Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-01-03


citizens, indviduals possessed Of military know
ledge and the scientific attainments of civil and
military engineering. AT present, the cadet is
bound, with consent OF his parents or guardians,
to remain in service live years from the period Of
his enlistment, unless sooner discharged thus
exacting only one years service i'm the Army af.
ter his education is completed. This does not APP
pear to mo sufficient. Government ought to oom-
mand for longer period tho services Of those
who are educated at the public expense, and re-
commend that the time of enlistment be extended
to seven years and tho terms of engagement
strictly enforced.
The creation of national foundry for cannon
to be common to the service Of the army and ma
Wy Of tho United States has boen heretofore re-
commended, and appears to be required in order
to place our ordnance on an equal footing with
that Of other countries, and to enable that branch
of the service to control the prices Of those ar
ticles, and graduate the supplies to the wants of
the Government, as well as to regulate their quail
ity and ensure their uniformity. Tho Same rea
sons induce mo TO recommend the erection of a
mandatory OF gunpowder, to be under the di-
recton of the Ordnance Office. The establish.
ment of L mandatory of small arms west of the
Allegheny mountains, upon the plan proposed
by the Secretary of War; will contribute to OK
tend throughout that country the improvements
which exist in establishments of similar des-
crption in the Atlantic States, and tend to much
more economical distribution of tho arma.
ment required in tho western portion of the
Union.
The system Of removing the Indians west of
the Mississippi, commenced by Mr.. Jefferson
in 1884, has been steadily persevered in by every
succeeding President, and may bic considered the
settled policy of the country. Unconnected at
first with any well defined system for their im-
pavement the inducements held out to the In
IN nod 10 fbo tor AZ. Jacc
game to be found in the Vest but when the
beneficial effects of their removal were made APP
parent, a more philanthropic and enlightened
policy was adopted in purchasing their lands east
of the Mississippi. Liberal prices were given,
and provisions inserted in all the treaties with
them for the application of the funds they recoiv-
ed in exchange, to such purposes as wero best
calculated to promote their present welfare, and
advance their future civilization. These measures
have been attended thus far with the happiest re-
suits.
1t will be seen, by referring to the report Of
the commissioner of Indian Affairs, that the
most sanguine expectations of the friends and
supporters of this system have been realized-
The Choctaws, Cherokees, and other tribes that
first emigratcd beyond the Mississippi, have, for
the most part, abandoned the hunter state, and
become cultivators of SOIL The improvement in
their condition has been rapid, and it is believed
that they arc now fitted to enjoy the advantage
of q simple form of government, which has been
submitted to them and received their sanction and
l cannot too strongly urge the subject upon the
attention Of Congress.
Stipulstons have been made with all the In
dian tribes to remove them beyond the Mississippi
except with the band of the Wyandotts, the Six
Nations in New York, tho Menomonies, Man.
dams, Stockbridges in Wisconsin, and Miamies
in Indiana. With all but the Menomonies, it is
expected that arrangements for their emigration
will be completed the present year. The resist
ance which has been opposed TO their removal by
some OF the tribes, even after treaties had been
| made with them to that effect, has arisen from
various causes operating differently on each of
them In most instances they have been insti-
gated TO resistance by persons to whom the
| trade with them and the acquisition of their
annuities were important; and in some by the
| personal influence Of interested chiefs. These
obstacles must be overcome for the Govern
| ment cannot rolinquish the execution of this
| policy without sacrificing important interests,
and abandoning the tribes remaining east of the
| Mississippi to certain destruction.
The decrease in numbers of the tribes within
tho limits of the States and Territories has been
most rapid If they be removed, they can be
protected from those associations and evil prac-
| tiscs which exert so pernicious and destructive
an influence over their destinies. They can be
induced to labor and to acquire property, and its
| acquisition will inspire them with feeling of
| independence. Their minds can be cultivated
and they can be taught the value of salutary and
| uniform laws, and be made sensible of free gov
eminent, and capable of enjoying its advantages.
In the possession of property, knowledge, and u
| good government, free to give what direction they
please to their labor, and sharers in the lcgsla.
ton by which their persons and the profits of
their industry arc to be protected and secured,
they will have an ever present conviction Of the
| importance of union, of peace among themselves,
| and of the preservation of amicable relations with
us. The interests of the United States would al
SO be greatly promoted by freeing the relations
between the General and State governments from
what has proved most embarrassing incum-
brance, by satisfactory adjustment OF conflict
ing titles to lands, caused by the occupation of
the Indians, and by causing the resources of the
whole country to be developed by the power
| Of the State, and General Governments, and
improved by the enterprise Of white popula-
ton.
Immediately connected with this subject is the
obligation Of the government to fulfill its treaty
stipulations, and to protect the Indians thus as-
sembled eat their new residences from all inter-
ruptions and disturbances from any other tribes
or nations of Indians as from any other person
or persons whatsoever" and the equally solemn
obligation to guard from Indian hostility its own
| border settlements, stretching along a line OF
| moro than one thousand miles. To enable
government to redeem the pledge to the Indians
and to afford adequate protection to its own citi
zens, will require the continual presence of a
| considerable regular force on the frontiers and
| and the establishment of chain of permanent
| posts. Examinations of the country ale now
making, with view to decide on the most suit
able points for the erection of fortresses and 9TH
or works Of Defence the results Of which will be
presented to you by the secretary of War at an
early day, together with plan for tbs effectual
projection of the friendly Indians, and the per-
manent defence of the frontier States.
By the report of the Secretary Of the Navy
herewith communicated, it appears that unro-
mittcd exertions huve been made at the different
| navy yards to carry into effect all authorized
measures for the extension and employment OF
our naval force The launching and prepare.
ton of the ship of the line, Pennsylvania, and
the complete repair of the ships of the line
Ohio, Delaware, and Columbus. may be noticed
as forming respectable addition to this impor
tant arm Of our national defence. Our com
mcrce and navigation have received increased
aid and protection during the present year.
Our squadrons in the Pacific and on the Brazil
ian station have been much increased, and that
in the Mediterranean, although small is adequate
to the present wants Of our commerce in
that sea. Additions have been made to our
squadron on the West India station, where the
| large force under Commodore Dallas has been
most actively and efficiently employed in pro-
tecting cur commerce, in preventing the impor-
| tation of slaves and in cooperating with off,
GERS of the Army in carrying ON the war in
| Florida.
/ IL. n