Southern marksman. [volume] (Clinton, Miss.) 1838-1839, 1838-12-25


the conduct of their own chiefs, and they
have cmigrated without any apparent re
luctance.
The successful accomplishment of this
important object; the removal also, OF the
entire Greek nation. with the exception
Of a small number of fugitives amongst
the Seminoles in Florida, the progress al, T
ready made towards. a speedy completion
| of the removal of the Chickasaws, the
| Choctaws. the Potawat amies. the Ottowas
and the Chibpewas, with the extensive I
purchases of Indian lands during the pre-. !
sent wear, have rendered the speedy and
| successful result of the long established I
policy of the Government upon the subject
of Indian affairs entirely certain. The |
occasion is, therefore deemed proper one
TO place this policy in such point of view
as will exonerate the Government of the
| United States from the undeserved re-
proach which has been cast upon ii through
several successive administrations. That
a mixed occupancy of the same territory
! hY the white and red man is incompatible
with the safety aid happiness of either, is
position in regard 10 winch there has
long since ceased to be room for differ
ence of opinion Reason and experience
have alike demonstrated its impractical
bilitv The bitter fruits of every attempt
heretofore to overcome the barriers inter-
posed bvpature, have onlv been destruc-
ton, both physical and moral, to the In
dian; dangerous conflicts of authority he
tween the Federal and State Governments,
and detriment TO the individual prosperity
Of citizens as we'll as to the general im~
provement of'the country The remideal
policy, the principles of which were set
tied more than thirty years ago, under the
administration Of Mr.. jefferson, consists
in an extinction. for n fair consideration.
of the title to all the lands still occuDied
bv the Indians within the States and Ter
ritor,ee Of the United States; their reno
val 10 n country west of the Mississippi,
!. much more extensive and better adopted
! to their condition than that on which thew
. then resided: the guarantee 10 them, bv
the United States, of the exclusive posi-
session of that country forever cxempt
: from all inirnsions from white men, with
annie provisions for their security against
i external violence and internal dissentions,
land the exteaeion IN them of suitable IA
!, cilifies for their advancement in civiliza.
ton This has not heen the nolicv of par
q ticu'ar administrations only. hut Of each
= in succession. since the first attempt to
e carry it ont. under that Of Mr.. Monroe.
All have lahored for lis accomplishment,
only with different degrees of success
;, The manner Gifts execution has. If is true,
;. from time to time. given rise to conflicts
of opinion and unjust imputations; but in
> resnect to the wisdom and necessitv of the
= policy itself, there has not, from the be-
! ginning. existed doubt in the mind oi
- any calm. iudcious. disinterested FRIEND
:, of the Indian race, accustomed TO refec
: tion and enlightened bv experience.
,e Occupving the character of contractor
to on its own account, and guardian for the
n parties contracted with, it was hardly tc
n. be expected that the dealings Of the Fed
) eral Government with the Indian tribe:
\. would escape misrepresentation Tha
% there occurred, in the early settlement o
r thu country, as in all others where tht
e civilized race has succeeded to the pos
3. session ofthe savage. instances ofoppres
ar sion and fraud GU the part of the former
NJ there is too MANY reasons to believe. NJ
no such offence can. however, be iustly char
10 ged upon this Government since it becam,
n. free TO pursue its own course. Its deal
,o ngs with the Indian tribes have been jus
\, and friendly throughout; its efforts 70
~ their civilization constant, and directed b,
20 the best feelings of humanity; It's watch
fitness in protecting them from individual
of frauds unremtting; its forhearance unde
Of the keenest provoca,ions, the deepest in
i ljuries, and the most fragrant outrages, ma
nd challenge at least comparison with an
of nation, ancient or modern, IN similar Gil
of cumstances; and II, IN future times, pow
be eriui,'ciVl'zen ana haPpv marion OF ina
nj ans shall be found to exist within the linn
- its of this northern continent, it viii b
on owing to the consulnmat!on of that polio
Car which has been so unjustlv assailed. Onl
a very brief reference to facts In confirm
~, alton of this assertion can, in this form, +
"a given, and you are, therefore, necessaril
he referred to the report of the Secretary
- War for further details. To the Cher
80 KEGS, whose case has perhaps excited Il
n greatest share of attention and sympath,
- the United States have granted in fe
Cd with perpetual guaranty of exclnsi'
- and peaceable possession, 1851, i:
= acres of land on the west side of the Mi
- slssippi, eiigibly situated, in health
he climate; and in all respects better suite
!. 10 their condition than the country lhs
have left. in exchange for only 9,492 il
IL on The east side of the same river. III
$. Unied States have. in addition. stipulat
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