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


restrained from selling their lands to our
own citizens. And besides regulating
their trade, Congress went so far as 20
punish, by the decisions of our own
courts, FOR offences committed within or
without their own territories. In for
bearing to go further, it is left to conIec-
ture, whether ii arose from want OF au-
,hority, or the expediency of exercising
it. To avoid, therefore, any difficulty
which different opinions might produce
on this point, their consent has been
made necessary by the bill, as requisite
TO its operation.
The first provision looks TO the pro-
curement of "A country for future resi-
dence beyond the settlements OF the
whites. Fortunately, that object Can be
easily effected. In adopting the limits
prescribed in the bill, have pursued the
Ian heretofore proposed. In including
be lands as part lying between Lakes
Michigan and Huron, and the River
Mississippi, have been governed as
well by The above consideration, as the
fact that il is now in the occupancy Of the
Indians, and, from its natural features, is
no, desirable at present for the habita,ion
Of oor citizens.
The principal recommendation of this
plan, next to the advantages to be gained
by ourselves, is, that the future residence
OF these people will be forever undis-
turbed--,hat there, at least, lhey viii
End home and resting place. And
being exclusively under the control oil
the United States, and, consequently,
free from the rival claims OF any o! the
states, the formcr may pish, It's most So
Tenn faith tha, it shall be theirs forever,
and this guaranty is therefore given.
The second provision referred to is
that OF eilec,ing their removal by portions
less than whole tribes, when the latter is
;mpracticabic. Some of the tribes, in
whose immediate removal VIC are par
ticu!arly interested, have expressed a
| fixed determination against an exchange
of their lands. This difficulty is said TO
arise from the influence oil their chiefs,
who have appropriated the mos, fertile
lands to themselves, and have become
wealthy. Their consent to remove can
not be obtained; but the ma ority, or
large portions Of The tribe v no have no
such Involvement TO remain, il is assert
ed by those who know, or pretend TO
know their wishes, may be persuaded to
emigrate. By the proposed plan the
fact can be ascerlalned, and whatever
portion may be willing to go, will, under
iris provision, DC removed.
The third object Of the bill is, the es-
.sbllshment Of territorial government
by the United States for their protection
aud their civilization. The bill propo-
ses a Governor, three Judges, and a Sc
crelary, to be appointed by the President,
with the advice and consent of the Sen
ate, and such modiicaiions in detail a.
The President shall oldan, subject TO the
appreciation OF Congress.
Rave already intimaled in forner
par Of this report the consequences oil
sending the Indians to the country des
tined for their final abode, without sonst
controling authority. Without this they
will be exposed to endless mlschiels.
It is not necessary to prescribe par,icu-
arly in the b.l their government. Is
organization may safely be deposited j,
the hands of the President, subject to The
control of Congress. will, neverlhe.
less, suggest, THAT, as soon as he civiilza-
ton Of the Indians would admit of II,
would give them a legislative body,
composed of Indians to be selected IL
The early stages by the President, and
eventually to be elected BY themselves,
as we'll for the purpose oil enacling such
laws as would be agreeable to then, selves,
as Tor the purpose Of exciting thcir sn
bition. Distinction being The object oi
universal pursu, win man, whether bar
barons or civilized, it is presented to tho
Indians in this scheme. They will be
taught, that there is another road to il
than through blood and slaughter. The
objection on TIL part OF the most ih'elli
gent, 10 an amalganalion with The whites,
is, that they can never rise 10 Offices OF
rust and profit. Here this difficulty
will be removed. 10 time, lei US N.
dulge the hope, that they will be com.
potent to government, when they
may be left entirely TO themselves, and
when, in consequence, their ambition
will find its proper theatre, and be graft
fed; then none will have any adequate
motive to remain among the whites.
A fourth object OF the bill is, the diyi-
sion of their lands in such manner, and
at such times, as the President mey /
think proper. The object Of ibis Prov. .
sion is, to give the power to the presi. /
dent, when, in his judgment, circumstan.