Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-12-12

equally sensible Of the propreiy Of final and more
specdyextnction Of Indian titles wthinthose nits
The treaties which were, with a single exception,
made in pursuance Of previous appropriations Tor
defraying the expenses, have subsequently been
ratified by the Senate and received the sanction OF
Congress by the appropriations necessary TO carry
them into effect. OF the terms upon which these
important negotiations concluded can spesk
| from direct knowledge; and feel no difficulty in
affirming that the interests Of The Indians IN the ex-
tsnsive territory embraced by them. is TO be paid
for its fair vauc, and that favorable terms
heve been granted 10 the United States than would
have been reasonably expected in negotiation
with civilized men, fully capable of sppteciatne
| and protecting their rights. For the Indian
title IS 349 8g7 acre, acquired since The An Of
March, 1929, the United States have paid $72 500
056, in permanent annuites, lands reservations for
Indians, expenses Of removal and subsistence mer
cbsndse, mechanical and agricultural esisbfsh
nevis and implements. When the heavy ex-
penses incurred by the United States and the cir
eumsonce that 80 large portion of the entire ter
iitory will be fWever unsaleable, considered and
this price Is compared with that for which the Uni
ted States sell their lands no one can doubt
that justice bias been done To The Indians in these
purchases also. Certain il is that the tsansacions Of
the edersi Government with the Indians has. been
uniformly characterized by sincere and pars mount
desire TO promote their welfare; and il must be a
source OF the highest qualification every friend To
justice and humanity 10 learn that, notwithstanding
the obstructions from time 10 lime thfop in it, wsy
and the difficulties which have alisen from the ne
euinr and impractibe nature of the Indian charar-
ter The wise, humane, and undev Waiting roijcv "a. the
Government IN this, the d licut Of ~, m, -,
lanons foreign OF domestic, hns at sthbeen ius,i
bed TO The world IN is near approach TO a bnnnv
and certain consunation ~
The condition OF the ,,l,.s ,.,,;.b o,, i,
country set apart for them in the West il hiobfv
prosperous, ard encourages The hone Of their eariv
ciy'hzatlon They have, for the most part, aban.
uoheu tne hunter state, and turned their attention
10 agricultural pursuits. All these 81 mo hive been
established for any length Of time in that fertile r.
gon, mantain themselves BY thei, own industry,--
1 here are among them traders Of no nconsideretle
capital and planters exporting cotton to extent:
put the greater number small ngriculturalsts
living ~ comfort upon The produce Of their farms
ne recent emigrants, although they have in some
Instances removed reucl anly have readily acaui-
esced in their unavoidable destiny. They have
found at once rccompense for past suferings and
an incentive TO industrious habits in he abundance
and comforts around them. There is reasop TO be-
lleve that all these tribes are friendly in their feel
ings towards the United States and it is TO be no.
ped that the acquisition of individual wealth. the
pursuits OF agriculture, ard habits OF industry wi
gradually subdue their warke propensities, and in
chne them to maintain peace among themselves
10 effect this desirable object, the attention of on
gress is solicited to the measures recommended Nv
the Secretary Of War for their future goverpmen,
and protection, well from each other as from
the hostility ofthe watke tribes around them and
The intusions Of the whites. The policy of The
Government has given them permanent home -
and guaranteed to them its peaceful and pd s,,bed
possession. Ii only remains to give them GOVERN
ment and laws which will encourage ndustrv and
secure to them tie rewards Of their exertions -
Inc Importance OF some form of government can.
not be too much insisted upon. The earliest effects
Will be to diminish the causes md occasions far
host'li'ies among the tribes, To inspire un interest
IN the observance Of laws to which they will have
themselves assented, and 10 multiply the securities
OF property, and the motives for seif.improyement
Intimately connected with this subject, is the es-
| tablishmert of the military do fences recommended
by the Secretary of War, which have been already
referred TO- Without them, the Government will
be Poweles to redeem its pledges of protection TO
u G enligrating Indians against the numerous war
like tribes that surround them, and 10 provide for
the safety OF the frontier settlers of the BORDERING
States.
The case OF the Seminoles constitutes at present
the only exception 10 the successful efforts of the
Government to remove the Indians to the homes
assigned them west of the Mssisrpi Four hun
bred OF this tribe emgrared in 1886 and fifteen
hundred in 1887 and 1898, leaving in the country
It is supposed, about ? 900 Indians. Tie continu-
ed tfeacherous conduct OF these people the savage
and unprovokcd murders they have lately commit.
n, bu'chetng whole families of the settlers Of the
ie,'ito'y without distinction of age or SEX and
making their way into the very centre ard hear, nj
the country so that port OF it ia free from ,be,
rayages their treGgcn' attacks on the Lighthouses
along that dangerous coast; and the barbarty with
they have murdered the passengers and crews
ct such vessels as have been wrecked upon the reefs
ana keys which border the gulf, leave the Govern
ment no alternative hut to continue The military OPP
crations against them until they are totally expelled
from Florida
There are other motives which would urge The
Government to pursue this course towards the
Semnoles. The United States have fulfilled in
good faith all their treaty stipulations with the In
dian tribes, and have, in every other instance in
sisted upon like performances of their oh gatiops
10 relax from this salutary rule because the Semi
noies have maintained themselves SO long in tie
Territory they have relinquished and, in d, fance
OF their frequent and solemn engagements still
continue to wage a ruthless war against the United
states, would not only eviuce a want of constancy
on our part, but be of evil example in our inter.
course with other tribes. Experience has shown
that but little is TO be gained by the march of ar
'nies through country Intercepted with inacces-
slbe swamps and marshes, and which, from the IA
tai character of Tie climate, must he abandoned at
The end OF the winter. | recommend therefore 10
your attention the plan submitted by the Secretary
oil War in the accompanying report, for the perme-
nen' occupation OF the portion of the Territory
ireed from the Indians, and the more efficient pro-
lection OF the people ofFlorida from their inhuman
warfare.
FROM the report Of the Secretary of the Navy.
herewith transmitted it viii appear that a large
portion OF the disposable naval force is either ac-
'Ney en'Pioyed' or IN state ofpreparaton for the
purposes of experience and dsc pline, and the pro-
tecnon OF our commerce. Socf1ectual has been his
projection, that so far the information of Gov.
ernmen, extends, no; sirgle outrage has been at
tempted on vessel carrying the Tag OF the United
states within the present year. in any quarter.
however distant or exposed.
Ika exrnll,r ..... L.. 4