Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-12-16


and rnada some nrogress in the arts Of civilized
l;c bovo latelv ATTEMPTED to erect an independent
Government within the limits Of Georgia and Ala
hama These States. claiming to be the only Sow
ereions within their territories, extended their laws
over the Indians; which induced the latter TO call
upon the United States for protection
Under these circumstances, The question Presen-
ted was, whether the General government had
right to sustain those people In Their pretenslons!
The Constitution declares, that mo new State
shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction
of any other State" without the consent Of It's
Legislature. If the General Government Is not
permitted to tolerate the erection oil cO-lederate
State within the territory OF one OF the members
ofthis Union, against her consent, much less could
it allow foreign and Independent government to
establish itself there. Georgia became member
of the Coniederacy which eyentuated IN our ieder-
al union, as a sovereign State, always asserting
her claim to certain limits; which, having been OIL
ginally defined in her colonial charter and subse-
Guentiy recongnized in the treaty of peace, she
has ever since continued to ENJOY, except as they
have been circumscrbed by her own voluntary
transfer of portion of her territory to the United
States, in the articles of cession Of 1902. Aaba-
ma was admitted into the Union on the same foot
ing with the original States, with boundaries which
were prescribed by Congress There IS no
constitutional, conventional, or legal provision,
which allows them less power over the Indians
within their borders, THAI is possessed by Name
or New York Would the people of NJ aae per-
init the Penobscot tribe to erect an Independent
Government within their State! and unless they
did, would it be the duty of the General Govern
ment to support them in resisting such measure!
Would the people of New York permit each rem
nant of the Six Nations within her borders, to de-
clare itself an Independent people, under the pro-
lection of the United States! Could the Indians
establish separate republic on each OF their res
ervatons in Ohio2 And if they were so disposed,
would it be the duty of this Government TO project
them in the attempt? If the principle involved IN
the obvious answer to these questlorS De abandon
ed, it will follow that the objects OF this Govern
ment are reversed; and that 1t has become part
of its duty to aid in destroying the States which
it was established to protect
Actuaed by this view of the subject informed Inc
Indians inhabng parts of Georgia and Albania that Their
attempt to establish an Independent government would not
be by the Executive OF the Ued States and
advised them emgate beyond The Mississippi or sub
nit to the laws Of those States.
Our conduct towards these people Is deply interesting
to our national character Their present condition. con
trased with what they were, makes most powerful
appeal sympathies Our ancestors hund them the
uncontrolled posseSsOrs of these vast regions by PeSua-
sion aud force thew have been made to retire from river 10
river aud from mountain to mountain Uuil some OF the
tribes have become extinct and others have et but remn
to preserve for while Their once terrible names.
Surrounded by the whites with their arts OF clvhH ilIon
which, bv DESTROYING The resources Of the savage doom
him to week.-mrs. and decay, the fate Of the Mohegan the
Mar. nset and the Delaware, IS FAST 0YerIakinS me
Choctaw the Cherokee, and the Greek mat lhls iae
surely awaits o. H. # they remain wliHn the Ats OF me
States dues no. dmi Of doubt Humanity and national
honor demand that every effort should be made T. avert SO
grea caauty K TOO late 60 lGqei-e whether II was
the United states TO include them and thei territory
within the bounds OF new states w7ose huht5 me- colu
control That step cannot be retraved State cannot
be dsmenbered by Congress or restricted III Inc exercise
of her constitutional power But The people OF neie states
and Of every State actuated by feelings OF Jsce ana 4e'
gard for national honor submit To You he interesting
question, whether something cannot be done, cosse"
with the rights ofihe States to preserve hs nuch Jlisu
rJ5e2
As means of efectng this end suggest tor your con-
Slderaton, the propuety OF setting apart al ample district
West Oft Mississippi and without the lunis oil any o,e
Or Territory, formed to be guaranteed 10 the lnilan
tribes, long they shall occupy il: olch ,r'be h@A
distinct control over the portion designated Tor ls u
There they may be secured tae enjoyment OF govern
meus of their choice, subject other cOcl i'oA
the United States, than such may be necessary 10
serve peace the frontier, and between the several ns
There the benevolent may eudeavour to teach them he @
of civilizauon and by promoting UNION and harmony
among them, raise up interesting comlioa"aAi.'
destined 10 pepemate the race, and to attest ile humanity
aud Justice of this Government
This emigration should be voluntary: for 4 would D. as
cruel unjust to compel tile abongnes to abandon the
graves of their fathers and seek home IN distant land
But they should be distinctly informed that II they re-
main within the limits Of the states they must De SUBJECT
their laws. In return for their obedience as individuals
they WILL without doubt be protected IN the enjoyment OF
those possessions which they have improved by their INDUS
try. But itseems me visionary suppose that ID TINS
of things, claims be allowed tracts OF country
which they have neither dwetn nor made Improvements
merely because they have seen them from the mountain or
passed them IN the cace Submitting to the laws al me
States and receiving like other citizens protection IN their
persons and property, they will long become merged
M the mass of our population.
The accompanying report Of the Secretary Of the Navy
VIII make YOU acquainted with the condition and useful en-
poymen Of that branch Of our service, during the present
year. Constituting, does the best standing security OF
this country against foreign aggression, II claims tue
especial attention Of Government In this spt the mea-
sures which, the termination of the last war nave
been operation for its gradual enlargement were adopted
and shonld continue TO be cherished the offspring
national experience. Il will be seen, however iha;
Notwithstanding the great socude which has been mani
tested for the perfect organization Of this arm, and the