The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-16
Interesting Statement Concerning the Sc
Indians.


We some time since published an account Of an
important revolution that had taken place in the
Seneca Nation OF Indians, residing on the borders
Of Lake Erie, in the western part OF the State of
New York, by which their form of government
was changed into a regular representative repub-
lie, upon the model of our State Institutions. Pre-
yious TO that time, the government OF these In
dams, IN common with the other aboriginal tribes
OF America, was under chiefs who held Office for
life. The chiefs, who by this revolution were de-
pfived ofpower, Il appears, have Kept up an.organ-
ized and determined opposition TO the Cover -me nt
very abusive attack on this new government
having lately appeared in the Silver Creek Ndit, a
paper published on the borders OF the Indian settle
ment, the authorities there deemed il proper to
publish defence. These Indians have, for a num-
Der OF years. been under the of the Society Of
Friends, and have become an industrious, orderly,
and prosperous community. The defence which
we now publish demonstrates that there are
among them men OF intelligence and good rational
abilities.
Tx CorNcu, July p, 1850.
| Whereas, an article was published in the Silver
| Greek Maui on the 10Th day OF May last, calcu-
| lated TO bring the new government Of the Seneca
| nation OF Indians into dsreepect and,
| Whereas, many incorrect statements were made
| in that article by which that portion OF the public
/ who are not conversant with the affairs of the said
1 nation are grossly deceived,
| Therefore, resolved, that in order 10 undeceiye
the public, that VIM. Jemerson, Zachariah l..
/ Jimeson, and Peter Wilson, be, and hereby
/ appointed a committee 20 prepare an article for
/ publication in the Silver Creek Nal, giving such
/ information TO the public as may be deemed neces-
/ sary TO the above object.
In pursuance Of the above preamble and resolu-
/ ton, the committee have prepared the following
for publication
| [Por the Silver Greek MALL
your paper of the 10Th Of May last IL long
article the object OF which appears to be TO preju
/ dice the public mind against the present govern
/ ment OF the Seneca Nation. As the information
contained in that article can hardly be wanting in
| the neighborhoed Of Cattaraugus and Allegany,
1 40 H. 81.
l quarters, where the circumstances Of the Nation
i were not known. The people in the immediate
/ heisbboTbood have generally been aware OF the
| Res olution that has taken place among the In
dians ON the Reservation, for "this thing was not
done IN a corner" They not only know the fact,
u but the cause which led 20 it. Every one knows,
\ who knows anything about the old Indian govern
ment, that Il Is only adapted to the condition %
rude, uniettered people, and was wholly worthless
I IN state, where property is recognized and the
lands are held by individuals in severality. Every
! one knows, who knows anything about the ex-
chiefs OF the Seneca Nation, that the government
in their hands was one Of the most corrup, in the
annals Of the lroquois Confederacy. The con-
munity OF irogs, Of which dssop tells us, that
lived under King stork, vas in far better circum-
stances than the poor Senecas under their rulers,
for the Stork would only eat one at Tins, where
as the eH.ohiefs destroyed them by, Thousands
/ And now, having sacrificed twenty hundred Of
| them for a bnbe OF $4,000 or $4,000, and after
being for this and other palpable acts OF dishon-
! esty, deprived Of their power Of doing mischief,
they round and complain, as IL the security Of
their Nation was an indispensable grievance to
/ them.
The old Indian government was not govern.
| meni CT record. II had not written laws, and no
coercve power 10 enforce its |" Ter non Scrtpta."
lite chiefs were in no available way accountable to
/ the people. When they got the public funds into
/ their hands, the entitled Indians had no me ans
/ either 10 enforce a settlement, or makes the
| chiefs ditgorRe the funds In the progress Of
/ civilization and mental Improvement, the great
body OF the nation became capable Of detecting the
frauds prscuced upon them, and Of devisng means
/ to prevent them. This wac one OF the principal
causes q the revolution. The chiefs had become
corrupt, and the people had become enlightened.
| The chiefs wanted the peoples maney, and the
people wanted IL themselves There lies the great
secret 81 ell the opposition TO the new government
Were the Nation 10 submit to an agreement which
would restore to the chiefs the power 10 enter into
colusive contracts with land SPECTATORS, for the
sale Of the public domain, and to receive and en-
bezze the ennuities, az they formerly did, their
csmor would very soon cease. The power they
wish 10 REGAIN IL the power to control the nation
funds, which formerly enabled them to live in idle
ness on the property Of others. Under the ne v
government, the ex-chiefs receive their full Dor
ton Of the moneys psy able to the nation.
The government of the United States having be
come sensible Of the abuses prscticed by the chiefs
humsnely determined 70 correct the evil By
law passed on March 2, 1871, Il was provided, tina
thereafter, the snnuitirs due the Indian tribes