Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-12-14
To tho Cherokees, whose case has per.

To tho Cherokees, whose case has per-
haps excited the greatest share of at,en'
ton and sympathy the United States have
granted in fee, with perpetual guaranty
Of exclusive and peaccable possession
l3,654,l35 acres, of land on the west
side of the Mississippi, elgib!y situated
in healthy climate and in all respects
better suited to their condition than the
country they have left in exchange for
only 9,402, l6O acres on the east side of
the same river. The United States have
in addition stipulated to pay them five
millions six hundred thousand dollars for
their interest in and improvements ON
The lands thus rolinqulshed aud one
million one hundred and sixty thousand
dollars for subsistence and other bencll
clal purposes thereby putting it .nto
their power to become one OF tic most
wealthy and independent separate con
munitles, Of the same extent, in the
world.
BY the treaties made and ratified with
the Mlamics, the Chippewas, tho Sioux.
the .'acs and Foxes and the Winncbagoes
during the last year, the lndlan title to
eighteen millions four hundred and fifty
eight thousand acres has been extlnguish
ed. These purchases have been much
more extensive than those of any previous
year and have with other Indian expenses
borne very heavily upon the treasury. -
They leave however but small quaotity
of unbought Indian lands within the
states and territories and the Legislature
and executive were equally sensible Of
the propriety OF iiua and more speedy
cxticntion of Indian titles wilhn those
limits. The treaties which were, with
q single exception made in pursuance Of
previous appropriations for deiIaylng tx
penses have subsequently been ratified ny
tie senate and received the sanction OF
congress by the appropriations necessary
to carry them into effect.
OF he terms upon winch these important
negotiations were concluded J can speak
from direct knowledge; and feel no diff
Guilty IN afl itm'ng that the interest OF the
Indians IN the extensive territory embraced
by ihcra, is to be paid for at lis fair valuc.and
that no more favorable terms have been
granted to the Uultcd States than would
have been reasonably expected IN nego'
,alion with civilized men, fully capable Of
approaching and protecting their own rights.
For the Ind,on 'ule ~ l16 $40 937 acres
acquired since TIA" 4 h al hia.ch 1929, The
United States have pad S72 $50 O56, II
permanent annultics, lands, reservations LOT
Indians expences of removal, and subsistence
merchandise, mechanical and agrlcuura
establishments, and implements.
When the heavy cXp' noes incurred b!
the United States, aud the circumstance
I that so large potion of the entire TERRITORY
! will be forever unsaleab.e. are consldclc cd
aud this price is compared with that 10
| which the United States sell their own land
! 10 one can doubt that U-iice has bean dom
! To ihe Indians in ihcac purchas also -
I Certain il is. that the transactions OF lb
/ Federal Government with the indians hav
been uniformly charac 'crlseG by SINGER
and paramount, desire to promote Their wei
fare and 1t must be n source of the highe>
qualification to every friend to just ice an
| humanity TO learn that, Withs,andlng th
! ubsiructlOns from Tine to time thrown IN II
way, and The dItiicul les winch have arse
from the pecna' aud ,mntac'lcable nalur
ut he Indian character. the wise, humane
and undertaking policy of the governmcu
in this, the most d fficut of ali our relation
foreign or domestic, has at l'ng,h been ia.
fed to the world IN lis near approach to
happy and certain Consummaliun
The condition OF The lrlbcs which occup
the country set apart for them 10 the ives
is highly prosperous, and encourages tn
hope of their early civilization. They hav
for the most part, abandoned the hunlC
state, aud turned their attention to agricu
lnrai pursuits. All those who have bee
es,abl shed FOR any length Of time in tia
fertile reg ion, maintain themselves by the
own industry. There are among them ir,
ders of no nconsldefable capital, and par
iers exporting cotton to some extent bl
the greater number are small ogrlcutura
: lists, living ID comfort upon the produce
their farms. The recent emigran,s, a
though they have in some instances remove
reluctantly. have readily acqnIesced in the
unavoidable destiny. They have found
once recompense for past sufferIngs, or
an incentive TO industrious habl's, in the
bnndance aud comfort around them. Thci
Is reason TO believe that all these tribes
r friendly in their feelings towards the Unite
States; and il is to be hoped that the az
QUESTION OF indiVidual Wea'h, the pursuits
agriculture, aud habits Of industry. w
gradually subdue their warlike propcnsi,ie
!, aud incline them to maintain peace anon
themselves.
To effect this desirable object, the a',cu
ton Of congress is solicited to the measure
recommended by The Secretary of War f
their future government aud protection. n
well from each other rs from the host lin
Of the warlIkc tribes around them, and tn
ln'ruslons of the whites. The policy Of III
government has given them a pcrmanrr
hom",and goatanled to them lis peaceful an