Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-15

dreaus oil the Great Spirit he should depart
from the customs Of his fathers Devoted the Of
dent spirits he abandons himself its indulgence without
restraint War and hunting his only occupations.
He can endure, without complaining, the extremity of
human suleng and he the evils OF his
situation, he submits TO them without repning. He
butcs all the msorunes of his race 10 the white man. and
looks with suspicion the offers of assistance that
made TO him. These traits of character though uni
versa yet general; and the practical difficulty they
present. in changing the condition of such people, is 10
satisfy them OF our sincerity and the value of the
fer 10 hold to them motives for exertion; TO call into
action powerful feelings which shall countcract the
tendency OF previous impressions Is under such
cumsances and with these difficulties in view that the
Government has been called upon to determine what
engagements shall be made for the permanent establishment
oil the Indians. Shall they be advised to re-
mann III the former, their fate is written in the annals of
their race; II the latter, may yet hope them
novated in character and condition by our example and
instruction. and by their excrtions
But to accomplish this, they be first placed be-
yond the reach oil our settlements with such checks
their disposition TO hostilcs may be found
and with such aid moral intellectual and pecuniary as
reality of our friendship. With these salutary prccau
tons, much should then be left TO themselves to follow
such occupations in the forest the field they NAV
choose, without too much interference Time and pros
pen'y must be the great agents in their moderation. Nor
have we any reason TO doubt but that such a condition
would be attended with its full share of happiness nor
that their exerions would be stimulated the security of
their position, and by the prospects before
BY encouraging the severalty of soil sufficient tracts
might be assigned TO all disposed to cultivate them and
by timely assistance the younger class might be brought
to seek in their farms less prccaous subsistence than
|
incrcased and the desire of acquisition into action
moral stimulus would he felt by the youthful portion Of
the community. New wants would appear, and new
OF gratifying them; the great work of improve
ment would thus commence, and, commencing, would go
on.
TO its add the truths of religion together with know
ledge of the simpler mechanic and the rudiments of
science should then be brough but if dependence
be hrst placed upon these, fail all others have
Jailed, who have gone before this field of labor And
we have already fallen into this error of adapting our efforts
to state of society, which probably vet remote
sO of
from their friends, and educating them at our schools
they are there taught various branches of learning and
at some oil these institutions aparia knowledge the me-
chanc arts and of the principles agriculture But after
this course OF instruction is completed what are these
young men to do! Ii they among the whites they
ind themselves the members OF peculiar CASTE and look
round them in vain for employment and encouragem
II they return to their countrymen their requirements
useless these neither understood nor valued: and
with the exception OF few articles of ron which they pro-
cure from the traders the work of mechanics
is useless TO them. repeat, what is a Young man. who
has been thus educated, 10 do? He has no means osppo
no instruments of agriculture, domestic animals no i'm
proved farm Taken in early life from his people, he
no hunter; and that, under such circumstances he
should abandon himself TO life of inemperance can
scarcely excite surprise, however our regret
have been earnestly asked by these young men, how
they were to livc and have felt that satisfactory an
swer was beyond my reach TO the Government ONLY can
they look for relief and if this should be furnished though
IN moderate degree, they might still become useful and
respectable; their example would be encouraging In
Others and they would form the best instructors Tor their
| brethren.
The general details of plan for the permanent esta
bshment oil the Indians west of the Mississippi and for
their proper security would REQUIRE much dciberotion
but there are some fundamental principles obviously
ing out OF the nature of the subject which, when once
adopted would constitute the best foundation for our ex
ertions, and the hopes OF the Indians.
L. solemn declaration, similar that already inserted
in some OF the treaties that the country assigned TO the In
dams shall be theirs long they their descendants
may occupy it, and corresponding determination that our
settlements shall spread it every effort should
be used satisfy the Indians of sincerity their
security. Without this indispensable preliminary, and
without full confidence their part intentions and
In our abilities to give these effect their change of position
would bring no change OF circumstances
e determination TO exclude all ardent spirits from,
their new country. This will doubt difcult but
system of surveillance upon the borders and of proper no.
ce and penalties, will do much towards the determination
oil AN evil which, where it exists any considerable
tent is equally destructive of their present comfort and
their future happiness.
B. The employment of an adequate force in their imme
date vicinity, and fixed determination suppress at
all hazards the slightest attempt at hostcs among them
, selves ~
So long as passion for fosered and encouraged
aslt by their opinions and habits is allowed free scope
LOT WIN prove the master spirit controlling il
not absorbing all other considerations And IT, in checking
,s ey some examples should become necessary, they
"ouo DC sacrliices 10 humanity, and severity
a. encouragement to the scvcralty of property and
en provision Tor ITS security as their regulations
not afford, and as may be necessary its endowment
o. Assistance to all who may require il in the opening
oil arms and in procuring domestic animals and instru7
ments OF agriculture
6. Leaving them in the endowment of tber noc,,l;, :;
sutions as far may be compatible with their own
and ours and with the great objects their prosperity
and Improvement.
Z. The eventual employment of persons competent TO
uG 81; s lar ana as last as their progress may
q'e and In such manner may be useful to them
Arrangements have been made upon fair and eouitobe
terms with the Shawnees and Senecas of Lewisown with
he Shawnees of Wapaghkoneta and with the Oowas Of
Blanchards fork, and the Maumee all within the State NJ
Ohio for the ceson of their reservations in that and
for their migration TO the region assigned for the
heh residence oil the Indians similar arrangement was
made with the Senecas in the early part of the wear and
they are already upon their journey to their new cont
dePutaon from the Wyandos has gone to examine tho
district offered to them and the general outlines of an
rangement for cessOn have been agreed upon TO he for
may executed, il the report of the exploring party should
prove satisfactory.
1t has been suggested that considerable norton oe tho
Cherokees in Georgia DESTROYS of avaibp themselves
oil the provisions OF the treaty. May 9th 1928 for their re-
InoVai with view TO ascertain this fact and TO afford
them the aid offered by that treaty. if they are inclined 10
accept It, system OF operations has been adopted and Der
sons appointed to carry it into effect Sufficient time IN
form judgment OF the result of this measure has NOT vet
elapsed. ~ NV '''
But in all the efforts which may be made the sub;ect
WI" ne July and fairly explained TO the Indians and thew
WIZ be lett TO Judge for themselves The agents are ,ro
hpted from the exertion of any improper influence but
are directed TO communicate TO the Indians the views of
the PRESIDENT and his decided convictions and their peed
removal can only preserve them from the serious evils
which environ them 1t is TO be hoped that thew win ac
cept this saluaTy advice and proceed TO ioin their
trymen in the district appropriated for their permanent re-
sidence. F' ''-
III the seeds OF improvement are soyn among them ne
many good men assert and believe they will pen into an
i abundant harvcSf-proffablp In