True American. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1835-18??, 1838-12-12
mind of any calm judcious, dsintsrestcd friend of
the Indian race, accustomed to reflection and en-

inc indian race, accustomed to reflection and en-
ightened by experience.
Occupying the double charac' ri of contractor on
lis own account, and guardian for The parties con-
ractcd with, it was hardly to be expected that the
dealings OF The Federal Government will, the In
dian tribes would escape misrepresentation That
there occurred in the carly settlement of this
country, as in all others where the civilized race
Es succeeded TO the possessions of the savage in.
nanccs of oppression and fraud on the part of the
former, there is too much reason to believe No
such offences can, however, be justly charged upon
this Government since it became free to pursue its
own course. Its dealings with the Indian tribes
have been just and friendly throughout; its efforts
Tor their civilization constant and dir cted by the
hest feelings of humanity; its watchfulness in pro.
tccting them from individual frauds unremitting;
It's iorbearance under the keencst provocatons tile
deepest injuries, and tho most fragrant ou,rages,
may challenge at least comparison with any ma.
to', ancient or MODERN i'll similar circumstances;
ana II IN future times powerful, civilized, and
happy nation of Indians shall be found to exist
within the limits of this northern continent, it W ill
owing to the consummation of that policy which
has been so unjustly assallsd
Only very brief to facts in confirmation of tb,
can In TINS form be given, and therefore
ecsry referred the Report the Secretary Of War for
further details To the Cherokees, whose has perhaps
eAcca the greatest share of attention sympahy the
have granted in fee simple perpetual of OK
elusive and pc possession 4i35 land on
the west side oil the Mississippi eligby situated in
climate and all respects suited 10 their
me country they have e in exchange emily s4s l6O
acres on the east side of the The United states
have in addition stipulated pay them five million, six
bred thousand dollars 70, their in
y thousand dollars for subsistence other beneficial
se thereby putting in their power to become ono Of tho
same extent in tn world. - '
BY the treaties made and ratified with the Mam the Sioux
the sats and Foxes, and the Winnebago during the last
year. the Indian title to eighteen million four hundred and
htty-eighty thousand has been exn.uished These
previous year. and have with other Indian EXPENSES hornc
very heavily upon Che Treasury They leave however, hut
and Territories and the legislature and the executive
equally convinced of the propiey of final and more speedy
which were, with single exception made in nrrsu,nsn Of
previous for deiraying expenses have sub
n on neen a,ne by the and received the
ION OF ny me appropriations necessary enry
them into effect Ofthe terms upon which these ;mnortont
edge and feel no difficulty affirming that the nteres, Of
the Indians in the extensive territory embraced by them 10 IN
have been granted TO the United than would have h
reasonably expected in negotiation civilized man fill,
capable of approaching their own rights. ' 'y
For the Indian title o97 acquired ,;nce ,h AL,
March, a2 the states have paid s7256O o5 in permonen.
M and ior Indians reno
establishments and implements When the heavy
py Inc states ana the circumstance that large
considered and this price compared with that which b
States sell THEN lands, doubt that .,;.s
been done to the Indians in these pur ehases also I'D"
Certain is TINT the transactions of the America,
the Indians nave been uniformly Nv
sincere and paramount desire to promote their welfare
it must be of the highest erotfc.t;or n sSae any
justice and humanity to learn that the OBJ
structions from time 10 time thrown and te d;a
which arisen from the peculiar and
of the Indian character, the wise humane and nd
waiting policy of the in this tho most difficult f
all relations foreign domestic has length been u,
fed to the world in its near approach happy and certain
cansummation
The condition Of the tribes which occupy the country set
apart for them in the west is highly encoura
ges the hope Of their early civilization Thcy have far The
ruent harot
ton to agricultural pursuits All those who have hesn esta
bished for auy length time in that fertile region a;n;
themselves by their industry There are omonD them
traders OF no hconsderahe capital planters exporting
10 some extent but the greater number small ag-
ric"turast living in comfort upon the produce of their
farms " "''"
The emgrans although thew have in oro ;n.,.
