The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-12-05

high PrerogaiIVe OF equality, by persistence in
an invidious discrimination. is practically denied
them. They do not complain Of The pecuniary
burden which they are made to bear, but that
its imposition substantially proclaims them as
in the enjoyment of benefit, obtained gene.
rally without full costs, and in many instances,
unworthily, If notsfraudulently. II may safely.
be affirmed, that four ifihs of the farmers are ia
possession of their estates by purchase for an
ample consideration. For large proportion Of
their possessions, the real worth was paid be-
fore The existence of the treaty. The number
who hold by Inheritance, and who morally, If
not legally, should be considered as purchasers,
is comparatively very limited. In despite then,
Of this decided evidence of right. ownership, the
Legislature has subjected all the proprietofs to
an annual charge upon their lands, which I
hold to be unequal and unjust, and probably
unconstitutional: unequal, in reference to rent
and taxes; unjust, because poor land pays more
than The rich; Unconstitutional, for the reason
that it annuls written contracts.
If the public.spirited and industrious citizen
who now halls from that interesting division Of
South Carolina, had been prevented by conside-
rations of insecurity of title from constituting il
bis home, the result would have been loss TO
the State of over three thousand farmers, all the
advantages flowing from their agricultural en-
terprize, the labor Of large black population.
and very considerable revenue derived from
the tax on slaves. 10 constraip him therefore
to remain in his present unsatisfactory situation,
would be manifestly inexpedient and impolitic.
Barriers which create avoidable distinctions,
oopocfoIl Ilu IN ro1afion IN n;orv hryrdn
ought not to be allowed in republic; but il,
from any cause, permitted, they should exist
only so long as the public interests imperiously
demand. At this period too OF difficulty and
alarm, we should rgidy abstain from the en-
forcement Of any measure that by possibility
might interrupt the current of harmonious feel,
ing which now SO happily pervades our borders.
The difference between half cent per acre
and the tax that would be levied, if the lands
were assessed in the ordinary way, is too small
to warrant the exercise by the Legislature of a
questionable power. Virtually, equality in the
payment Of the State taxes would not remove
the lien on the possessions of the proprietor,
but by diminishing the yearly rate, only extend
the period of reimbursement Of the debit for
which his lands by statute are pledged.
Influenced by these views, | recommend that
the bonds, given in pursuance OF the require.
menls of the act of '35, in number 25, and
amounting in the aggregate TO 1925 "a, in.
terest and principal, be cancelled; that the
lands within the late Catawba territory be clas.
sifed and valued, with view TO the payment
of taxes by their owners; and that the Stale
discharge the remainder of the debt due the
Indians from the public treasury.
By treaty of 1910, South Carolina agreed to
expend five thousand dollars for the purchase of
land in Haywood county, or in a mountainous
or thinly settled country; TO pay tor the outlay
of the Indians two thousand five hundred dbl.
lars; and afterwards fifteen hundred dollars an.
nually. A true construction of this clause of
the "agreement," perhaps warrants the con.
clusion that, whether or not the emigration of
the tribe should take place, the State was bound
to pay the respective amounts, and at the peri.
ods specified. So far is this from having been
done that, from the repor, Of the commissioners
only an amount of nine thousand Two hundred
dollars of the debt that was 10 be liquidated IN
1851, has been cancelled. 1t is TO be inferred
from the evidence adduced, that many OF the
Indians in North Carolina have received either
no part. or legally an insufficient, portion of their
unnnity and with regard to the majority, that
its apporlonment has been made at times IRE.
gularly, and without reference 10 any establish.
ed rule. For this result ] acquit the agent OF
all censure. In the prosecution Of his response.
BILE engagements, believe hun TO have Prac.
,iced all proper zeal and fidelity.
IL how, ham
piled with by South Carolina, how and when
the remainder of the debt, Sll,eO0 is to he
paid, is question for Legislative decision. In
aid of your labors on this subject, desire 10
bring a few facts to your notice. The present
Indian farm, within the old Catawba boundary,
was purchased for $4,000. Only one family of
six persons-a mother and her young children,
reside upon it; of the other members OF the
tribe in this State, forty.eight lead wandering
life ; and fhy.eight are in North Carolina.--
Strong efforts have long been persoreringy hut
frui,lessly used to induce those who form part
of our population to live on their own land.-
The report of MIR. Massey shows that the Ca.
,awbas in Haywood are dissatisfied with their
condition that many design returning to South
Carolina; and that, after due deliberation, their
chiefs or head men, in both States, had notified
him of their willingness to emigrate and unite
with the Chickasaws, as soon as the means OF
removal shall he put at their disposal. In the
act of Congress making provision for the cur
rent and contingent expenses of the Indian De-
par,ment, passed July, ls4s, it appears that
the sum of $4,000 has been appropriated for
the removal of the Catawba tribe Of Indians
now in the limits OF North Carolina. As this
grant was obtained, it is believed. through the
instrumentality ofMr. Thomas the Indian agent
of that State, the reason why the act does not
apply to South Carolina is apparent.
When the deb, Of twenty. thousand dol
lars shall be discharged, our obligation TO minis