Maumee City express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1838-184?, 1838-12-22
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
(Conctuded.i

lects connected with and essential to the mill
tary defences of the country, which were sub
mitled to you a. the last session; but which
were not acted upon, as is supposed, for want
of time. The most important of them is the
organization of the militia ON the maratime
and inland frontiers. This measure is deem
ed important, as it Is believed that it will fur
nish an effective volunteer force in aid of the
regular army, and may form the basis for 4
general system of organization for the entire
militia ofthe United States. The erection Of
national foundry and gunpowder manufacto-
ry, and one for making small arms, the latter
to be situated at some point west Of the Allega-
ny mountains, all appear to be Insufficient i'm
portance to be again urged upon your attention.
The plan proposed by the Secretary Of War
for the distribution ofthe forces of the U. s.
in time ofpeace, is we'll calculated to promote
regularity and economy in the fiscal admins
tration of the service, to preserve the disci-
pline ofthe troops, and to render them availa-
BILE fer the maintainance of the peace and tran-
guilty of the country. With this view, like
wise, recommend the adoption of the plan
presented by that officer for the defence of
the western frontier.-The preservation of
the lives and property of our fellow citizens
who are settled upon that border of country,
as well as the existence of the Indian popula-
tion which might be tempted by our want of
preparation to rush on their own destruction
and attack the white settlements, all seem to
require that this subject should be acted upon
without delay, and the War Department au-
thorized to place that country in state of
complete defence against any assault of the
numerous and warlike tribes which are congre
gated on that border
1t affords me sincere pleasure to be able to
arprize yon Of the entire removal ofthe Chero-
kee nation of Indians to their new homes west
of The Mississippi. The measures authorized
by Congress at its last session with a view to
the long standing controversy with them, have
had the happiest effects. By an agreement
concluded with them by the commanding gen
eral in that country, who has performed the
duties assigned to him on the occasion with
commendable enc 'gy and humanity, their re-
moval has been principally under lie conduct
oftheir own chiefs, and they haTe emgrated
without any apparent reluctance. ,
The successful accomplishment of this i'm.
portant object; the renewal also, of the entire
Creek nation, with exception of a small number
of fugitves amongst the SeminGles in Florida
the progress already made towards speedy
completion of the removal of the Chickasaws,
the Chocktaws, the Pottawatamies, the Otta-
was, and the Chippewas, with the extensive
purchases of Indian lands during the present
year, have rendered the speedy and useful re-
suit of the long established policy of the go
vernment upon the snbject Of Indian affairs en-
tirely certain. The occasion is, therefore,
deemed proper one to place this policy in
such point ofview as will exhonerate the go
vernment of the United States from the nnde-
served reproach which has been cast upon it
through several administrations. That a mix :.
ed occupancy of the same territory, by the
white and red man, is incompatible with the
safety or happiness of either, is position in
respect to which there has long since ceased
to be room for difference of opinion. Reason
and experience have alike demonstrated its i'm
practcability.-The bitter fruits of every at
tempt hcretoforet to overcome the barriers inter-
posed by nature, have only been destruction,
both physical and moral TO the Indian danger
Gus conflicts Of authority between the federal
akd state governments; and detriment to the
individual prosperity of the citizen, as well as
to the general Improvement of the country.
The remedial policy, the principles of which
were settled more than thirty years ago, under
the administration of Mr. Jefferson, consists
in extinction, for fair consde ration of the
title to all the lands still occupied by the Indi-
ans within the states and territories of the
Unite,l States: their removal to country west
of the Mississippi, much more extensive, and
better adapted to their condition than that on
which they then resided; the guarantee to them
by the United States, of their exclusive posses
sion of that country forever, exempt from all
intrusions by white men, with ample provisions
for their security against external violence and
internal dissentions, and the extension to them
of suitable facilities for their own advance
ment in civilization. This has not been the
policy of particular administrations only, but of
each in succession since the first attempt to
carry it out under that of Mr.. Monroe. All have
labored for its ccomplishment, only with DIFF
ferent degrees of success. The manner of its
execution has, it Is true, from time to time
given rise to, conflicts of opinion and unjust
imputations but in respect to the wis
dom and necessity of the policy itself, there
has not. from the beginning, existed doubt in
the mind of any calm, judicious dislnterested
friend ofthe Indian race, accustomed to reflec-
tion and enlightened by experience.
q Occupying the double character of contract
or on its own account, and guardian for the
parties contracted with, it was hardly to be
expected that the dealing of the federal go
vernneht with the Indian tribes would escape
Misrepresentation. That there occurred in
the early settlement of this country, as in all
others where the civilized race has succeeded
to the possessions of the savage, instances of
oppression and fraud on the part of the for
mer, there is too much reason to believe. No
such offences cam however, be pistly charged
upon this government since it became free to
pursue its own course. It's dealings with the
Indian tribes. have been just and friendly
throughout; its efforts for their civilization
constant, and directed by the best feelings of
humanity; watchfllness in protecting them
fran, indiuilllal frallds nnrenaittina. its for.