Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-10-25
From ne Baltimore .american.

From me Bau,more .American.
CHOCrAWS-The treaty recently concluded
with this tribe ut Indians by the secretary oil War
and Gen Coffee, has afforded the administration
prints mater of cxultat,on, some of which affirm
that w'li cfectuslly silence tie opposition rea
ton To what Is termed the Indian question" We
sincerely hope that the treaty Is such will not only
receive the sanction of the Senate, but the approba
ton of the American peopic--but the wbloc terms
ot'he treaty are yet unknown to the public the re
Joicng OF the Jackson editors appears to us to be
Premature. So far the CONDITIONS have been made
known, they appear to be
lst That such portion of rhe Choctaw nation ms a
gree 10 remove. shall have the quantity of land
assigned them west of the Mississippi they re-
lnquish.-thosc refusing to remove, to become Ice
eimpe owners of their present lands.
ID That the expenses OF removing the einigrants
to he paid by the United States, and tina, they
are to be suppor,cd~6r twelve months in their
habltation.
Sd. That they are 20 receive annually for twenty
years, the SUN of 100000 masking the gross four
hundred thousand dollars, as a gtatuity.
Although nothing is said about paying them for
Their present improvements, ye, we presume tins con
. Choctaws is ga I'd to be about IL 600.
Many powerful objections were urged against the
passage Of the Indian bl-among them ITS injustice,
and the great expense which would be incurred by
the u States. The expense, as estimated by Mr..
Everett exceeded twenty -four millions OF dollars
THIS estimate rdicucd by the adm stratlon cd
Iors, aud the Impression endeavoured be pro-
duceJ, that the sum OF five hundred thousand dollars
appropriated To his pup pose by the bill passed the
last session, would be nearly sufficient TO accomplish
the object and VIC remember to have seen a calcu-
lation, based on what were termed official documents.
by winch the whole expenditure set down at a
little than two millions. Oar readers will re-
member that the Whole number OF Indians contempla-
ted to be removed by the bill IT last session. was
bout IS 900. Now, taking the terms gr ,nted to the
Choctaws (which said 10 be advantageous to Tie,
let what will be the result, If the residue Of
the indlan tribes should be removed the same
conditions
To $4,000 Choc,aws give four hundred thou
sand dof'ar', t. induce them 10 remove. The Choc
Jaws comprise, say one sixth of the whole OF the In
dams to be removed. The whole SUN then TO be
paid, IN the way of donation Will be t,1o millions
four hundred thousand dollars! Tnis is exclusive
of The expenses enumerated by Mr. Everett. Bu
it is not. probable that The Cherokces will renuuish
on such easy terms, they civilized and
have lands which abound III gold ore. We thus see
that the grdtuittes alone will amount To about five
times the appropriated last session. and that the
estimate made by Mr. Everett likely TO fail short
of the actual result.
But, according to the stipuatioos with the Choc-
taws, Qf they be correctly reported) portion only
of that nation may remove and become entitled to
the annuity, whilst the residue may remain on their
lands and enjoy them in fee simple right. This To-
peas To us curious provision, and suspect the
terms Of the treaty must have been misrepor cd 9th
crwise the very object for which the bill of last
session was passed would be defeated.
We are told IN some Of the administration prints
that the sale OF the lands 10 be obtained under this
treaty Will more than cover all expenses, and that
the government will Thus be o gamer BY the transac-
ton. II may be so--but shall presently see n
claim to these lands set up by the states in which
they lie, and congress will be mporuned to re,noulsb
them. and thus they VIII form subject of contenop
Ia removing he Indians with their assent 1t is the
TO provide for them comfortably; and did a necessi
ty for their removal exist should not deuur IN
the amount which it might the nation But as
we believe that the urgency for their removal springs
from motives Of cupidiiy, Sic the JUS. ice
of heavily taxing the whole country Tor the immediate
advantage of small portion; and that too at time
when the President has refused aid 10 works of ma
tional Importance on the ground that money could
not he spared from The treasury The expulsion of
the Indians from Georgia would be profitable bust
to Tint state, the lands would become the pron
crty of the state; are, therefore, not aurnrised
that such great solictude on the subject should he
manifested by her citIZens-but il is a question r., u
ring the deliberate examination of other sections of
the Union, whether Georgia should be gratifed a,
the present time and at the proposed cost even If #
could be done without doing violence 10 the right
OF the Indians.
We have 10 doubt the indian question will forno
prominent subject OF discussion at the ensuing ses
OF Congress. The Indian bill was passed m tho
last session by small majority, although the whole ex
ecutve influence is SAID to have been exerted in ito
favour and system Of bargain or compromise resort
ed to, not very credtable to The representatives of
free and intelligent people We are induced to be-
iIare that the spirit OF party will not far predom
nate at the approaching session, 10 blind the iudr
ments OF members, or induce them to renousb tbeii,
CONSCIENTIOUS convictions 10 subserve the views NJ
the President.