The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-05

In New Mexico many depredations have been
committed on the inhabitants by the warlike tribes
of Apac hes and Cdmanches, Notwithstanding their
treaty obligations to abstain from all such aggres-
sons. Hostile incursions have alec been made by
them into the territory of Mexico, and many CHI
OF that republic have been carried as captivcs
into the Indian country. The agents OF the United
| States in that quarter have used every means in
their power 10 prevent these outrages but without
success. Ii may therefore become proper to bring
| the military power OF the country in aid of the
civil authority in teaching these lawless bands to
respect the rights OF our citizens and those whom
We have engaged to protect.
The acquisition of New Mexico and California,
and the rapid expansion OF settlements in Ore
| gon and Utah, have given increased importance to
| our Indian relations, and may render a change in
our whole policy in regard TO them necessary
| Heretofore settlements being confined to the
| eastern portion Of our continent, we have been
| gradually forcing the Indian tribes westward, rs
the tide OF population flowed in that direction. b
| this means they have been accumulated in large
numbers on our western frontier. The results have
been injury to the Indians by crowding them to-
gether in such numbers that the game is INSULT
cient for their support; and injustice the western
States, whose security ID endangered by the prox-
unity Of their savage neighbors. But since the
| acquisition OF California and Oregon, and the
tabshment OF large settlements on the coast Of
the Pacific and in Utah, new flow of white
population Ia advancing upon them from the
west The pressure Is therefore increasing
upon them from both sides of the continent.
| On the north and the south they are also hemmed
III by civilized communities. They thus
comprised by an unbroken chain of civilization:
and the question forces itself upon the mind Of the
stateeman and philanthropis, what is to become of
the aboriginal race? This question must now be
fairly met. temporizing system can no longer
| be pursued. The policy of removal, EXCEPT under
| peculiar circumstances, must necessarily be aban
doned. And the only alternative left is to civilize
| or exterminate them. We must adopt one or the
| other. just, humane, and Christian people can.
| not long hesitate which to choose; and il only
| mains 10 decide upon the means necessary TO be
| adopted 10 effect tho contemplated revolution in
! the Indian character and destiny. II ID great
| work, and will require time for its accomplishment;
but IL can, and believe will be achieved. 1t must
| be commenced by substituting kindness for coer-
| cion; by feeding and clothing them, rather than
| warning upon and driving them from their terri
| tory.
| 1t cannot be denied that most of the depreda
| tions committed by the Indians on our frontiers
are the offspring OF dire necessity. The advance
OF our population compels them to relinqush their
| fertile lands and seek refuge in sterile regions,
which furnish neither corn game for their sub
| sistence. lmpelled by hunger, they seize the
Eorses mules, and cattle OF the pioneers to relieve
| their wants and satisfy the cravings of nature.
| They are Immediately pursued, and when
taken severely punished. This creates feeling
OF revenge On their part, which seeks it's gratica-
| tlon In outrages on the persons and property of
| peaceable inhabitants. The whole country then
becomes excited, and desoatng war, attended
with vast sacrifice of blood and treasure, ensues
This, ii i5 believed, ID true history of the origin
OF most OF our Indian hostilities To avoid results
like these, would respectfully recommend that
appropriations be made to buy food and clothing
TO supply their immediate wants. that they be per-
United TO retain suitable portions of their present
territory, which should be set apart for their excu
sve use and occupation that they be furnished
with implements of husbandry and domestic ami
mails, and encouraged to engage in agricultural
and pastoral pursuits, and to rely the products
OF their labor instead OF the spoils of the chase,
for the support of themselves and their families.
The great obstacle to success, which must be met
and overcome in the outset, is their nomadic mode
of life All history admonishes of the difficulty
OF civlllzIng wandering race who live mainly
upon game. To tame a savage you must tie him
down to the soil. You must make him understand
the value OF property and the benefits of its sepa
rate ownership. You must appeal to those selfish
principles implanted by Divine Providence in the
nature of man for the wisest purposes, and make
them minister to civilization and refinement
You must encourage the appropriation of lands by
individuals. Attach them TO their homes by the
ties OF interest; teach them the of agriculture
and the arts OF peace, and make them learn to sub
sttute Deel and pork and mutton as their food for
the deer and the buffalo Mildness must supplant
force. Their self respect must be stimulated, and
manual labor schools introduced among them; and
they should be taught to look forward to the day
when they may be elevated to the dignity Of
American citizenship.
BY means like these we shall soon reap our re-
ward in the suppression of Indian depredations
in the diminuIion Of the expenses of the Depart
ment OF War; in valuable addition to our pro-
ductive population in the increase of our agricul
ture and commerce.; and in the proud conscious
ness that we have removed from our national es.
cutcheon the stain left upon it by our acknow-
lodged injustice to the Indian race
10 some these suggestions may seem chmerical.
Many regard the lndlans as an inferior race and
incapable OF civilization and on this fatal error
our policy in regard TO them has been based. The
history OF Powhatan, and Logan. andCornstalk,
and Osceoia are sufficient to dsprove it. But,
were further evidence wanting, it might be found
in the archives of this Department, among the re-
cords of the interviews and discussions between
Mr.. John r. Bartlett, the commissioner engaged
in running the boundary line between the United
States and Mexico, and the chiefs OF the tribes
that frontier. In elevation of sentiment clearness
Of statement, force Of reasoning, fervor OF elo-
quence, and dgnifcd yet touching pathos these
extemporaneous illusions of the untutored sons of
the forest will bear favorable comparison with
the more studied karangues of our educated ora
tors.
The condition of the tribes residing in New York
furnishes striking illustration of what the policy
have indicated accomplish. We find them
living in the midst of a civilized community, pur-
suing the ordinary vacations OF social life cult
waiting their farms, accommodating property, edu-
eating their children, and fulfilling all the duties
of good citizens.
The Cherokccs, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and
Greeks IN the southwest, also, although more
moved from immediate contact with the whites,
under the influence of the wise and humane policy
which has been pursued towards them, gradu-
ally adopting the usaEes and industrial pursuits
OF our citizens, and begin already to exhibit Just
With these noble examples before us, We should
avail ourselves of the instruction which they afford
and lose no time in applying the same means for
the regeneration of the savage tribes of the in
terror.
The laws regulating trade and commerce with
the Indian tribes in general not being in force in
Texas, our Indian relations in that State still
tinue i'll an embarrassed condition. To enable the
Department to exercise the necessary authority
over the Indians in Texas, is indispensable that
suitable country should be set apart for their ex
elusive occupancy, where measures may be ip-
troduced for their gradual civilization and i'm
provemen
The subject of our Indian affairs in Texas has
been adverted to in the annual reports of the De-
partmcnt and those of the Indian office for several
successive years past and recommend that the
attention of Congress be again and earnestly in
vltod to it.
Judicial Expenses.
The law having devoived on the Secretary Of the
Interior a supervisory power the accounts of
shals Clerks and other officers of the courts OF
the United States, my attention has been turned to
the various acts OF Congress thht subject and the
u0ages which have grown up under them. The
first thing which attracted my notice the rapid