hnd its proper theatre, and be gratified; then none
will have any adequate motive to remain among
the whites.
4 fourth object of the bill, is, the division of
their lands in such manner, and at such times, as
The President may think proper. The object OF
this provision is, to give the power to the Presi
dent, when, i'll his judgment, circumstances vii!
justify it, to distribute the land among the indi
viduals by me,es and bounds, in conradistincIion
its being held in common by tribe. Nothing, 1t
IS believed, has had more injurious influence on
efforts to improve the condition of the Indi
ans, than holding their land in common. Whether
such system may succeed, on very limited scale
when under benefcent pairiarchal authority, Is
yet to be ascertaned. Past experience has left
the strongest evidence against its practicability i,
under less favorable auspices. The attempt of tina
kind in the first settlement of Virginia, and be-
lieve, in the early settlements elsewhere, conduct
which they rescued only By abandoning it,
The distribution of the soil, and the individuality
impaired to the avas of its cultivation, history
informs us, instantly gave new and favorable
pect to their condition. How far the strong mo-
,ives OF human action may be modified by educa-
ton and habit may be lef, in the hands of the spec
ulative philanthropists. The only safe rule of
governments, is. TO act on human nature as il is,
and conform its changes of policy to new but well
ascertained Developments. If, therefore, the posi-
ton be just one, that every attempt at a commu-
nifty of property has eventuated unsuccess;ully
even with civilized man, it is no matter of wonder
that it should have been equally so with the saw
age. To the lands thus granted, add literally all
that is necessary to enable them etfectually to sue
coed in their condition; implements of husban-
dry, mechanics for repairing them, domestic ami
mails, and supplies of food. BY directing part Of
the funds at present paid for annuities udiciously
under proper Agents, to be appointed by the UNI
ted States, and long necessity req uired it, the
Indians might be brought by degrees; to a love of
civilized life, and be reconciled to the performance
of its duties And although the difficulty of induc-
ing him 10 labor, is duly appreciated, vet, when
its benefits once realized in the individuality of
its productions, and by increasing his comforts, the
hope scarcely be deemed desperate which pla
ces him under the same influences as the white
man. refer to the document Il, disclosing in
on DrdUCn OF the subject.
The principle fixed, the time of its application to
different tribes might be left the discretion of the
President, who, In its exercise, would conform to
circumstances, commencing with those most con-
venent and most civilized, and cautiously extend
ing its application till the whole be embraced The
money annually expend on our Indian relations.
and frequently not very profi,abIy to them. from
the manner OF their appropraiing it, would fur
nish an ample fund to meet any probable expense
arising from the execution of this plan. BY refer
ence 10 document a, it will be seen that tbi. wear
we have had to pay for this object 1871 1927 IA.
To those advantages may be added the conside
ration thai, after individual distribution, the eff
fort OF the whites dispossess them of their lands
thus held must The indi idual APPROPRIATION
OF land gives sanctity to the title which inspires
respect in nations the most barbarous 1t would
repress, with us, any thought of disturbing il
When this is effected their distinction of tribes ma
easily be abolished, and the whole consolidated in
to one great family. And lastly, the bill leaves
those that remain, to the wisdom and Justice of DOS
teriy. IF, is believed, the number disposed 10
emgrate is comparatively great, those that remain
will be so few that their condition may be reguIa-
ted without committing violence on their wishes or
their interests, and yet reconciling their residence
with the prosperity of the whites. II is obvious
from causes that need not be enumerated. tbev
must soon surrender their distinction of race for the
resemblance oil The white man, and accept, as an
equivalent, the blessings which that resemblance
cannot fail to bring with it a peaceful but sure
remedy, which may be safely left to time alone to
produce.
will add, that the end proposed is the happi.
ness of the Indians the instrument Of its accom-
plishment their progressive, and finally, their
complete civilization. The obstacles to success
are their ignorance, their preiudices, their repug
nance TO labor, their wandering propensities, and
the uncertainty Of the fuQre. | would endeavor
TO overcome these by schools by distribution