Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-12-13

in protecting them from individual frauds,
unremitiing its forbearence under the keen
estprovocatlons, the deepest injuries. and
the most fragrant outrages, may challenge
at east comparison with any nation. an
cent or modern, in similar circumstances;
AID if in future timee powerful, civilized,
aad happy nation Of lndians shall be found
to exist within ths limits of this northern
continent, it will be owing to the consul
nation of this policy wbich he's been 80 UNI
Justly assailed. Only very brief refer
Tence to facts in confirmation Of this asser-
ltion, can in this form be given, and you
are necessarily referred to the report of the
Secretary of War for other details. To
the Cherokees, whose case hasperhaps ex-
| cited the greatest share of attention and
sympathy, the United States have granted
10 fee, with perpetual guaranty OF ex-
elusive and peacibe possession, 1904
1876 acres of land, on the west side OF the
Mississippi. eligibly situated, in healthy
climate, and in all respects better suited, to
their condition than the country they havs
| left, in exchange for only 9,49l 100 acres
on the east side of the same river. The
United States have in addition, stipulated
to pay them five millions siz hundred thou
/ sand dollars for the interest in, and inn
provements on, the lands thus relinquished,
and one million one hundred and sixty
thousand dollars for subsistence aud other
benihcal purposes; thereby pu'tlngt in
their power to became one OF the most
wealthy and independent separate COM
munities, of the same extent in the world.
By the treaties made and ratified with
the hIamis, the Chipewas, the Sioux. she
Sacs and Foxas, and the Winnebagos, du-
ring the last year, the Indian title TO eigh-
teen millions four hundred and fifty eight
thousand acres, has been ex.inguished.
These purchases have been much more ex
,ensiye than those Of any previous year,
and have, with other Indian expenses,
borne very heavily upon the Treasury
They leave, however, but small quantity
of unbongllt Indian lands within the States
andTeritorries; and the legislatures and tho
Executive were equally sensible OF the pro-
priety of final and more speedy extinc-
ton of Indian titles within those limits.
The treaties which were, with single ex-
cepton, made in pursuance of previous APP
proprations for delraying the expenses.
have subsequently been ratified by the
Senate. and received the sanction Of Con-
) gress by the appropriations necessary to
carry them into effect Ofthe terms upon
/, which these important negotiations arc
concluded, can speak from direct knowl-
edge; and no difficulty in affirming
that the Interests of the Indians in the ex-
tensive territory embraced by them; is to
be paid for at its fair value, and that no
moro Favorable terns haVo hoon gianfed
: to the United States, than would have been
: reasonably expected in negotiation with
) civilized men, fully able of approaching
aud protecting their own lights For the
Indian title to ZIG, $40 1897 acres, acquired
: since the 9TH of March, 1899. tne States
have paid S75.56O, 056, in permanent an
: nni.es, lands, reserved for Indians, expen-
scs Of removal aud subsistence, mer-
: chandise, mechanical! and agricultural es-
tablshments, and implements. When the
heavy expenses incurred by the United
: States, and the circumstances that so
: urge portion of the entire territory will
: be forever unsaleable, are considered, and
> this price is compared with that for which.
' the United States sell their own lands, no
: Que can doubt that Justice has been done to
! the Indians in these purchases also. Ger
2 tain il is that the transactions ofthe Federal
. Gov eminent WITH lue luuidus,
f uniformly characterized by sincere and
5 paramount desire to promote their welfare +,
: and it must be source ofthe highest graf
: ihca,ion to every friend to justice and hui
i manity to learn that, Notwithstanding tho
S distractions from time to time thrown in
r its way, and the difficulties which have a
: risen from the peculiar and lmpracticable
: MIXTURE of tho Indian character, the wise
humane, and undertaking policy of the
Government in this the most difficult OF
e all our relations, foreign or domestic, has
: at length been justified TO the world in its
$ neal approach to happy and certain cou-
C summation
n The condition of the tribes which occupy
J. the country set apart for them in the west,
It is highly prosperous, and encourages the
/ hope of their early civilization. They
e have, for the most part, abandoned the
t hunter state, and turned their attention to
$ AGRICULTURAL pursuits All those who have
s been established for any length of time in
n that fertile region, maintain themselves by
3 their own industry. There are among them
: traders of no uncomfortable capital, ex-
portiue Gotten to some extent, but the grea-
!, ter number small agriculturalists, living
9 in comfort upon the produce Of their farms
d The recent emigrarts, although they have
o in some instances removed reluctantly, have
readily acquiesced in their unavoidable des
tiny. They have found at once recon-
r.. of on ffo r;nos and an incentive