Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-02-25
THE SENECA INDIANS.
A TALE OF swINDLING.

The lands of these Indians in the western
part OF N. Iork amount 10 about 10000
acres, and are supposed to be worth at least
two millions of dollars. The Ogden Land
Company hold the exclusive right of pur-
chase, and are therefore deeply interested in
their removal. The Green Bay maneuvere
had failed, the Seneca's preferred to remain
on their own lands. A new project was hit
upon, and the General Government called in
to aid 1t forward. A new treaty was got up,
which provided that the General Government
should give them 800, 900 acres of land west
OF the Missouri, and $400,0 in cash. The
Ogden Land Company were to give them
S2O2,OOO more. BY this bargain the Land
Company We're to get 81, 100000 worth of
land tor 5000 900 and the u. S. were to have
the naked satisfaction of carrying out their
gigantic plan for the removal of the Indians
to the west. This was about as profitable a
scheme of speculation as could we'll be desir-
ed, and about as foolish an act on the part of
the General Government as it could well per
petrate.
But the Indians still declined emipratine
ana IL became necessary to extend peculiar
advantages to some for the sake of securing
their influence with the rest. Eight chiefs
were selected for this purpose, who were to
receive from the company each sS21 600 in
cash, and the liberty of remaining themselves
on their lands, only they must sign a treaty
which would compel others to cmigrate, and
must use all their influence TO have it brought
about with as little disturbance as possible;
and especially keep their own bribe, and tho
fact that they were going to remain them
selves profound secret! A few of the
chiefs were induced to come into this iniqui.
tons compact, and signed deed of sale COW
, erlng all the lands of the Senecas, and a re-
ceiPt for 100000 for the same, from the
Land Company, although it does not appear
that the money was really paid.
This bargain and sale treaty was sent to
Washington, and protest from the other
chiefs, stating the whole to have been consum-
mated by fraud followed it. The treaty was
rejected by the Senate and so remodelled as
| TO require more ample consent on the part
! OF the Senecas. Thus amended, it was ta-
ken again by the Agent of the Land Compa-
ny to the Indians for their signature. coun-
Gil was called, and the result was that while
sixteen, chiefs wrought upon by one mNu-
ence and another, signed it, siniy- four 9th or
chiefs signed protest against the whole pro-
ceedmg. Thus ended the council.
The agent now takes quarters at tavern,
and invites the chiefs in as he chances to meet
them to take glass of grog; that glass is
followed by another and that by another still
) dian TO the treaty follows the whole. Under
these influences and the power of brides, fif
teen more signatures are procured at the tav
ern. With these thirty-one signatures the
treaty is sent to Washington. But it is re
turned, and the agent is informed it must be
signed by mojority of the chiefs, there be
ing in the whole eighty. The tavern is a
gain opened, and by brides and intoxicatioi
ten more are procured. To procure three O
them the agent, with the great parchment an
seal OF the Land Company, creates thre
chiefs himself. Quite convenient process
: With these forly-one signatures of chief,
S three of whom arc elected for the purpos,
eight of whom are to receive S2l 500 each q
$ a bride, most of the rest in state of hilarit
and intoxication, the treaty is again sent
: Washington.
j. The Scnecas employ lawyer to 20