Piney Woods planter. (Liberty, Mi. [i.e. Miss.]) 1838-1840, 1838-12-22

| quantity OF unbought lanos and Indian ter
rltorles, and the legislature and executive
were equally sensible of the propriety OF
final and more speedy extinction of In
dian titles within those limits. The trea-
ties which we're, with single exception,
made in pursuance of previous appropria-
lions for defraying the expenses, have sub
sequently been ratified by the Senate,
and received the sanction of Congress by
the appropriations necessary to carry them
into effect. Ofthe terms upon which these
important negotiations we're concluded, |
can speak from direct knowledge; and
feel no difficulty in affirming that the in
terests of the Indians in the extensive ter
ritory embraced by them, is to be paid for
its value, and that no more favorable
terms have been granted to the United
States than would have been reasonably
expected in negotiation with civilized
men, fully capable Of approaching and
protecting their own rights.
''For the Indian title to l6,349,S97 a.
ores, acquired since the 4th Of March,
1929, the United States have paid S72,-
500,056, in permanent annuities, lands,
reservations for Indians, expenses of re-
moval and subsistence, merchandise, me-
chancal and agricultural establishments,
and implements. When the heavy ex-
pense incurred by the United States, and
the circumstance that SO large portion of
the entire territory will be forever unsafe
able, are considered and this price is com.
.,1 4tat H .h ths,I tot,
sell their own lands, no one can doubt that
lnstice has been done to the Indians in
these purchases also. Certain il is, that
the transactions of the Federal Govern
ment with the Indians have been uniform
" characterized hy a sincere and para
mount desire to promote their welfare;
and it must be source Of qualification to
every friend to justice and humanity, to
learn that, notwithstanding the obstruc-
tions from time to time thrown in its way,
and the difficulties which have arisen from
the peculiar and impracticable nature of
the Indian character, the wise, the hu-
name, and undertaking policy OF the Gov
eminent in the, this most difficult of ali
our relations, foreign or domestic, has at
length been justified TO the world in its
near approach to happy and Certain
consummation.
"The condition of tbs tribes which &C.
cupy the country set apart for them in the
west, is highly prosperous, and encour-
oges the hJpe of their early civilization.
lhey nave for the most part, abandoned
the hunter state, and turned their atten-
ton to 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 no inconsidera-
BILE capital, aud planters exporting cotton
to some extent; but the greater number
arc small agricuturalirts, living in com
fort upon the produce of their farms"
The message concludes with the sub
iect of the Post Office Department, from
which we take the following extract:
s.The progress and condition of the Post
: Office Department will be seen by re fer.
+, encc to the report of the Postmaster Ge
neral. The extent of post roads, covered
bv mail contracts, is stated to be l34 ,8lS
miles, and the annual transportation upon
: them "a, 5S0,202 miles. The number o
r post Offices in the United States is II ,554
e and rapidly increasing. The gross reye
j nue. for the year ending on the Both day
of June last, was Si,262,l45 90. The
l. accruing expenditures, $4,6S0,06S 90
9 excess of expenditures, $4l7,923, 000.-
@ This has been made up out of the surplu
previously on hand. The cash Oh ham
e on the first instant was $3l4,06S co.
o. The revenue for the year ending June &c
!. 1888, was $l6l, $40 more than that 70
&c the year ending June 80, 1887. The ex
10 penditures of the department had beef
y graduated upon the anticipation of large
n ly increased revenue. A moderate cur
tailment of mail service consequently be
came necessary, and has been effected, t,
L. shield the department against the DANCE
n of embarrassment. Its revenue is nov
n. improving, and it will soon resume its on
ward course in the march of improvement
"four particular attention is requested
IS to SO much of the Postmaster Generals re
n port as relates to the transportation of thu
o mails upon rail roads, The laws on tina
g subject do not seem adequate to secur,
> that seWice, now become almost essentia
'f to the public interests, and at the sam,
y time protect the department from comb
d nations and unreasonable demands.
"Nor can too earnestly request you
g attention to the necessity of providing
g more secure building for this department
d The danger of obstruction to which its i'm
! portant books and papers are continuall
e exposed, as well from the highly combus
n tible character of the building occupied
J as from that of others in the vicinity, call
!; loudly for prompt action"
!, Few, perhaps none, will rise from tn
t. perusal of this document, and not feel tn
truth and force of the doctrines there Sc
h forth. They are liberal, enlightened an