Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-12-16
No 9.

4 HS OSudtC uOb p'NEN@
to ratify the treaties which had been ne
goiated with the tribes of Indians in Cal
ifornia and Oregon, our relations with
them have been left in very unsatisfac-
tory condition.
In other parts of our territory particu-
lar districts of country have been set a
part for the exclusive occupation of the
Indians, and their right to the lands with
in those limits has been acknowledged
and respected. But in California and Ore
gon there has been no recognition by the
Government of the exclusive right of the
Indians to any part of the country. They
are therefore mere tenants at sufferanee,
aud liable to be driven from place to place,
at the pleasure of the whites.
The treaties which have been rejected
proposed to remedy this evil by alloting
to the different tribes districts of country
suitable to their habits of life, and sufi-
cient for their support. This provision,
more than any other, it IS believed, led to
their rejection; and as no substitute for
it has been adopted by Congress, il has
not been deemed advisable to attempt to
enter into new treaties OF permanent
character, although no effort has been
spared by temporary arrangements to
preserve friendly relations with them.
If it be the desire of Congress to re-
move them from the country altogether,
or to assign to them particular districts
more. remote from the whites, it viii be
proper to set apart by Law the territory
which they are to occupy: and to provide
the means necessary for removing them
to it. Justice alike to our own citizens
and to the Indians requires the prompt
action of Congress on this subject.
The amendments proposed by the Sen
ate, to the treaties which were negotiated
with the Sioux Indians of Minnesota, have
been submitted to the tribes who were par
ties to them, aud have received tAeir as
sent. A large tract of valuable territory
has thus been opened for settlement and
cultivation, and all danger Of collision
with these powerful and wsrlike bands
has been happily removed.
The removal of the remnant Of the tribe
Of Seminole Indians from Florids has long
been cherished object of the Govern
ment, and it is one to which my attention
has been steadily directed. AdmoAishe3
by past experience OF the difSe1lty and
cost Of the attempt to remove them by
military force, resort has been had to
conciiiatory measures. BY The invitation
of the Commissioner OF Indian Affairs sew
eral Of the principal Chiefs recently visi-
ted Washington, and whilst here achnowl-
edged in writing the obligation of their
tribe to remove with the least possible de-
lay. Late adyices from the special agent
of the Government represent that they
adhere to their promise and that coun-
Gil of their people has been called to
make their preliminary arrangements
4 general emigration may therefore be
confidently expected at an early day.
The report from the General Land Of
fee shows increased activity in its opera
tions. The survey Of the northern boun-
dary of Iowa has been completed with
unexampled despatch. Within the last
year ,222 ,953 acres of public lands have
been surveyed, & S,032, ,463 acres brought
into market
In the last fiscal year there were
sold 1,253,O7l acres.
Located with b'ty land
warrants s,2Ol ,314
Located with other cer-
tifoates 1852
Making total of 4,s7O,O67
In addition there were
Reported under swamp
land grants 5,219,ls8
For internal Improve
ments, railroads, &C., 3,O25,92O
Making an aggregate of 13,l15,1T5
Being an increase in the amount of
lands sold and located under land war
rants of 569, ,22O acres over The previous
year.
The whole amount thus sold, located
under land warrants, reported under
swamp land grants, sold and selected for
improvements, exceeds that of
the previous year BY 3,3i2, ,372 acres; and
the sales would, without doubt, have been
much larger but for the extensive reser-
vations for railroads in Missouri, Missis-
sippi and Alabama.
For the quarter ending 30th
September, 1852, there
uera SalJ .r- 5dS Oh acroa