The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1852-01-17


They are Immediately pursued, and when
oser'aken severely punished. This Gre
ates feeling of revenge On their part,
which seeks Its qualification in outrages
on the persons and property of peaccable
inhabitants. The whole country then
becomes excited, and a desola,ing war.
attended with vast sacrifice OF blood
and treasure Immediately ensues. This,
1t is believed, is a true history of the
origin Of most OF our Indian hoStilities.
To avoid results like these, | would re-
spect!llly recommenddhat appropriations
be made to buy food and clothing TO sup
ply their immediate wants that they be
permitted 10 retain suitable portions Of
their present territory, which should be
set apart for their exclusive Use and occu-
! patton; that they be Furnished with im-
plemen.s OF husbandIy and domestic ami
mails, and encouraged to engage in asfi-
cultural and pastora! pursuits, and to rely
Oh the products CT their labor, instead Of
the spoiIs Of the chase, for the support Of
themselves and families.
The great obstacle to success, which
must be met and overcome in the outset,
is the nomaaic mode Of lie. III history
admonishes Us OF the difficulty Of c:vilizing
wandering race who live mainly upon
game. TO tame a savage YOU must tie
him down to the soil. Yoa must make
him understand the value OF property and
the benefits Of its separate ownership.--
You must appealto those selfish princi-
plies implanted by Divine Providence in
the nature Of man for the wiscst purposes,
and make them minister to civilization
ard refinement. Ycu must cncoura, Il c
appropriation Of lands by indivilua IS
Attach them 10 their homes by tic tics
of interest; teach them the uses OK agri-
culture and the arts Of peace, and make
them learn to substitute beef and pork
and mutton as their food for the deer nd
buffalo. Mildness must suppiant force.
Their sclf-rcspcct must be stimulated.
and manual labor introduced among them;
and they should be taught 10 look forward
TO thc day when they may be elevated 10
the dignity Of American citizenship.
By means Ike these we shall soon reap
our reward in the suppression Of Indian
depredations in the dminution of the
expenses Of the Department Of War; III
q valuable addition TO our productive pop
ulation in the increase OF our agriculture
and commerce, and in the proud concious-
ness that we have removed from our ia
tional escuchcon the stain left upon it By
eur acknowledged injustice to the Indian
race.
To some, these suggestions may seem
cllimerical. Many regard the indians as
IN inferior race and incapable OF civiiza-
ton and on Ills fatal error our policy
il, regard to them has been based. The
history of Powha.tan and Logan ard Corn
stalk and Oceo!a are sufficient to dlsprovc
il. But. were further evidence wanting
it might be found in the archives of this
i Department, among the records OF tie
interviews and discussions OF Mr.. john
Il. Bartlett, the commissioner engaged in
running the boundary line between the
United States and Mexico, and Tie chiefs
Of Tie tribes on that frontier. In clcva-
ton o.! sentiment, c'c?rncss Of statement,
force Of reasoning, icrvor Of e.oouence
and dignitiei yet teaching pathos. these
cx:cmporaneous eiiuSioms OF the untutorcd
sons ol' the forest will bear favorable
comparison with the mere studied har-
rngucs of our educated oratcrs.
The condition of the tribes residing in
New York furnishes striking i!lustra-
ton Of what the policy have indicated
can accomplish. We find Them living III
the midst Of civilized community, pur-
suing the ordira ary vocations Ct social Ii c,
cu!tiva,ing their farms, accumuating
property, educating their children, and
fulfilling all the duties of good citizens.
The Cllerokces, Chickasaws, Choctaws
and Creeks, in the southwest, also,t hough
more removed from Immediate contact
with the whites, under the influence o.
the wise and humane policy which has
been pursued towards them, arc gradually
adopting the usages and industrial pur-
suits OF our citizens, and begin already y
to exhibit just appreciation O.! the prin-
c;plcs Of civi! liberty. With these noble
examples before us, we should avail our
selves of the instruction which they at
ford, and lose 10 time in applying the
same means for the Regeneration oil the
savage tribes Of the interior.
The laws regulating trade and commerce
with the Indian tribes in general not be-
ing in force in Texas, our lnian relations
! in that State will continue in an cmbar-
rasscd condition. To enable the depart
ment to exercise the necessary authority
over the Indians in Texas it is indispeu-
sable that suitable country should be
set apart for their exclusive occupancy,
whcfe measures may be introduced for
their gradual civilization and improve
! ment.
The subject of our Indian affairs in Tex
as has been advcrtcd to i'll the annual re-
ports Of the Department and those Of Tic
Indian office for several successive years
! past, and | recommend that the attention
Of Congress be again and eaenestly invi-
tod tn If