Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1839-01-05

the Il eueTal OOVeTiliHcnl WIN The BuUldn
tribes would escape Misrepresentation.
'ihat there occurred in the eally settle
ment OF the country, as in all others
where the civilized race has succeeded to
the possessions OF the savage, instances
OF oppression and fraud On the former there
is TOO much reason 10 believe. No such
offences can, however, be justly charged
upon tins Government, since it became
Tree to pursue lis own course. Its deal
ings with the Indian tribes have been Just
and friendly throughout; its efforts for
their civilization, constant, and directed
by the best feelings Of humanity; its
watchlnlncss IN protecting them from in
clvidual fraud unreml!ine, its forbealance
under the keenest Drovocalions, the deep
est injuries, and the most vagrant out
RACES, may challenge a! least comparison
with any nation, ancient or modern, in
similar circumstances and if ia future
times powerful, civilized, and happy
nation of Indians shall be found to exist
within the litnts CT ibis northern CONT
nent, it will be owing TO that consumma-
ton of that policy which has been so
unjnstly assaied. Only very brief
reference TO facts in confirmation of this
assertion can in this form he given, and
you are, therefore necessarily referred to
the report of the Secl etary Of War for
further details. To the Chcrokees, whose
case has perhaps excited the greatest share
Of attention and sympathy, the United
States have granted in fee, with a pcrpet.
ual guaranty Of exclusive and pcaceabIe
possession, 1854, 1875 acres Of land on
the west SIDE Of the Miss ssippi, eli.ibly
situated, in healthy climate, and in all
respects better suited to their condition
than the country they have left, in cx-
chance for only 9,192, 100 acres on the
cast side Of the same river. The United
States have in addition stipulated to pay
them five millions six hundred thousand
dollars Tor their interest in improvements
OH The lands thus reIln ruIshet, and one
million one hundred and sixty thousand
dollars for subsistence aud otherl eneiiclal
purposes, thereby putting il in their power
to become one OF the most wealthy ana
independent separate communities CT the
same extent, in the world.
by the treaties made and ratified with
the lMames, the Sioux, the Sacs and
Foxes, and the Winnebagoes, during the
last year, The Indian title to eighteen hun
bred millions four hundred and fifty eight
thousand acres has been oXiinguished.
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 quantity
of unhought Indian lands within The States
and Territories; and the Legislature and
Executive were equally sensible of the
proprety Of final and more speedy ex-
tinction OF Indian titles within those limits.
The treatise which were, with single eX-
cepiion, made in pursuance of previous
appropriations for deiraying the expenses
have subsequently been ratified by the
Senate, and received the sanction OF Con
gross by the appropriations necessary tt
carry them into effect. OF the terms upof
which these important negotiations were
concluded, can speak from direct know
ledge; and feel no difficulty in affirming
that the interest OF the Indians in the eX
tensive territory embraced ty them, is Il
be paid for at its fair value, and that II
more favorable terms have been grante'
TO the United States that would bsve BEEF
reasonably expected in a negotiation will
civilized men, fully capable Of appreclat
ing and protecting their own rights
For the Indian title to lI6,30,69'
acres acquired since the 4lh Of Marc
1929, the United States have paid $12
5G0,056, in permanent annulties, lands
reservations Tor Indians, expenses of re
moval and substance, merchandise, me
chani-al aud agricultural establishment
and implements. When the heavy eS
penses incurred BY the United States, an
the circumstance that so large porto
of the entire territory will be forever III
saleable, are considered, and this price
compared with that for which the Unite
States sell their own lands, no one ca
doubt that Justice has been done to III
Indians in these purchases also. Cerial
it is, that the transactions of the FEEDERS
4 Government with the Indians have bee
uniformly characterized by sincere an
paramount desire to promote their welfare
aud il must be q source of the highest graf
ficatlon to every friend of justice ana b'
: mainly to learn that, wiihstanding I'll
Instructions from time TO time thrown
its wy, and the difficulties which hay
arisen from the peculiar and impractical
nature of the Indian character, the WIS
humane, and undertaking policy OF Il
Government in this, the most difficult
: all our relations, foreign or domestic, h,
i at length been Justified to the world IN