American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-03-17

lis necessity. The relations between the United
States and the Indians are so entirely peculiar, that
it is extremely difficult to refer to any well settled
principles by which to ascertain the extent OF our
authority over them. Our ancestors, es wei as ev-
cry European nation that sezed upon their country
denounced them as Heathens, utterly out OF The
pale Of civil society, and, consequence disposed
of them according to their will and pleasure. From
he adoption Of the Federal Government however,
they we're regarded, 10 some extent, as an ndepen-
dent People. Hence, treaties were made with them
for the surrender OF the usuruct OF their lands.
| On the other hand they were denied the exercise
o. this right as respects other nations and were even
restrained from selling their lands to our own GILL
zeps. And beside regulating their trade, Congress
went so far as punish, by the decisions ot our own
courts, for offences committed within or without
their own territories. In iorbearing to go further,
il is left to conjecture, wheh it arose from want
OF authority, or The expediency OF exercising It, 10
avoid therefore, any difficulty which different opIn-
ions might produce on this point, their consent has
been made necessary by the bill, as requisite to
its operation.
The first provision looks 10 the procurement OF
country Tor future residence beyond the settle.
ments OF the whites. Fortunately that object can
be easily effected In adopting the limits prescrib
ed in the bill, have pursued The plan heretofore
proposed In including the lands as part lying
between Lakes Michigan and Huron, and the River
Mississippi, ] have been governed as we'll by the
above consideration the fact that II is now IN the
occupancy Of the Indians, and, from its natural lea
lures, is not desirable a, present for the habaton
OF citizens.
The principal recommendation Of this plan, next
to the advantages to be gained by ourselves, s that
the future residence of these People will be forever
undslurbed- that there, at least, they will find
home and resting place And being exclusively
under the control of the United States, and conse-
quenlly, free from the rival clSims of any OF the
States, the former may plight its most solemn
faith thai it shall be theirs forever, and this guaran
tee is therefore given.
The second provision referred to is that OF ef
iectng their removal by portions less than whole
tribes. when the latter is impracticable. Some oil
The tribes in whose immediate removal we are par
ticuarly interested, have expressed a liked deter
minston against exchange Of their lands. This
difficulty is said to arise from the Influence OF their
chiefs who have appropriated the most fertile lands
to themselves, and have become wealthy. Their
onstnt to remove cannot be obtained; but the ma
lofity, or large portions OF the tribe, who have no
such induce remain, it is asserted by those
who know, or pretend to know their wishes may be
persuaded TO emigrate. BY the proposed plan,
the TACT be ascertained and whatever portion
may be willing 10 go, will under this provision, be
removed
The third object Of this bill is, the establishment
Of Territorial Government by the United States
Tor their protection and their civilization. The bill
proposes Governor, three Judges, and Secretary,
10 be appointed by the President, with the advice
and consent Of The Senate, and such notifications
10 detail the President shall odan, subject to the
appreciation OF Congress.
| have already intimated in former part OF this
report, the consequences OF sending the Indians to
the country destined for their final abode, without
some controlling authority. Without this, they
will be expos. to endless mschiefs 1t is not ne
.essary to prescribe particularly in the bill their
government Its organization may safely be de
posted in the hands Of the President, subject to the
control oil Congress. will, nevertheless suggest
that, as soon the civilization of the Indians would
admil OF it, would give them legislative body
composed of Indians to be selected, in the ea,ly
stages BY the Presld nj, and eventually to be elect
ed by themselves, as we'll for the purpose of enact
ing such laws as would be agreeable TO themselves,
as for the purpose OF exciting their ambition |
Distinction being the object OF universal pursuit |
with man. whether barbarous or civilized, it is pre- |
sened to the Indians ia this scheme. They will be |
taught that there another road to it than through
blood and slaughter. The objection on the part of
the most intelligent, 10 amalgamation with the
whites, Isl that they can never rise to offices Of
trust and profit. Here this difficulty will he remov
ed. In time let US indulge the hope, that they will
be competent to self government, when they may
De left entirely to themselves, and when, in conse-
quence, their ambition will find its proper theatre,
and be grafed; then none will have any adequate
motive to remain among the whites.
fourth object Of the bill is the division of their
lands in such manner, and at such limes as the
President may think proper. The object of this
provision is to give the power to the President,
when, in his Judgment circumstances will Justify it,
to distribute The land among the individuals by me,es
and bounds, in contradlsnciion to its being held n
common by tribe. Nothing, it is believed, has
had more injurious influence on our efforts to i'm
prove the condition Of the Indians, than holding their
land in common. Whether such system may sue.
cet.d nn VEL .t.lc han, han