Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-14

consent. ,,a. been steadily kept III view. ine
objects and Necessity Of that policy are 80 clearly
stated in the message of the President o! tns
United States to Congress OF december 2. 1875
that liberty Of drawing your attention 10
those remarks: 80
"In tine practice Of, European States" says
President Adams. before. revolution, Wey
1.-THE Indiaus,) had been considered a. chilareh'
to be governed; as tenants al di,cre''"h' " oe
dsoo ssessed as occasion might require; as hun
tiers. to be indemni6e, BY triaing concesslon- tor
removal from the grounds. upon which their
game wa. exirpated. La changing the system,
il would seem as If a full contemplation OF the
consequences of the change rad not been taken
We have been far more successful in the acquis''
ton Of their lands. than in imparting to them
the principles, or inspiring them with the sp''',
Of civilization. But, in appropriating t" our
selves their hunting grounds, we have brought
upon ourselves the obligation OF providing them
with subsistence; and when we have had the rare
good fortune Of teaching them the arts OF civliza-
ton, and the doctrines Of christianity, we have
Unexpectedly found them forming, lr the midst OF
ourselves, communities claiming TO be indepen-
dent of ours and rivals Of sovereignty within the
territories Of the members OF the Union.
| "This state Of things requires that remedy
shonid be provided-a remedy which, while II
shall do Justice to these unfortunate children OF
nature, NAV secure to the members Of our cohfe.
deraton their rights of sovereignty and OF soil.
As the outline Of project to that effect, the
views presented in the report OF the Secretary OF
| War are recommended to the consideration of
Congress-"
| 6 While some ut our citizens says General
Porter, in the very able report here refereed 10.
IS who are the advocates Of primitive and impre.
scriptbe rights, in their broadcast extent con.
tend that these tribes arsipdependent Nations,
and have the sole and exc We right to the pro-
perry aud government Of the territories they &C.
cupy, others consider them as mere tenants at
will. like the buffalo Of the praries. to be hunted
from their country whenever it may suit our In
terest or convenience TO take possession OF it.
These views Of their rights and disabilities are
equally extravagant and unjust; but the misfor.
tune is, that the intermediate iue has never been
drawn by the Government. Nothing can be
more clear to one who has marked the progress
Of population aud improvement, and il CONVEX
SAINT with the principles Of HUMAN action, than that
these Indians will not be permitted to hold the
reservations on which they live, within the
States, BY their present tenure. for any consije-
rabla period. If, indeed, they were not disturb
ed IN their possessions by US, it would be impos.
sbe for them long 10 snbsist, as they have here.
tofnre done, BY the chase, as their game ID alrea
DIV so much diminished as to render it frequently
necessary to furnish them with provisions, in
der to save them from starvation. In their pre-.
sent destitute and deplorable c0Hdilion, and
which is constantly growing mure helpless. it
would seem to be not only the right, but the duty
of the Government. to take them under its pa err
nal care, and to exercise over their persons and
property the saIutary rights and duties Of guar.
dianship.
=. The most prominent feature in the present
policy of the Government, as connected with
these People. is to be found in the efforts that
are making to remove them beyond the limits Of
the States and organized Territories.
"A very extensive tract Of country, lying to
the west and north Of the Arkansas Territory,
has lately been set apart for the colonization OF
the Indions."
Let such of the emisratng Indians as choose
it, continue. As heretofore, to devote themselves
to the chase in country where their tolls will be
amply rewarded Let those who arc willing to
cultivate the arts of civilization, be formed into
colony. consisting OF distinct tribes or comnu
mites, but placed contiguous TO each other, and
connected by general laws, which shall reach the
whole. Let the lands be appprtpned among Ia
miles and individuals in severaty, to be neid by
, the same tenures bv which hold ours. with
perhaps some temporaryand wholesome restraints
on the power Of alienation. Assist them in form
Ing code Of laws adapted to a state Of ciyiza-
: tion.'
In regard to such Indians as shall still re-
main within the States aud Territories, and re-
fuse to emigrate, let an arrangement be made
with the proper authorities Of the States ~ which
they situated, for pariitionIns out to their in
seyeraIty, az much Of their respective reserva-
tons as shall be amply sufficient for agricultural
purposes. Set apart tract proportional in size
to the number OF Indians to remain, IN common
as refuge, and subject them to all the munich
pal laws Of the State in which they reside. Let
the remainder of the reservation be paid for by
those who hold the paramount right. at such pri.
crs as shall be deemed. in reference TO the uses
which Indians are accustomed to make of it, rea-
sonable, and the proceeds be applied for the be.
neflt ct those of the tribe who emisrate after
their establishment in the COLONY, or be divided
between th"'e who enigrate and those vino re.
main, as justice may require"
To the views herein presented OF the condi.