Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-10

which, Ia certain exigences OF the service, may be
deemed indispensable TO the discharge Of their duties
This circumstance has been the authority for extend
ing TO them various allowances, at dferen times, un-
der former ATOMS but uniform rule has been
observed on the subject-Similar inconv eniences
st in other in which the construction put upon
the laws by the public ntanis may operate uns
qualify produce confusion and expose officers to the obi
um oil claiming what is not their due.
recommend 10 your fostering care. one Of our
safest means Of nator defencr, the aIiii.ary Acsde
my. This institution has already exercised the hispi.
est influence upon the moral aud intellectual charac-
ter OF our army; and such Of the graduates az, from
various causes. may not the profession of arms
will be scarcely less useful as etizsns The knowi
edge Of the military art will be advaasgeously employ
ed In the militia service; and, in measure,
that class oil troops the advantages which, in thi, re-
spect, belong TO standing armies.
would also suggest a review Of the Pension law
Tor the purpose OF extending its benefits to every Re-
evolutionary soldier who aided in establishing iber-
ties, and who is unable maintain himself In comfort
These relics Of the War OF have strong
claims upon their countrys gratitude and bounty. The
law s defective, in not embracing within its DIVISIONS
all those who during the last war, disabled from
supporting themselves by manual lAboar. Such an a
mendment would add butte to the amount of pensions
and is called for by the yppathieso Of the people, well
as by considerations OF sound policy II will be perc9v
ed that large addition to the list of pensioners has
been occasioned by order Of the late
departing materially from tho rules which had previous
ly prevailed Considering IL act Of legislation,
suspended its operations as informed that
il had commenced.-Befor this period, however, ap-
plications under the regulations had been prefer
red To the number OF one hundred aud fifty four; of
which, the 9th Of March, the date of its revoca
ton, eighty seven were admitted. For the amount,
there neither estimate appropriations; and be-
sides this deficiency, the regular allowances according
to the rules which have heretofore governed the De
parment, exceed the estimate OF its late Secretary, by
about fifty thousand dollars for which an
Is a.ked
Your particular attention is requested that part Of
the report OF the Secretary OF War which relates the
money held in trust for the Seneca tribe OF lndans
II will be perceived that without legislative aid, the
Executive cannot obviate the embarrassnenis SION
ed by the dminu,ion Of the dividends that fund;
which originally amounted to one hundred thousand
dollars, and has recently been invested in United
States three per cent stock
The condition and Interior destiny Of the Indian
tribes within the limits II of States be-
come objects Of much interest and Importance. 1t has
lang been the policy Of Government to introduce a.
nong them the arts OF civilization, in the hope of graz
duaIy reclining them from wandering life. This
policy has, however, been coupled with another, Who'll
y Incompatible with its Profe ssing desire
to cvilize and settle them, have, at the same time,
lost no opportunity to purchase their lands and thrust
them further into the wilderness. BY this they
have not only been kept in wandering state but been
led to look upon unjust and inere their fate
thus, though lavish in its expenditures upon the sub
ject, Government has constantly defeated its own poll
ey; and the Indians in general, receding further
further TO the West have retained their savage habits
A portion, however, of the Southern tribes, having
mingled much with the whites, and made some pro.
gress in the arts Of civilized lite, have lately attempt
ed TO erect an independent within the limits
OF Georgia and Alabama These States, claiming to be
the only soveregns within their territories extend I'd
ueir laws over the Iniians which induced the
To calfupon the United States for protection,
Under these circumstances, the question pre- nted
was, whether the General Cove nment had right TO
sustain those people in their preensions! The Cons.
tuition declares that 'no State shall be formed or
erected within the Jurisdiction Of any other State
without the consent of its Legislature. If the Gene
raj Government Is not permitted 10 tolerate the cree
lion OF confederate State, within the terri oy of one
OF the members of this Union, against her consent
much less could Il allow foreign ard independent gov
| eminent to establish itself there. Georgia became a
member OF the confederacy which even,uated in our
federal union, sovereign State, ALWAYS asserting
her claim to certain limits; which, having been org
naily defined in her cooni charter and nty
recognised in the treaty Of peace, she has since
continued to enjoy except they have been circum
scrihed by her voluntary transfer Of portion of
her territory to the States in the articles OF cesson
oil 1902 Alabama was admitted into the Union on the
same footing with the original States, with boundaries
when were prescribed by Congress. There is con-
shtutiona conventional, legal provision, which al.
lows them less power the Indians within their
borders, than is possessed by Maine New York
would The people oil Maine permit the Penohscot ,ibe
toerect an Independent within their Sta,e
and unless they did, would it be the duty of the
measure! Would the people Of New York permit each
remnant OF the Six Nations within her borders TO de.
clare itself an independent people. under the proec
ton OF the United States? Could the Indian, establish
separate republic each of their reservation. in
Ohio! And il they were disposed, would il be the
duy oil this Government TO protect them in the aitemp
IL the principle involved in the obvious
questions be abandoned il will follow that The objects
Of this Government reversed and that has be.
come part o. Its duty TO aid in destroying the States
which II was established 10 protect.
Actuaed by this view OF the subject I informed the
Indians inhabiting parts OF Georgia and Alabama that
their attempt to establish independent government
would not be countenanced by the Executive OF the ".
ned States and advised them emig rate yond the
Mississippi, or submit to the laws of those States
Our conduct towards these people IL dee DIV interest
ing TO our national character Their present condi.
lion. conirasfed with what they once were makes
most powerful appeal 10 sympa,hes Our
found them the uncontrolled of these vast
hav heen MI.
to retire from river 10 river, and from mountain 10
mountain, until Of the tribes have become extinct
and others have left but remnants TO preserve for
whle Their once terrible Surrounded by the
whites, with their arts of civilization which by des
roying the resources ofhe savage doom him to weak.
ness and decay. the fate Of the Mohegan the Nara.
ganset, and the Delaware s fast oyeraking the Choc-
ly awaits them, IL they remain within the limits of the
States, does not admit Of doubt. Humanity and ma
tional honor demand that every effort should be made
TO avert 20 great calamity. IL il too late TO inquire
whether IL was Just In the United States to include
them and their territory within the bound. of new
States whose limits they could control. That step
cannot be reraced. State cannot be dismrmbered
by Congress, restricted in The exercise of her con-
situtona power But the people of those States and
oil every State aciusted by feelings Of justice and re
gard Tor national honor, submit IN You tn interest
ing question, whether something cannot be DONE con-
sisenly with the rights of the States so preserve this
much injured race?
As means Of effec,ing this end, suggest for yonr
confederation, the propriey of setting apart an annie
district West Of The Mississippi, and without the lin
its Of any State or Territory formed, be guaran
tied TO the Indian tribes, long they shall occupy
": each tribe having disiinct control over the p,ron
Ipeig oil r. lie Tt.~ra ll,.,,. \