Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-10


been led to look upon unjust and indifferent to
their fate. Thus, though lavish in its expenditures
upon the subject, Government has constantly defeat
ed its own policy; and the Indansin general receding
further and further into the W. have retained their
savage habits. portion however, of the Southern
tribes, having mingled much with the whites, and
made progress in the arts of civilized life, have
lately attempted 10 erect Independent government
within the limits OF Georgia and Alabama These
States, claiming to be the only Sovereigns within
their territories. extended their laws the Indians
Which Induced the latter call upon the U. States
for protection.
Under these circumstances The question presented
wus, whether the General Government had rin hit
10 sustain those people in their preicnsions. The
Constitution declares that '.no new State shall be
formed erected within the jurisdiction of any her
State, without the consent of It's Legislature. If
the General Government is not permitted to tolerate
the erection of confederate State within the terri
tory OF one OF the members of this Union against her
consent. much less could il allow foreign and indie
pendant government to blis itself there. Gcor-
| gia became member of the Coufederacy which G.
Ventilated i'll federal union I'd a SOVEREIGN State
always asserting her claim to ccriui, limits; which
having been originally defined IN her colonial char
ter, ana subsequently recognized in the treaty of
peace, she has since contnHed TO enjoy, except
as they have been circumscib"d by her volunta-
~ transfer of portion of her territory the United
States, III the articles of ccssion of 1902. Alabama
was admitted into the Union on the same fo,Iru with
the original States, with boundaries which were pres
cribed by Congress. There is 10 constitutional con-
'eniohai. or iegal proVsion Which allows them less
power over the Indians within their borders than is
possessed by Maine New York Would the peo.
pie of Name permit the Pcnobscot tribe to erect an
independent Government within their State? and
unless they did, would not be the duty Of the Gen
cral government to support them resisinp such
MEASURE: Would the people of New York permit
each remnant of the six Nations within her borders
ID aecae ltsei an independent people, under the pro-
lection OF the United States Could the Indians es-
taoiish separate republic each of their reserva
tons In Ohio? And if they were SO disposed, would
II be the duly OF this Government to protect then, in
the attempt? 1.-THE principle involved in the obvious
answer TO these questions be abandoned it will fol
low that Tue objects or this Government arc rcverset;
ana that 1t has become part of its duty to aid in de-
stroyln the States which it established to pro-
tect.
Actuatcd bv this view tho subject informed
the indians inhabing parts of Georgia and Alabama
that their attempt TO establish an independent row
crnncn Wonid not be countenanced by the Executive
OF me United States and advised them to euliprate
beyond the MISSISSIPPI, submit to the laws offhose
States. - '''0''
Our conduct towards these people is deeply inter
csng to our national character Their present
conoition. contrasted with what they once were
makes most powerful appeal to our svnpathies-
Our ancestors found them the uncontrolled posses
serS OF these vast regions. By persuasion and force
they have been made to retire from river to river
ara from mountain to mountain, until some of the
trioes nave become extinct, and othets have left
but remnants to preserve, for a while their once
terrible names. Surrounded by the whites with
their arts OF civilization, which by destroying the re-
sources or Inc SavdgC doom him wicked,ea, md
decay, the fate of the Mohenan the Narraosnsa,,
and the Delaware, is fast overtakinn the Cboctaw
the Cherokee, and the Creek. Plat this fate sure
y awaits them, II they remain within the limits of
the States, does not admit of doubt Hnmanitv
and national honor demand that every effort should
be made to avert SO great a calamity 1t is too late
to inquire whether 1t lust in the United States
ciuue mem ana their territory wit hin the bounds
OF the new States whose limits they could control.
! ihat step cannot be retraced. State cannot bo
uiSihemocrea by Congress, restricted in the ex-
erclse OF her constitutional power. But the people
lngs OF justice and regard for our national bonor
submit TO you the interesting question: whether some
tning cannot be done, consistently with the rights
OF the states, to preserve this much injured race,
AS means of efecting this end 7 sugo,ost f
your consideration the proprety of setting anart
an ample district West of the Mssissipp and I'll
out the limits OF any State Territory, now form
cd to be guaranteed to the Indian tribes. az Iona a.
they snail occupy 1T: each tribe havinp distinct
control over the portion designated for its nse -
Ihere they may DC secured in the endowment IF or
ernmentS OF their own choice, subject to no ofber
control from the United States, than such as nav be
necessary 10 preserve peace the frontier and he
tween the several tribes There tho bona'1,
may endeavour TO teach them the arts of cviiiyat;
and by promoting union and harmony arnonn tho, -,
raise up an interesting commonwealth, destined to
justice of this Government. aiu
lhis emigration should be voluntary for If ,yo,ld
be as cruel unjust to compel the aborgines to a.
oandon the graves Of their fathers, and seek home
ID distant land. But they should be dist,nctlv in
formed that, II they remain within the limits Of the
states they must be bject to their laws. In re-
turn ioT Their obedience, as individuals they viii
tha uouot De protected in the enjoyment of
!h9se possessions which they have improved by their
industry, But it seems to me visionary to sIpnose
hat IN tins state ofthings caius can be allowed ON
tracts OF country on which they have neither dweIt
oo 9s improvements merely because they have
the chace. Submitting to tho laws of the S;n,es |
ana receiving like other Citizens protection in their
persons aud property, they will, ere long, become
merged in the mass of our population. O.
The accompanying report oftbe Sec.o,o.a &c a..
Navy VIII make you acquainted with the condition
ana uSeioi employment of that branch of our SCR
vice. during the present year. CONSTITUTING. "a il |
're opst standing security of this country a.
9aIDst IOregn aggression, it caima Tic esnnrnf ,t