Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-12-24

selves with strange improvidcnce the of ardent spi
rits From my observation of the Indian character
consider the indulgence of this habit the great barrier
against any Improvement of that portion of this race
which from their position enabled ut pleasure to gra-
tify this ropcnsitv The difficulty of putting stop
this traffic. while the Indians inernngled with our
citizens, is sufficiently obvious And If they TO be
rescued om It's effects they must be removed beyond
the sphere OF the traffic This certainly of the
IN st prominent for the faithful prosecution OF
the system; and Congress apparently impressed with
ITS force has provided by law that all ardent spirits
found in the Indian country may be destroyed
The agents ofthe Government will now be compell-
ed us former to resort to legal for the nierdc-
ton of this traffic. at the hazard Of the trouble expense
and uncertainty attending such prosecution upon re-
mote frontier.
consider the experiments which have recently been
made TO provide for the maintenance of the Indians by
reservations for their use and with the power of alieno-
oa, however guarded, to have wholly failed. These
tracts are too often sold for very inadequate consdera
ton, and the amount received is dsspated in expendi
lures either positively injurious altogether useless.
AS the remaining tribes shall have been csto-
bished in the West, we may lookstorward to happier
destiny for the Indians And this expectation be dsap-
pointed the failure must be attributed the nveterae
habits OF this people, and the policy the Govern
ment The arrangements for the comfortable establish
ment OF the Indians have been projected upon scale suit
ed 10 their wants and condition. and 10 the duties the u
states With view 10 appreciate the advantages which
have been secured 10 them, deem it proper briefly
rccaptuate the provisions have been made These
not applicable, in all their details to each tribe
some receive more and some less in amount while
tain articles given and to others But the
tensve country has been reserved the has
divided into districts for the several tribes To this they
are removed at the expense of tine u. States.
They provided with the necessary subsistence 70
one year afer they reach their residence
Annuit'es IN specie, to greater or less amount,
payable TO each tribe.
Agricultural instruments, domestic animals seed corn
salt LOOMS cards. spinning wheels, iron, steel, cloths
blankets rifles ammunition, and other articles dis
tribued among them.
Mills erected and kept in operation Council
houses churches and dwelling houses for chiefs are built
m sun scl ols nrae
tablished and maintaned and the missionary institutions
among them aided from the Treasury of the United
States.
These the principal arrangements made for the
benefit of this unfortunate people, who will
been removed at great expense when this system
will be in full operation and where their peculiar
tutons be preserved with such notifications as
progressive state OF Improvement may require They
will be separated too, from the settled portions of the
country by fixed boundary beyond which our popula
ton cannot pass.
The operations of the Department of Indian affair.
are shown in detail by the report of the Commissioner
and by that of the Commissary General of Subsistence
1t anticipated that considerable body of Creeks OF
Alabama would, this, have been their way the
West. But recent information induces the belief that
their journey had been postponed but under crcumsan
ces which will probably insure their carly removal 10
the spring. The treaty with the Seminoes of Florida
for their removal in the process of execution
engagements were first proposed to be made for the
removal, and when by the treaty they might have
been required to depart. AT their earnest solicita
TONS the measure was postponed until the coming
winter, and assurances given by them that they
would then be prepared To remove. majority avow
their readiness TO comply with their engagements, and
will no doubt quietly go the arrangements fol
their departure shall have been completed But some OF
them exhibit refractory spirit and evidence DISPOSE
ton to remain. AS they hold no land in Florida
and would become awless banditt if suffered to re-
main, their pretensions cannot be submitted They
will, probably, when the time for operations arrive qu
city follow their countrymen Should they not measures
will be adopted 10 insure this course equally dictated by
just regard to their welfare, we'll that o.
our citizens in the vicinity of their residence.
Governor Stokes, General Arbuckle and Major Arm
strong were appointed Commissioners make treat
with the rowing tribes of Indians who inhabit grea
Western prairie, with the view of establishing nerma
nent pacic relations between those predatory tribes
the United States, and also between the tribes anc
the other Indians of that region The lamened death
of Major Armstrong deprived the Government of the
services Of that valuable officer; but the other Commits
sioners succeeded in efectng pacification which
hope will lead to friendly intercourse among all tho
tribes in that quarter
Under the authority of of the last session o
Congress, arrangement has been made by Colone
Brookes with the Caddo Indians, for the cesson of thei
claims TO land in the State of Louisiana, Terrtor,
of Arkansas This will be submitted to you at the pro
per time, for the consideration of the Senate.
have the honor to be, with great respect your ODE
dent servant, LEW. CASS.