Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-05-07
WASHINGTON, February Is, l741.

boSo IL no SIlON H<i5 lOt bttii
in his duties? More anon.
WASHINGTON, February Is, l74l.
S,R:-I beg leave, respectfully, but most
earnestly, to invite your early consideration to
a subject of very great importance TO the peo-
| pie OF Iowa-ihat of making treaty with the
| confederated tribes of Sac and Fox Indians, as
also the Winuebagoes, for their lands in that
| Territory, and for their removal west of the
Missouri river. Just regard to the welfare
and prosperity OF that Territory, and in my
! opinion, Of the Indians themselves. as well as
| the interests of the general government, equal
| y require the early consummation of such a
measure.
The Indians occupy large extent Of valua-
bic and desirable land IN the heart of the Ter
rltory, and as long as they remain must neces-
sarly retard Its progress IN settlement and civ
| llzatlon. The country around that occupied
by the Indians Is rapidly filling up, and they
are now beginning 10 suffer those evils arising
from the pressure of white population upon
them, and from an intercourse with that popu-
| latlon, which as shown by the whole history
| OF our intercourse with the aborigines of our
| country. have been the principal cause Of their
rapid degeneration and decay. The policy Of
keeping the Indians as far IS possible OUT Of
the reach of these evils, as measure Of nd
manity, is too clearly established 10 need any
comment from me. lin my opinion the time
has arrived for aeting upon this policy towards
line Sacs and Foxes a. we'll as the Winneba-
goes. Their removal West and South of the
Missouri would also be advancing the policy
of concentrating the different Indian tribes
together for the purposes of civilization and
improvement, Ind in order that our relations
with them may be copducted with the least
cost - the government and most advantage to
themselves. Undehihese circumstances, /
beg leave, sir, to Apon YOU the necessity
OF taking immediate rot asures for negotiating
such treaty with 1hyse Indians.
Entertaining the Hope that you will concur,
with me in the propfety Of the measure, brg
leave farther to express my unqualified opin,
ion that negotiations VIII the tribes of Indi.
ans before named, would be attended with
much more certainty and economy by avoiding
publicity, than by asking first for an appropri.
alton for the purpose. Such an appropriation
would warn the persons interested in keeping
the Indians where they are, and give them the
opportunity Of combining to couateract the 3ez
iorts OF the government. This would assured
y be done, aud greatly lessen the chances of
success, while it would much augment the ex-
Pehse' ne proprlety OF this course is fully
demonstrated, as you are doubtless aware, in
me e, instance Of the treaty lately made by Gen.
Miiroy with the Indians in Indiana. By not
making his operations public he was enabled
10 make an advantageous treaty with those In
dams, wflch, for some time, so long as the
negociatlona with them We're public, those
whose interests would be affected by their re-
moval succeeded in preventing.
In conclusion, permit me to remark that
compliance on your part with this request and
successful termination Of the proposed nego-
tiatlon (of which, ifprudently conducted, do
not entertain doubt,) will not only confer
great! and lasting benefit upon the young and
hourlshlng Territory of Iowa, but upon the
whole people OF the United States. Do, then,
pray you, sir, direct the treaty 10 be holden