The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-11-21

| lOuCHlUS TIC HuoL IlOilllucut POi"tSi iol
the future consideration and action of the
Society of Friends, on behalf Of the abort
gines of our land.
During our visit among the Indians
many circumstances were apparent, which
in our opinion tended to prevent their adj
vancement in civilization, and 10 retard
their moral and religious improvement
We are aware that much labor and pro-
perty are expended yearly on their ac-
count, and yet it is sad 10 relate, that these
poor benighted and almost frendless be-
ings, are daily diminishing in numbers,
and in many instances, sinking deeper and
deeper in misery and wo. There are but
few 10 look into their wants, or 10 raise a
voice against the maIpractices of the nu-
merous unprincipled white men who in
fest their country, in order TO obtain the
money annually paid to them, and at The
same time are practising the most degrad.
ing and immoral conduct.
Ii the hand o! the destroyer is moi speed.
lily arrested, in all human probability, it
will be but few years before this once
numerous race will be numbered with the
nations that are not. Nearly all the tribes
are decreasing yearly, and some OF them
at the rapid rate of from twelve 10 twenty
per cent. The prefent condition of the
! elder part of the uncivilized tribes is SUCH
having long been prey to unprincipied
white men, that we cannot look for much
change for the better in many of them
yet in beholdiog the younger men and wo,
men and the little children who appear to
be endowed with talents for Improvement
equal TO the whites, we were encouraged
TO look forward with hope of better days
for thispoor degraded and almost friendess
people, if the christian community should
without delay use their influence to re.
move the prominent obstacles now in the |
way of their civilization.
We would remark in the first place,
that the Indians who have been removed
from the east to the west side OF the Miss |
slssIppl river, appear to be in an unsettled |
state, and entertain fears of being again
removed. They say they have as yet re-
ceived no guarantee from government that
they shall remain on these lands any long
er than it may suit the convenience OF the
whites; and some of them are DESTROYS
that Friends and others interested in their
welfare, should use their influence to have
their lands secured to them In fee simple
forever, that their fears on this account
may be quoted, and they encouraged to
lay up something for themselves and their
children.
In the next place, nearly all the tribes
nave annultles paid them in goods OF mon
Py, quite Sufficient in mos cases TO make
hem comfortable during the year, if right
y applied. Each tribe receives all their
money at one payment, and this money D.,
passes from them in few days, & in mes.
instances the poor ignorant Indian has
nothing of value TO show for it. but is in {
act made more miserable on account Of its +
nisn pplication. ,
We would suggest the proprie.y of en- @
leavoring to bring about a change in the
manner injwhich these payments are made
% as to place their money, if possible, out
u the reach of avaricious and unprinci-
lied men. We are aware that TO effectl
uch a change might be attended with diff
icu!ies, but the good that would arise TO /
he Indians would warrant some sacrifice
effect so desirable an object. The In>
Ians IN their present state are very i'm
rovldent, and in most cases incapable OF =
managing their affairs and expendlng their
money to advantage. We would not hold =,
ut TO the public that thew are receiving !,
nore than their due, but inasmuch as the y
government consider them as their wards,
hey should extend their guardianship still d
urther, and not leave them as much ex> :,
osed as they now are. :,
The Indians appear not in general to d.
e governed by mora or religious princi. 9,
les, and every means is used TO place be. s.
're them such things as will enlice their
ppeInes and passions, and having little TO
eslrain them, they fall an easy prey to
emptaton, and the work of destruction
oes on while they are possessed of anv
ing that is valuable or have any credit (
1T. We consider their anLuties iustlydue c
lem, and would be far from proposing a,
y thing hat would divert them from being
sed Tor their benefit, but we believe it TO
very desirable that more effectua meas. i,
res be adopted 10 have them dlsbursed in IT,
manner that will tend as far as is pract
able, 10 the real advantage of the POOR a,
adams. Another great source ofimmor in
lily and misery is their near location to
le military posts. While the ostensibIe
beet OF these notifications is TO guard the =
adams on the frontier from being harmed d
Y the wild tribes, and 10 prevent hostili>
es between them and the frontier settlers 4
!e lIcentlousness hence resulting in MANY
the tribes is too gross to be mentioned;
e effect OF which is, to destoy the morals n
many of the whites,a 10 entail wretch. i
1ness, misery and death on the lndanst. m
In regard to their farming operations,