Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-12-07

with The m by the Commanding General ~ that county,
who has perlured the duties assigned tm un the "e
casun with Communicable energy and humanity, iheir
removal has been principally under The c"nducto ' Their
chrls, aud lnry have enIgraed Without any aPpa'
rant reluctance.
The successful accomplishment OF this important OBJ
ject the removal also, OF tie entire Creek naioi WIN
the exception of small number of ugIlvrs amongst Tue
Seminnes in FIurda the progress already made towards
speedy completion OF the removal OF the Chickasa"s
ill.,. Chuctaws the Poawalamles, the Ottawas ana lhe
Chippewas with the extensive purchases oil Ihua Iahos
during the present year. have rendered The speedy ana
successful result Of The long established policy OF the
Government upon the subject of Indian affairs entirely
certain The occasion is therefore, deemed proper one
place this policy IN such point OF view US VIII exc.
The Government Of the T. from The undeserved
rrproach which has been cast upon through several sue
cessive AdmInIstrat That mixed occupancy OF te
sune territory by the white ard red man, is Incompatible
with the safety happiness Of either, is position IN re-
spec which there has long since ceased to De room Tor
difference OF opinion. Reason and experience have
alike demonstrated It's mp5acllcaby. The bitter ruis
Of every attempt heretofore to overcome the barriers IN
,rrpused hv nature have only been desructon both ply
sicai and moral the Indian; dangerous conflicts OF
authority between the Federal and State Governments;
and detriment to the individual prosperity OF The citizen,
rs well 10 the general Improvement OF The county
The remedial policy, the principles OF which were set.
lied than 50 years ago, under The administration OF
MIR Jefferson consists in an extinction tor lar cons''
deralnn, Of the title 20 all the lands still occupied BY Tie
States; their removal TO n country West OF the Mssls
sipp much extensive and better adapted 10 their
condition, than that on which they then resided; Inc
guarantee 10 them by the linked States OF their eI-
possession Of that country forever exempt from
all Inifus"ns by white men, with ample provisions
for their security against external violence and IN
tenal dssensions and the extension 10 them Of suitable
facilities for their advancement in clvzion THIS has
not been The policy of particular administrations only.
but of each succession since the first attempt TO carry
out under that OF Mr. Monroe. All have labOed for
its accomplishment only with different degrees OF sue
cess The of It's execution has, IS true from
time 10 time given rise to conflicts OF opinion and unjust
impulauns; but in respect TO the wisdom and necessity
Of the policy Itself there has not from the beginning
existed doubt in the mind of any calm, JudcIous dis
Interested friend of the Indian race accustomed to
fec ton and enlightened by experience.
Occupying the double character OF contractor on IFS
own account and guardian for the parties contracted
with il was hardly 10 be expected that the dealings OF
the Federal Government with the Indian tribes would
escape presentation That there occurred in the
early settlement Of this country, in all others where
the civilized race has succeeded the possessions OF the
savage instances of oppression and fraud on the part OF
the former, there is too much reason 10 believe. No
such offences can however be justly charged upon this
Government since it became free to pursue lis own
It's dealings with the Indian Tribes have been
Just and friendly throughout lis efforts for their civza
ION constant and directed by the best feelings OF huma
nlty lis watchiulness in protecting them from individual
frauds unrenltDg; lis orbearance unGer The keenesl
prOv0catlODS deepest lHosl
ouruges, may challenge at least Il comparison win
any nation, ancient modern, in similar circumstances;
and if in future times powerful civilized, and happy
nation of Indians shall be found TO exist within the H.
mits Of this Northern Continent II will be owing TO the
contamination of that policy which has been IN Justly
assaed Only very brief reference TO facts in ccniir.
nation Of this assertion can IN this form be gwen: and
YOU are therefore, necessarily referred 10 The report OF
The Secretary OF War for further details To The Che.
rokees whose has perhaps excited the greatest
If ali II. States
granted in fee, with perpetual guaranty OF exclusive
and peaceable possession, - 3i l acres Of land on
the west side Of The Mississippi elgibly situated, IN
healthy climate and in all respects better suited TO Their
condition than the country they have left in exchange
for only 9l92 100 the east side Of the same
river. The u. s. have in addition stipulated TO pay
them five millions six hundred thousand dollars tor their
interest in, and Improvements on the lands thus ren
Quished. and million hundred and sixty thou
sand dollars for subsistence and other beneficial Pur
poses; thereby putting in their power 10 become one
Of the most wealthy and independent separate commu
mites OF the same extent, in the world.
BY the trellies made and ratified with the MIamles
the Chppewas the Sioux, the Sacs and Foxes and the
Winnebagoes during the last year. the Indian title 10
eighteen millions four hundred and fifty eight thousand
has been extlngulshed. These purchases have
been much more extensive than those of any previous
year and have, with other Indian expenses, borne
very heavily upon the Treasury. They leave, how
ever but small quantity Of unbought Indian lands
within The States and Territories and the Legislature
aud Executive were equally sensible OF the Proprlcty
of final and more speedy extinction OF Indian titles
within those limits. The treaties which were. with
single exception made in pursuance Of previous aPpo-
pratops for deraying the expenses, have subsequently,
been ratified by the Senate aud received the sanction oi
Congress by The appropriations necessary to carry them
into effect OF the terms upon which these important
negotiations were concluded, ] speak from direct
knowledge; and feel difficulty in affirming, that the
interest of the Indians in the extensive territory EN-.
braced BY Them be paid for az its fair value, and
,b,tp hla torn hnpn hppD
United States than would have been reasonably expect
ed in negotiation with civilized men, fully capable oil
approaching and protecting their rights. For the
Indian title lG,i9 S9T acres, acquired since the 9TH
Of March. lc29, the United States have paid SI2,5OO
O56 in permanent annuilies lands reservations for In
dams expenses of removal and subsistence merchan
disc, mechanical aud agricultural Establishments and
Implements When the heavy expenses incurred by
the United States, and the circumstance that so large
por,iors Of the entire territory will be forever unsaea
bic considered, and this price IS compared with that
for which The United States sell their own lands, no
one doubt that Justice has been done 10 the Indians
in these purchases also Certain is, that the ransac
lions Of the Federal Government with the Indians have
been uniformly characterized by sincere and paramount
desire 10 promote their weare and ii must be source
oil the highest qualification 10 every friend 10 justice and
humanity TO learn that notwithstanding he distractions
from time time thrown in its way, and the difficulties
which have arisen from the peculiar and lmpraCcable
nature Of the Indian character the wise, humane and
underwriting policy of Government in this, the most dit
hcut OF all our relations, foreign or domes'c mas III
length been justified TO The world in It's near approach 10
a happy and certain consummatlon
The condition of the tribes which occupy the country
set apart for them in the West is highly prosperous, and
encourages the hope Of their early civilization. They
have for the part, abandoned the hunter state and
turned their attention agricultural pursuits All those
who have been established for any length Of time in that
fertile region, maintain themselves by their own industry
There are among them traders Of inconsIderabIe ca
pital, and planters exporting cotton TO some extent but
the greater number are small agrculursls, living in COM
fort upon the produce Of their farms. The recent emf
grants, although they have in instances removed
reluctantly have readily acquesced in their unavoidable
destiny They have found at recompense for past
suterings and incentive to industrious habits in the
abundance and comforts around them There is reason 10
Lu,rn ihni tribes friendly In Their ieengs