Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-12-18

20 m'.S .;,ber, Is d position ia respect OF
,pp'hS's has long since ceased 70 be room for
ben holg r. ooiniou, Reason and Is pensnce
oSS.",onstraIed its impTacticabily, The
10 !. r. sverv attempt, heretofore % over
aa y. barrier inleTPOsed by natqses have only
~ ,..,1,c,iOn both physical and moral, % the
10 aoS" .u..ro,,s conflicts Of authority between
uiiasi III and State Government; and detFi-
Fs1Inai Individual prosperity Of the citizen, as
90 ~ the general Improvement Ofthe cOun.
d ..,o,daI policy, the principles of which
JOE NJ" MA more than thirty years ago, under the
srs sS '"',on Of Mr.. Jefferson consists in the
nlnlsu"c ,r fair consideration, Of the title to
gnncuU% sill occupied by the Indians within
llo 'a1 oDd Territories Of the United States );
Sa'e' s al 70 A country west Of the Mississippi,
'I 'S oors extensive and better adapted 70 their
dc r. Io' ,baO that on which they then resided
0ndgluy Me- 10 them BY tho United States, Of
Sua .I'.;ve possessions Of the country forever,
h'R sA' som M incursions by white men, with
'IsllP' av;sons for their security against exter-
nPS and internal dissenlOns, and the extern
aVO'' ~, Of suitable facilities Tor advancement
CIVIL ~, NOT been the policy Of particular ad-
LUIS lann. only, but of each ia succession since
e., attempt to carry II out under the admins
pc u,s, r. Mr. Monroe. All have iabOred for its
i'aO" 'aG.bmeni, only with different degrees Of
lccOnP The manner Of its execution, has, il is
success, lime 10 time, given rise to conflicts Of
nue. Wv. I'D minis, imputatons but in respect to
oP'Cuy and necessity Of the policy ITSELF there
nc " ~, from the beginning, existed doubt in
a' | wv &C any calm, iudlclous, disinletested
20 M ~ Ird;on race, accustomed to reflection
"a .Dluh,ened by experience
rs.;Sa the double character Of contractor on
O.1o .oc6nnt and guardian for the parties con-
.. s.I With 4 vas hardly to be expected that the
..l;0os ofihe federal government with the Indian
~. vo,d escape misrepresentation. That
y. occurred in the early settlement Of this COun-
- in ali others where the civilized race has
'',osded TO the possessions Of the savage in
.or.s or oppression and fraud on the part Of the
.n., there is too much reason to believe. No
n alliances can, however, be justly charged up
b;s Government, since it become free 10 pur-
|, 4, own course. Its dealings with the Indian
NJ, have been just and friendly throughout; its
nofa
: the best feelings of humanity; its watch(ulness
O,oIecing them from individual frauds unremit-
ing. is Corbearance under the keenest PrOvoca-
mn, the deepest injuries, and the most fragrant
Dolraues, may challenge at leas. comparison with
nv nation ancient or modern, in similar circum-
rances; and lf in future tipes powerful, civil
.J, and happy nation of Indians shall be found
exist within the limits Of this northern continent
will 10 owing to the cOnsnmmatiOn Of that poll
which has been so uniustly assailed. Only Z
,y brief reference 10 facts in confirmation O
is assertion can in this form be given, and yOl
r,, therefore, necessarily referred TO the repOr
ihs Secretary at War for further details. I,
sCherokees, whose case has perhaps created
greatest share Of attention aud sympathy, tn
yasd States have granted in fee with perpeiuy
warranty Of exclusive and peaceabIe possession
2554l35 acres of land, on the west side Of tn
lls,lsslODi, elgbly situated, IN healthy climate
nd al respects better suited 10 their condition
han me country they have left, in exchange 70
nly 94O2l 6O acres on the east side Of the sam
liver. The United States have in addition slipu
aIed 10 pay them FIVE million six hundred thousan'
Dollars for THAR interest in, and Improvements on
he lands thus rellnquished, and one million on
hundred and sixty thousand dollars tor subsistence
md other beneficial purposes thereby putting
their power to becOme one Of the most weaI
BY and independent separate communities, OF tn
ame extent, in the world.
By the treaties made and ratified with the Mia
Iles, the Chippewas, the Sioux, the Sacs and Fox
s. and the Winnebagoes during the last year, III
milan title to eighteen million four hundred and I'll
eight thousand acres has been eXtingusheC
These purchases have been much more Cxtenslv
ban bpc Of any previous year, and have, with OIL
Indian expenses, borne very heavily upon III
Treasury. They leave, however, but small quar-
by Of unbOught Indian lands, within the States an
Territories and the Legislature aud Execuhv
we're equally sensible Of the propTiety OF hnal an
nle speedy extinction Of Indian titles within tho'
mS. The treaties which were, with single e.
option, made in pursuance Of previous approprls
oB for delrayng the expenses, have subsequent
been ratified by the Senate, and received the san
nOI Congress by the appropriation necessary
carry them into effect
OF The terms upon which these important uegOt
alons were concluded, ! can speak from dTe
knowledge and feel no difficulty IN Affirming til
thenterest of the Indians in the extensive terrltO
embraced by them is iO be paid for at its fair valu
lnd that no more favorable terms have been gran
% 10 the United States than would have been re
Onaby expected in a negotiation with clVlllz'
men, fully capable Of approaching land PrOtecllI
helr own rights For the Indian title To- ll6,S4g
~ acres acquired since the 4th Of March, 1872
ne United States have paid $72 ,56O,O56, in pc
lament annu'ties lands, reservations, for Indian
expenses ol removal aud subsistence, merchandise
nechancal and agricultural Establishments, aud ia
dement's. When the heavy expenses incurred
ne United States, and the circumstance that
'tge portion Of the entire territory will be fore
unsuitable, are considered, and this price is cor
JARED with that for which the United sell their Ov
luus' none can doubt that Justice has been done
te 'nGlans IN these purchases also Certain il
:,t ue transactions Of the Federal GOvernme
'u' lne Indians have been uniformly claracteriz
sincere and paramount desire to promote thC
na.e and It must be a source OF the highe
'IunCalion TO every friend TO Justice aud humani
oa'n hat, Notwithstanding The distractions iru
N.Y. Tune thrown in its way, and the difficult
"Cu nave arisen from the peculiar and impFacIo
A'uTe OF the Indian character, the wise,
I: and unaeviating policy of the Guvernnle
Jn'' ne most difficult Of all our relations, iOrei
tsOlneSllc' has at length been justified TO the VOL
' y, nea' approach to happy and certain consul
inc condition Of the tribes which occupy |