Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-02-02
.dyr Clau,s Rsmarhs on Tie Iadian nuss1ioa.

MIR CtdY'S Remarks on The India,a Question.
IN MS recent address before the Colonization So
ciety of Kentucky, Mr. Clay gives he account con
tanned IN the subIolned extract, of the view ken o.
THIS SUBJECT at the treaty of Client. =
he United States stand charged with the fare
o these poor children OF the woods in the face OF
tneir common Maker, and IN presence of the world
and as certain the guard is answerable for the
education OF his infant ward, and the management
OF MS estate, Will they be responsible here and here
aeI' Tor Inc manner IN which they shal perform the
du'ls OF the high trust which is committed to their
hands by the force of circumstances. Hitherto.
since theD United States became an independent
power among the nations of the earth, they have
gehefahy treated the Indians with justice, and per-
formed towards them all the Offices of humanity
Their policy, IN this respect was yndicatcd dnr;nn
The negotiations at Client, and the principles which
Suided them IN their relations with the Indians were
then promulgated to all Christendom On that oc
Casion tnelr representatives. holding up their con-
duct 10 advantageous contrast with that of Great
britain, and the other powers of Europe said.
FROM the rigor of this system, however as practi
seq Dy Great Britain and all the European powers in
America, the humane and liberal policy of the Uni
ted States has voluntary relaxed 4 celehrahed
writer or the laws of nations, to whose authority
British Jnrists have taken particular satisfaction IN
appearing AFTER stating, IN tho most explicit manner
Lle legitimacy of colonial settlements i'm America
to the exclusion of all rights of uncyiIized indian
tribes, mas taken occasion to praise the first settlers
OF New England and the founder of Pennsylvania
IN having purchased of the Indians the lands, they
iN0Si W NuitaNdtS, MISUNDERSTANDING their belnU
provided with charter from their SOVEREIGN II IS
tins example which the United States, since thew be.
came by their independence, the sovereirns Of the
territory, have adopted and organized into loiticaI
system. Under that system, the Indians residpp
Wthln the United States FIR independent that
iey I'VE under their o5cn customs and not under Le
ta0$ The United STATES; that their rights upon the
lands where they uhabit or hunt are secured to them
oy boundaries defined in au,cabie treaties between
the United States and themselves; and that Whence
yer those boundaries varied is also by a,icable
ana voluntary treaties, by which they receive from
the United States ample compensation for every rht
they have to the land coded by them. They are so
ar dependent as not to have the right to dispose of
hcir lands to any private person, nor to any power
other than the u States, and TO be under their Dro
lection alone, and not under that of any 0ey power
Whether called subjects, or by whatever name de-
signatcd, such is the relation between them andtbe
United States. That relation is neither asserted
now tor the first time, nor did it originate With tbe'
treaty OF Greenvile. These principles have beco
UNIFORMITY recognised by The ndiaHs themselves not
only by that treaty, but IN all other prertous as oeH
rs subsequent treaties between them and the Tinted
States" Such was the solemn enumeration 10 tine
whoio world, of the principles and of the system
gualIng our relations with the Indians as admitted
by us and recognised by them. There can be no
VOCATION OF 9ithcr to the disadvantage of the weak
er party whIeh.w1 not subject us as a nation to
lhe list TcProaches Of all good men, and which NAV
hot brlng down Upon us the maledictous of moro
c%ehed ana powerful trilTnal.