New-York daily tribune., 1845-12-24
The Indian Race.

The respect due to the character OF the venerable
writer of the following Letter and 10 his long expe-
riencc as Indian Agent, less than the JUS; and
truly philau,hropic spirit which breathes and gows
throughout his Letter induces TO bring il as con-
spcuously as We can TO The notice of our readers:
National Intel.
PIeUA lOhio) December {. lsi5
Messrs. GGlcs s. SeGton: In the lntelgencer OF
the goth November under the editorial head wish
is expressed that some competent person would al
this time furnish the public with series OF inssrac
i've articles on Indian Affairs Without claiming
much qualification in matters Of The kind, propose
giving in one brief view. the result OF more than
thirty years experience, spent among the Indians
of the North west
think il may be affirmed, wi,hou: the fear of con-
tradic,on, that, from The first planting OF the Eng
lish power on this continent 10 the present moment
no permanent plan has ever been adopted or even
proposed BY authority for the preservation OF the
Indian race All the measures OF The Colonial Gov
ernments we'll as that OF the Uni'ed states wncn
has by the Federal Constitution exclusive jurisdic-
ton of the uat;er) appear to have had solely in
view the acquisition OF the lands and homes OF the
Natives and removing farther West out OF our way,
the owners thereof No one seems once 10 have
thought that perpetual right and interest IN tne
soil. with the advantages OF government was lrdis-
pensabe 10 the civilization and preservation OF this
race as well as every other race Of men upon the
earth The want OF these two things have been the
prominent cause Of the ruin aud destruction OF the
Indians and the absence OF government and OF
such right in the soil is possessed by our own
citizens will continue, il has done, TO work out
their destruction unit; there will not be of them
left
Let Congress give the Indians government
adapted TO their condition and, my life for it, the
boon will not be lost them; they will take care
of themselves. Here Is plan-it is simple, and will
not be expensive
Territorial Government exclusively for Indians and
Indian affairs to be established Southwest of Missouri
Governor appointed by the President and Senate q
Council TO be composed the Indian Agents mot sub
agents. for the tune being Representative branch all
the members of which TO be OF Indian blood and elected
annually By the different tribes in proportion to popula
ton each Delegate be paid by the United States so
many dollars per day for every days attendance and the
same allowance for every thirty miles travel going TO
and returning from the seat Of Government believe
central spot has been already designated Tor the pur
pose Delegate in Congress would obviously follow as
g part of the systeml
This embraces the outlines the details could be
easily filed up
If it is intended that the race Of the red man should
be saved something of the kind here suggested must
be adopted. They have nearly all been removed
West at our bidding and for our benefit In the
country assigned TO them they should be let alone,
and no more attempts made purchase their lands.
Honest faithful and capable agents, and other public
servants among them, should not be removed. The
practice of removal of such officers for any other
cause than crime or incompetency, would necessa'
rily be fatal any plaE for betterng the condition
of the Indians. None should be appointed TO any
trust among them but men Of the purest characters
in morals capacity and industry; and all such should
be compelled to reside habitually among the tribes
of their charge For farmers and instructors in the
domestic arts. would, from long experience. pre-
fer persons from the Society of Friends, on account
of their sobrety, industry aud regular orderly hao
onJ bacous,. tho Indians have more confidence
in them than in any other class Of our people.
The present long session of Congress appears to
be the proper time to begin this work; The public
mind is evidently prepared for H. and the Indians
are at this time represented at Washington by in
tegent and respectable delegations OF their own
people.
We owe the Indians much by way of atonement
for the manifold evils visited upon them by our race
and awful will be our responsibility nation be-
fore God and man. ii they permitted TO perish by
by our avarice, parsmony, or neglect OF duty
John JOHNSTON