Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-08-21
Ff'val 3iee .Jlatl0n1il In
From sSe .iatt0aGI iHtettIgencer.
TO ruE Ept roEs.
present CRISIS IN TIE CONDITION OF
TIE AMERICAN INDIANS-


GEnrLEME>: Every careful observer of public at
fans mast nave seen. that crisis has been rapidly
approaching Tor several years past in reference
ic cUn1Ion relations, and prospects, of the Indian
tribes, the Southwestern parts ofthe United States
'hc attention imuny OF our most intelligent citizens
has been fixed upon the subject with great interest
Many others beginning to lnquiRa2ar Several pub
lie documents, which have recently appeared in the
newspapers, t" awaA., curiosity a. to provoke
investigation,
Sill, however, the mass of the community pos
ses5 but very little information the subject; and
even among the best informed scarcely a man cun be-
found, who is thoroughly acquainted with the .ques
tons 1T ISSUE Vague and Inconsistent opinions ar,
abc0ad and however DESTROYS the people may be O
coming ut the truth, thu sources of knowledge are
not generally accessible. Some persons think tina
Tie Indians have perfect right to the lands which
they occupy, except far their original right ha
been modified by treaties fairly made, and fliy un-
dHrstu0l at the time of Srniur. But how far such i
!noI!iicason may have taken place. whether it ha
taken place al all, these persons admit themselves t,
b ignorant. Others pretend, that Indians have III
other right to their lands than that ofq tenant ut iG
that is the right OF renoiniug where they are Ill
the o'oaeFs Of the ioI shall require them to remove
1t Is needless 10 say, that Ill the estimation of sucl
persons, the owners OF the land the white NEIGH
boris OF the Indians. Some people are puzzled b,
what Is supposed TO be collision between the pow
crs OF the General Government dnd the claims o
particular States. Others do not see that there i
any kardshipl bringing the Indians under the law
OF the States IN the neighborhood of which they live
ar. Ia tho P,raS2 is, within Tie limits If tohich the,
ave Come consider it the greatest kindness that CAT
~ done TO the Indians to remove them, without
fii,.ir consent and against their will, To- countr,
where as Is supposed, they witt De in a condition
more favorable To their happiness Others think
tut ii they are compelled TO remove, their crcunI-
stances will b. III all respects than at presents
aud that, suffering andCr deep OF injury, anu
considering themselves crushed by the strong arm OF
physical fierce they will become utterly dsprited and
sink rapidly t. the lowest degradation and to fina
extinction. So great a diversity OF opinion is pr-
cipa!!y owing to want OF correct information. 1t is
any intention, MIessrs. Editors furnish in few
Numbers OF! moderate length such materials, as will
enable every dispassionate und DISTINGUISHED man to
d-ter!uinc where the right OF the case Isl
In the time, would observe, that the peo-
pie OF the United States it to themselves and to
mankind, To form correct Judgment in this matter.
The questions have forced themselves upon us as
nation:-'rhu is to become of tie Indians? Haze
they any rights? Ifthcy have, Wisai these rights
and ho,o are they to Ge scc'Ted3 These questions
Mlst receive practical answer; and that very soon
What Tie ansc. shall be, is subject of the deepest
concern TO the country.
The number Of individuals TO be affected by the
course now to be pursued, is very great. II is co
puted, that there within national limits more
more than 100000 lndians say 100000; and il
the southwestern States the tribes whose immediate
removal is i'll contemplation, have an aggregate nop
ulation Of more than 90 ,003. The interests of all
these people are implicated il any measure to be ia
ken respecting them.
The character Of our Government, and OF our
country, may be deeply involved. Most Certainly an
indelibe stigma will be fixed upon Us, if in the pen.
iiEde of power, and in tie pride OF our superior-
iy, shall be guilty of manifest Injustice to our
weak and deienceiess neighbors. There are persons
among us not ignorant, preudiced under the
basis OF private interest, who seriously appreheud
that there is danger of National character BEN
most unhappiy affected before the subject snail he
fairly rest II these individuals are miscd by un
erroneous view OF facts, by the adoption Of false
principles free discussion vii! relieve their minds.
IL sionid DC remembered, by rulers as well as
others thai Gis controversy, tior has assumed the
ID l1ftIut
understood by the whole civilized world. No subject
not even war nor slavery, nor the nature OF free
Institutions, viii be more thoroughly canvassed. The
voice of mankind Will be pronounced upon i,:--a
voice, which will not be drowned by the camor o.
ePhemera parties, nor silenccd by the paltry consd
csations of private interest. Such men as the Baron
Humboldt and the Due de Broge, on the continent Of
Europe, and host OF other Statesmen, and ora tors
and powerful writer's there and in Great Britain will
not be greatly influenced, i'll deciding grave question
OF public morality, by the cXctemens Of an election
Or the selfish views OF little portions OF the
American community. Any course of measures in
regard To the Indians which is cleurly fair and gen
@roUs, and benevolent, will command the warm and
decided appreciation OF Intelligent men, not only in
the present age, but IN AL succeeding times. And
18th equal confidence it may be said if, in the Ian
truage OF Mir. Jefferson, the People of the United
states should feel power, and forget right If they
-.oaid resemble powerful man, who. Astounding in
wealth OF every kind, and assuming the Office of law
EVER aud Judge, first declares himself to be the owner
If his poor neighbours little farm and then elects the
same neigAbor troublesome incumbrancc--if
with land enough, now in the undisputed possession
II the whites, to sustain ten times our present po2u
ption, we should compel the remnants of tribes to
1ea7c the places which, received by inheritance from
ieir fathers and never alienatcd they have long re-
gardId as their permanent homcs-if. when asked to
"&pialn the treaties, which we first proposed, then
gOiennly executed, and have many times ratified we
stammer, and prevarICatc, and finish by stutfyinp
merely ourselves but the ablest and wisest States
IHon, whom Our country has yet produced; and il,
~ pursuance u and selfish policy we should
at this day, i'll time of profound peace and great
National prosperity, amidst all professions of mag
7animty and violence aud IN the blazing light of
the nineteenth century, drive away these remnants of
tribes, i'll such manner, and under such auspices as
TO their desructon;f all this should hereaf
Ger appear to be fair statement Of the case-then
:he sentence OF an indignant world will be uttered in
tiL.irInrn Anl1nL1 ,,iM r1.M nr,l