ees removed have readily in their I'M
avoidabe destiny They have found once e.
past suerngs and an incentive to iudu,,r or
abundance and comforts around them. ' :" ''0
There is to believe that all these tribes ore .,,
her towards tho United States and hoped
culture and habits of industry will gradually snhdue IA;
themselves 'A' pe'ee ahohe
To effect this desirable object the attention of Conrress
solicited to the measures recommended by Secretary Of
war Tor their future COVE nmen protcction no vol.
from each other from the hostility of The w,r,, ,;I
around them and the Intrusion of the whites The pocy Of
the government has them permanent home a,d v
aneed to them its peaceful and nd turbcd possession
~ only remains to give them government laws whch
VIII encourage industry, and Them The r.uord s
their exertions. The importance some form of
cannot be too much insisted The earliest effects he
The
tribes to inspire interest in tho observance of the
which they will have themselves assented aud to mnl,n H.
securities or property and the motives for self
Intimately connected with this subject i, the
the military defences by the Secretary of Wa.
which nave been already referred Without them The
crnMeHt will be Powcrless redeem its pledges of
to the Indians. against tho w4rke tribes m y, @
round them and to provide for the safety of tho frec,
tiers Of the bordering states. " ' 'e'-
The case of the Sr,ninolcs constitutes at pre,en,
the only exception to The successful efforts of tho
Government to remove the Indians to the hmmcs
,r,,nI |, 49,
drod of this tribe emigr ted in 1886 and 6f,een
hundred III 1887 and 1888, leaving in the coun,,v
it is supposed, about 1000 Indians. The continued
treachernus conduct of these people, the sayop, and
unprovoked murders they have lately commit,,d
bnchcring whole families Of the settler, Of tbe ;ar
rl1ory, without distinction Of age SEX and max
ing their way into the very centre and heart Of tho
country, that part oft is free from their rava.
gcs; thu r frequent attacks the light houses along
that dangerous coast; and the barburty with which
they nave murdered the passengers and crews If
such vesse as have been wreck ID upon tho reefs
and keys which border tho Gulf, leave the Gov
eminent no alternative but to continue the military
PEELED from Florida.
There arc other motives which would uroe the
Government to pursue this course towards he Se.
minolcs. The United States have fulfilled in good
faith all their treaty stpalatons with the Indian
tribes, and hove IN every other instance, insisted on
a like performance of their obligations. To relax
from this saIutary rule because the Seminoles ha We
maintained themselves so long in tho Territory
they relinquished, and in defiance of their freouent
and solemn engagements still continue to wage
ruthless war against the United States would not
only evince want of constancy on our part. but
be of evil example in our intercourse with other
tribes
Experience has shown that but little ia TO BIZ
gained by the march Of armies through a country
SO intersected with inaccessible swamps and mnrsh
es, and which, from the fatal and mortal charac
ter of the climate, must be abandoned at the end
of the winter. l recommend, therefore, to your
attention the plan submitted by the Secretary of
War, in tho accompanying report, for the perma.
nent occupation OF the portion of the territory
freed from the Indians, and tho more efficient pro.
lection of the people of Florida from their inhu.
man warfare.
From tho report of the Secretary of the Navy,
herewith transmitted, it will appear that a large
portion of the disPosablc naval force is either ae
lively employed or in state of preparation for
the purposes of experience and discipline and the
protection of our commerce. So effectual has been
this protection, that, far as the information of
government extends, not single outrage has been
attempted on vessel carrying the flag of the
United States, within the present year, in any
quarter. however distant or exposed.
Tho exploring expedition sailed from Norfolk on |
the 18th of August last and Information has been |
received of its safe arrival at the island of Madeira
The best spirit animate he officers and crews and |
there is every reason to anticipate from lis efforts
results beneficial to commerce and honorable 10 the
nation.
1t will also b. seen that no reduction of the
force now in commission is contemplated. The |
unsettled state of portion Of South America rem.
Iu,li h1n hat ,I,o