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


ing to many of the tribes by own measures. |
Can it be matter of surprise, that they hear, with
unmixed Indignation, OF what seems to them our
ruthless purpose of expelling them from their
country, thus endeared? They that our pro-
fessions nsincere; that promises have been
broken; that the happiness of the Indian is cheap
sacrifice to the acquisition of new lands; and
when attempted to be soothed by an assurance that
the country to which we propose to send them is
desirable, they em2hatieally ask US, wha, new
pledges you give US that shall not again be
exiled when il is your wish TO possess these lands,
1t is easier 70 state, than to answer this question
regard to consistency, apart from every other
consideration, requires change of measures. Ell
Their let him retain and enjoy his home, Or ifhe is
to be driven from it, abstain from chershing illu-
sions we mean TO disappont, and thereby make
him to feel more sensbly the extent of his loss
Having pointed out the incongrutes of this sys-
tern, so unhapply organized that it contains within
Itself the causes Of its own abortion, proceed to
review the more modern plans of removing the
different tribes from the East to the West of the
Mississippi. That this plan originated in that be-
nevolenee for which its author is distinguished
is cheerfully admitted; but that IL too, is obnox-
ious 10 many objections, fear, is no less true
The first objection is the mpracticability of its
execution, if that is TO depend on treaties alone
some OF the tribes in whose removal we are most
deeply concerned, have peremptorily refused TO
abandon their native land Those who nav be
persuaded to emgrate, will carry with them the
same internal feuds which destructive 10
Their Kind, and for which no remedy is proposed
Different tribes TO be placed in juxtaposiou
without controlling power, between which.
hereditary and mpacabe hostilites have RACED and
wh'cn are not likely to appeased, till the one or
The other is eXterminated But these difficulties
surmouned, in what relation are they to stand to
the O.S The history ofevery age teaches us how
dificuit 1t has been to maintain tranquility between
contentious and independent States though civil
lied. How must that difficulty be increased. when
one OF the parties is Savage9 Thefts ard murders
a'id number'ess causes of discord, must inevitably
precipitae collisions which cannot but prove fatal
to the weaker party. And the same prouenstv
which has conducted the white population TO the
remote regions they now occupy, will continue 10
prope the tide, till 1t IL arrested only by the dis
tant shores of the Pacific. Before this resistless
current, the Indian must retire till his name will be
no more. II would be, however, worse than use
less 10 waste your time in multiplying objections
10 existing plans-I have, therefore sl,pposinp i,
10 be within the duty assigned me by the Commit,
zee, submitted the project Of bill, with such pro
visiohsa think, under all the circumstances, are
best calculated TO effect the desired object
In performing the service assigned by the Com
nittee, whose wishes alone would have been suf
hcient lnducement OH my part to render a cheerful
compliance, L have a further reason-a desire IN
comply with the requests Of the People of the JJni
ted States residing in the neighborhood of India,
settlements The Department is continually pressed
with applications, from New York to Arkansas
10 adopt measures 10 extnguish the Indian titles 10
their lands, and remove the Indians. An NAVAL.
ing attempt to obtain a cession of their Iaods ia
sometimes ascribed by the disappointed to ieno-
rance or want OF ZEAL or some worse nootya.
on the part OF Agents employed-and new at
ternp's 10 negotiate are solicited with unabated i'm
portunity. The obstnacy of the Indians. arising
from their partial civilization, whose removal we
most wish, fully equals The zeal of those who wish
to procure their lands; and hence, an nsuper,b,e
difficulty presents itself of effectns, by treaties
the object which is desirable, of putting an end
to this fruitful source of colisi.r
am not arrogant enough to suppose that IL ia
free from all objections. For am aware that No
plan which human ingenuity could suggest, would
oe altogether exempt, as the subject is encompassed
on every side, wiil difficulties The utmost reach
OF my hopes is limited to diminuton of these
difficulties, both in number and extent II ;s onI
by comparison l am satisfied that my scheme can
solicit preference ] submit the outlines nj the
Dill. the principles OF which the foowine:
First. The country West of the AIississippi and
beyond the States and Territories and so much ON
the East OF the Mississippi as lies West of Lakes
huron ana Michigan, Is to be set apart for their
exclusive abode
Secondly. Their removal by individuals. in
contradstinction to tribes
Thirdly. a Territorial Government to be main
tanned by the United States
fourthiy ii circumstances shall eventually iusti
fy it, the extinction of tribes, and their arnajSama
ton into one mass, and distribution of property
among The individuals.
Filthy. 1t leaves the condition If those that
remain, unaltered
In Offering few remarks upon these different
heads, beg to call the attention of the committee
to the leading principle of the bill, namely: That
nothing Is proposed TO be done in reference 10 the
indians' UithoW their oUn consent la making
this preliminary to our acting, have been in
Huenced rather by desire 10 relieve the proposed
plan from objections, than from any settled com
yIcuon oil lis necessity The relations between the
United states and the Indians are so entirely ne
cuilar, that ii IS extremely difficult to refer to any
weli-settled principles by which ascertarthe ex
tent OF our authority over him. Our ancestors as
well as every European nation that seized upon
their country, denounced them as Heathens utterly
out OF Inc pale OF civil society, and, as a conse-
quence, disposed of them according to their will
and pleasure From the adoption of the Federal
Government, however, they were regarded, to
some extent, as an independent People. Hence,
treaties were made with them for the surrender of
the usufruct of their lands. On the other hand
they "ers denied the exercise Of this right as res
poets other nations, and were even restrained from
selling their lands to our own citizens And beside
regulating their trade Congress- went 50 far as TO num-
fs by the decisions of our own courts for ofTences
committed within without their own territorie.
In forbearng TO go further, il is left to conjecture
whether 1t arose from want of authority, or the
expectancy Of exercising it. To avoid, therefore.
any difficulty which different opinions might p,o-,
duce on this point, their consent has been made
necessary by the BILL requisite 10 its operstion
The hrst provision looks to the procuren,e,t og