The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-12-11


It's own account, and guardian for the parties con-
tracted WITH it hardly to be expected that the
dealings of the Federal Government with the In
dan Tubes would escape misrepresentation. Ihat
mere occurred in the eaey settlement OF tins couh
try, as in all others where the civilized race has
succeeded To the possessions of the savage, lnsan
ces of oppression and fraud on the part Of the ior
mer, there is too much reason To believe. NO sueh
offences can, however, be justly charged upon This
Government since it became free to pursue It's own
course Its dealings with the Indian tribes nave
been just and friendly throughout its efforts Tor her
civilization constant and directed by the pest iee'
ings of humanity; its wachtulness in protecting
them from individual frauds unremitiIng; Its ioroear
ance under the keenest provocatlons, the deepest
injuries, and the most fragrant outrages may email
ledge AT least in comparison with any nation, an
cient or modern lin similar circumstances; and II in
future times a powerful, civilized. and happy ma
ton of Indians shall be found TO exist wllhlh the
limits of this northern continent, 1t will be owing
| TO the consunmation of that policy winch has been
so uniustly assailed. Only very hrlel reference
facts in confirmation of this assertion can IN ms
form be given; and you are, therefore, necessarily
referred to the report of the Secretary OF War Tor
further details. TO the Cherokees, whose case has
perhaps excited the greatest share of attention and
! sympathy. the United States have granted in fee,
with perpetual guaranty of exclusive and peacea-
Bile possessions, 1854 ,135 of land the
side of the Mississippi, eligiby situated, in healthy
climate and in all respects better suited to their
condition than the country they have left, in
change for only 9,492, 100 the east side of
the same river. Tho United States have in ad.
| diuon stipulated to pay them i've millions SIX nun
dred thousand dollars for their interest in, and inn
provement on, the lands thus relinquIshed, and
million one hundredsand sixty Thousand dollars for
subsistence! and other beneficial purposes; thereby
putting it in their power to become one ofthe most
wealthy and independent seprate communities, of
the same extent. in the world
BY the treaties made and ratified with the Miami
les, the Chippe was, the Sioux and Sacks aud Fox
es, and the Winnebagoes during the last year, the
Indian title to eighteen millions four hundred and
i lty-e ght thousand acres have been extingushed
i These purchases have beeu much more extensive
than those OF any previous year, AMI have, with
other Indian expenses, borne very heavily upon
the treasury. They leave however, but a small
quantity ofunbought Indian lands within the states
and territories, and the legislature and executive
were equally sensible Of the proprety final and
more speedy extinction Of Indian titles within those
limits The treaties which were, with single
exception, made in pursuance Of previous appropr-
tons for deiraying the expense, have subsequently,
been ratified by the senate, and received the sane
ton OF congress by the appropriations necessary to
carry them into effect. OF the terms upon which
these important negotiations were concluded eau
speak from direct knowledge aud feel 10 Difficult
~ in affirming that the interests of the Indians in
the extensive territory embraced by them, is be
paid for at its fair value, and that no more !avora
able terms have been granted to the u States Than
would have been reasonably expected III nego-
citation with civilized men, fully capable of appre-
cating and protecting their own rights. For the
lndian{ title to ll534 Sg7 sClcs uCqnired since
March 4, 1929, the United States have paid $72
$780, 50' in! permanent annuitcs lands, reservations
merchandise, mechanical and agricultural establish
ncnts and implements. When the heavy cXpen.
scs incurred by the United States, and he circum.
stances that large portion of the entire terrific
ny will be forever unsaleablo, considered and
this price compared with that which the United
States sci! their own lands, no one can doubt THAI
justice has been done TO the Indians in these pur
chhses also. Certain IL Is, that the transactions at
the federal government with the Indians havc been
uniformly characterized by sincere and para
mount desire to promote their welfare; and it must
be source of the highest qualification 10 every
friend to Justice and humanity to learn, notwith-
ttandlng the distinctions from time TO time thrown
IN its way, aud the difficulties which have risen
from The peculiar and impractIcabc nature of the
| Indian character the wise, humane and undevla-
ting policy of the government in this, the most dit
! fcuit of all aons, foreign domestic, has
at length been justified to the world in IT'S near APP
proach to happy and certain consummdtlon.
The condition of the tribes which occupy the
country set apart for them liz the west, Is highly
prosperous, and encourage the hope of their early
civilization. They have for the most part, aban.
I doned the hunter state, and turned their attention
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 inconsderabe
capital, and planters exporting cotton 20 some ex-
tent but the greatest number small agricultural
| ISIS living in comfort upon tho produce of their
farms. The recent emisrants, although they have
in some instances moved reluctantly, have readily
acqnicsced in their unavoidable destiny. They
have found at once ii Iecompense for past suffer
I ngs and an incentive to industrious habits, in tho
abundance and comforts around them. There is
reason believe that all these tribes friendly
in their feeling towards the United States; and 1t
is to be hoped that the acquisition OF individual
wealth. the pursuits of agriculture, and habits ofin-
dustry, will gradually subdue their warlike propen.
sites, and incline them maintain peace among
themselves To effect this desirable object, the
attention of Congress is solicited TO the measures
recommended by the Secretary Of War, for their
future government and protection, well from
each other as from the hostility of the warike tribes
around them, and the nrusions of tho whites.
The policy of the Government has given them
permanent home, and guaranteed to them its peace
uI and undsturbed possession. 1t only sremuins to
give them governemnt and laws which will en-
courage industry and secure 'o-them the rewards
of their exertions. The importance of some form
| of government cannot be to much insisted upon.
The earliest efforts will be diminish the causes
and occasions for hoslilities among the tribes to
inspire interest in the observance of laws to
which they will have themselves assented and to
multiply the securities of property and motives