The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-14
ARKANSAS,

AE&kAANSASs
The Little Rock Gazette of the IIth uldmo,
brings us the annual message of Gov. YELL.
The Governor regrets a deficiency in the
public revenue, which can be supplied only by
increasing taxes or diminishing expenditures.
We quote from the message two passages
of interest, in reference to a direct trade be-
tween Arkansas and Chihuahua and Santa Fe,
and to the exposed condition of the Western
Frontier:
Suffer me to call to your consideration the
Importance of opening trade direct from Ar
kansas with ChIchuahua and Santa Fe, so i'm
portant to our enterprizing traders, and so bsne-
fetal to the State in general. To enable eur
own citizens to compete with commercial enter
prize, we must procure modification OF the re-
venue laws in relation to 'Edrawbacks and de-
bentures," so as to allow the exports by land the
same debenture now allowed to exports by sea,
which congress should not hesitate to grant, the
manufacturing States should not object, as a
large portion of the goods consumed in those Pro-
viuces of Mexico are of cotton fabrics, and the
American goods always preferred. The advan-
tages of the outfit, and the return of the bullion
for the sale of our exports, would be OF lncalcu-
BILE benefit to our citizens, which will continue
to increase in proportion to the Mexican demand,
and the protection given to our trade. memo
rial to congress upon the subject will meet my
decided appreciation
1t is with deep concern that necessity is felt
of pressing upon the general government the
considerations that are due to its character for
good faith, in afording that protection to the
State of Arkansas, which is due to her as mem
Der of this confederacy, and from the implied
obligation on her part that the peace and quiet OF
the frontier settlements should not be disturbed
or endangered by the policy of her placing upon
our western borders tribes of Indians, whose
feelings towards the government are, to say the
least of it, not of the most pacific character.
The past history of the Indian character, in
every age, is a sufficient warning to induce us
to call upon the iberality and justice OF the gem
eral government, to commence, without delay,
such system Of ratification and defence as is
commensurate with the protection due from the
government to the citizens of a sovereign State,
and without which we are every moment at the
mercy of reckless and rapacious tribes, who are
only restrained from policy or fear Let one
drop Of innocent blood flow from the veins OF a
citizen of Arkansas, and state OF disorder and
violence would universally prevail, equally UNI
fortunate to the Indians and ourselves, and would
finally result in the destruction removal oil
those savage tribes beyond the Rocky Noun
tains. I confess | view, with no little appre-
hension and distrust, some of our border tribes,
whose movements shall guard with vigilance,
and whenever a proper occasion shall require a
prompt and warlike movement, shall not wait
the tardy and reluctant interpostion of the gen
eral government, but will repel the injury by the
patriotism of our own troops, as becomes one OF
the sovereign States of this coniederacy.
The exposed condition of our frontier has not
only disturbed the repose of our citizens, but ii
has greatly initiated against the improvement
and prosperity of the county. Our fertile TO-
rests and beautiful prairies are unoccupied by
the honest and industrious emigrants who would
become citizens, and add strength and respecta'
bility to our State and are we so tame and sub
missive, with all these facts before US, to folc
our arms and wait the slow and uncertain move
ments of the Federal Government, without {
murmur or complaint Shall we content our
selves with the skeleton of one or two regi
ments only from the Missouri river to the GuI
of Mexico, while we have army OF 12,OO'
troops' Are your citizens protected with onl!
one or two military posts on the Indian bounda
nv from Missouri to Red River? If SO, it is il
the peaceful character of the Indians, and not il
the military defence offered by the General Go
vernment. 1t is a duty we owe to our citizens
a right we claim as member of this confedera
cy, to call upon the proper departments of tn
General Government, in a spirit and tone tina
| will not be misunderstood, for that protectio
due to our people, as citizens of this Union, l
accordance with the spirit Of the Constitute
and her plighted faith to us, and her treat
stipulations with the Indians.