Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-12-13

Of the United States, their removal to
country west ~ the Mississippi much more
extensive, and better adopted 10 their con
dition, than that on which they then resided
the guarantee 10 them, by the United States
Of their exclusive possession of that country
forever exempt from oil intrusions by whine
men, with simple provisions for their securi,
against external violence and internal dissen-
sions, aud the extension To them Of sultabl,
facilities for their advancement IN civilization
This has not been tho policy Of particular al
ministrations only, but Of each in succession
since the first attempt 10 carry 1t out nndci
that Of Mr.. Monroe. All have laborcd for ls
accomplishment, only with different degrees
ofsuccess. TIE manner of its execution has
il is true, from time 10 time, given rise t.
conflicts Of opinion and unjust imputations I;
but in respect TO the wisdom and necessity
Of the policy itself, there has not, from the
beginning, existed doubt in the mind OF any
calm, jidicious, dsinterested friend of the
Indian race, accustomed to reflection and
enlightened by experience.
Occupying the double character Of con
tractor on its own account, and guardian Tor
The parties contracted with, it was hardly to-
be expected that the dealings Of the Federal
Government with the Indian tribes would
escape misreprcse ntaton. That there oc-
cured in the early settlement Of this coun
try, as in all others where the civilized race
has succeeded TO the possessions OF the saw
age, instances OF oppression and fraud on the
part Of the former, there is too much reason
10 believe. No such offences can, however
be Justly charged upon this Government
since it became free 10 pursue its own course
Its dealings with the Indian tribes have been
just and friendly throughout; its efforts fol
their civilization constant, and directed by
tie best feelings Of humanity; it's watchful-
ness in protecting them from individual frauds
unremitting; it's forbearanco under the keen.
est Provoca,ions, the deepest injuries, and
the most 6agIant outrages, may challenge a
least comparison with any nation, ancient
or modern, IN similar circumstances and II
IN future times powerful, civilized. and hap
py nation of Indians shall be- found to exis,
within the limits Of this northern continent, it
will be owing to the consumma,ion Of that
policy which has been SO urlus,ly assailed
Only a very brief reference To facts in con
hrmallon of this assertion can in this form b
gwen, and you nre, therefore, necessarily
referred to the report Of the Secretary o.
War fur further details. To the Chcrokees,
whose ease has perhaps excited the greatest
V''iN WI aiANit'Jb ullN INV H'N'N
States have granted in tee, with perpetual
guaranty of exclusive md peaceable posses
slon. 1851 I35 acres of land. on the West
,ide of The Mississippi, elieibIy situated, IN II
heaiay climate, and in all respects better
suited to their condition than the country
they have left, in exchange for only 9,492, 100
nrics on the cast side Of the same rIver.-
The United States have in addition stipulated
fo ihpp, fyp mi lion civ bupIr rnl tlpu q a.
dollars for their interest in improvements on
the lands Tins rclinqrshed, ard one million
enc hundred and sixty thousand dollars for
subsistence and other beneficial purposes ::
thereby putting ii in their power to become
one of the most wealthy and independent
separate communities, of The same extent, IN
the world.
BY the treaties made and ratified with the
Mamirs, the Chippcwas. the Sioux, the Sacs
aud Foxes. and the Wnncbagoes, during
the last year, the Indian title to eighteen
million four hundred AMI fifty eight thousand
acres has been extingushed. These pnr-
chases have been much more extensive than
those Of any previous year, aud have, with
other Indian expenses. borne very heavily
upon the Treasury. They leave, however
bnt small quantity of unbonght Indian lands
within the States and Territories aud the
Legislature and Executive were equally sen
sblc of the propriety Of final aud more
speedy extinction or Indian titles within those
limits. The treaties which were, with .
single exception, made in pursuance Of pre-.
vIous appropriations for defraying the expen-
srs, have subsequently been ratified by the
Senate and received the sanction of Congress
by the appropriations necessary to carry them
into effect. O the terms upon which these
important negotiations were concluded, can
speak from direct knowledge; and feel No
difficulty in affirming that The interest of The
Indians IN the extensive territory embraced
by them, is TO be paid for at its fair value, and
that no more favorable terms have been
granted to the United States than would have
been reasonably expected in negotiation
with civilized men, fully capable of appre-
clatiag and protecting their own rights. For
the Indian title to ll6,349 ,S97 acres acquired
since the 4th of March, 1929, the Unned
States have paid 972 $50 ,056, in permanen,
annuities, lands, reservations for Indians,
expenses Of removal and subsistence, mer-
chandise, mechanical aud agricultural estab
lisliments, and inplimenls. When the heavy
expenses incurred by The United States, and
the Circumstance that so large portion Of
the entire territory viii be for ever unsalea-
Bile. are considered, and this price is compar-
ed with that for which the United States sell
their own lands, no one Gun doubt that justice
has been done 10 the Indians in these pur-
chases also. Certain it is, that the transac-
tlons Of the Federal Government with the |
Indians have been uniformly characterized
by sincere and paramoun, desire to promote
their welfare aud it must be q source Of tn
highest gratitcation to every friend TO justice
and humanity to learn that, notwithstanding
the distractions from time to time thrown H.
its way, and the difficulties which have arisen
from the peculiar and mprac,cable nature o
The Indian character, the wise, humane, and
undertaking policy of the Government in this,
the most difficult Of all our relations. foreign
or domestic, has at length been justified To
lbc world in its near approach to happy and
certain contamination.
The condition of the tribes which occupy
the country set apart for them in the West,
is highly prosperous, and encourages the
hope Of their early civilization. They have,
for The most part, abandoned the hunter state,
aud turned their attention to agricultural pur.
suiis. 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 lncon.
id,,rablc ca piial. and planters exporting cot.