The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1852-01-17
POLICY OF THE EGOyERNMENTINR REGARD
TO HE INDIANS.

IHc SUoiCct Vi uuI Teicll0nS VIII the
Indians is presented in most interesting
light, by the Secretary Of the Interior.
And the difficulties attending this matter,
and the new polic~proposea by Him, as
the general policy mosslikely 10 promote
their welfare, renders this portion Of his
Report specially worthy the attention Of
every American citizen. We, therefore,
give his views at length.
l. The Report of-the Comme sioner Of
!ndiap Aa1irs wiz furnish iil!>end pre-
else information in regard to the present
condition Of all the various tribes within
our borders, and the nature OF our cx-
isting relations with each Of them.
I 1t will be seen that the tribes resident
in New York, and in the country west Of
Arkansas, are living under governments
established by themselves, and making
gradual advances in agriculture and all
| the pursuits of civilized life. Those set
tied in the Northwest are also beginning
to assume the habits and occupations OF
the whites, and are living as pcaccable
citizens on their own territory. They
have thus acquired the eoo Twill Of their
neighbors and in some instances, where,
by the terms Of their treaties with the
United States, they are liable to be re-
moved, at the will Of the President, from
their present abodes. petitions, numer-
ously signed by white persons resident il
their immediate vicinity, have been pre-
sentcd, praying that they may he allowed
to remain. Under these circumstances,
humanity and sound policy alike require
a compliance with the wishes Of the PC
tiiioners and therefore cordially con-
cur in the recommendation OF the Com
missioner to that effect.
Treaties have been negotiated with
some Of the trites Of tie Northwest, on
terms mutually advantageous to the con-
tracting parties, by which their title has
been cx,ingui>hcd 10 large dominion in
Minnesota, covering an area as extensive
as the State of New York, and wei
adapted to the purposes Of agriculture.
Treaties have also, it is believed, been
negotiated with many of the tribes resi-
dent in New Mexico, California, Oregon
and the country west Of the Missouri -
But as they have not yet been received,
no definite information can now be given
as to the precise character Of their stpu-
lations.
Ia New Mexico many dcprcda;ions
have been committed on the inhabitants
by tie warlkc tribes Of Apachcs and
Camanchcs, Notwithstanding their treaty
obligations to abstain from all such ag-
gressions. Hostile incursions have ais @
been made by them into the territory oi
Mexico, and many citizens OF that Re-
public have been carried as captiycs into
lhc Indian country. Tie agents Of the
United States in that quarter have used
every means in their power to prevent
these outrages: but without success. Ii
may, therefore, become proper TO bring
Tic military power Of the country in aid
OF the civil authority in teaching these
lawless bands to respect the rights Of
our citizens and these whom we have cl-
gagel TO protect.
! The acquisition Of New Mexico and
California, and the rapid expansion OF our
settlements in Oregon and Utah, have
given Increased importance TO our Indian
relations, and may render change in on.
policy in regard TO them ncccssarv.-
Heretofore, cur settlements being con!in-
cd to the eastern portion OF our CONT
nent, We have been gradually forcing the
Indian tribes westward, 2s the tide OF
population flowed in that direction. BY
this means they have accumulated in large
! numbers Oh our western frontier. The
results have been injury 70 the Indians
by crowding them together in such num-
bers that the game is insufficient for their
support; and injustice TO the Western
States, whose security is endangered by
the proximity Of their savage ncighbOrs.
But since the acquisition Of California
and Oregon and the establishment Of large
| settlements on the coaSt of the Pacific
and in Utah, new flow Of white popu-
iation is advancing upon them from the
West. The pressure is therefore in
crcaslng upon them trom both sides OF
the continent. On the north and the
south they are also hcmmcd in BY civiliz-
ed communities. They are tauS cncom-
passed by an unbroken chain cf civiliza-
ton, and the. question forces itself upon
the mind Of the statesman and philanthro-
pist, what is TO become OF the aboriginal
race? This question must now be fairly
met. a temporizing system can no Ion
ger be pursued. The policy Of removal
except under peculiar circumstances,
must necessarily be abandoned. And
the only alternative left is to civilizc or
exterminatc them. We must adopt the
one or the other. a just, humane and
christian people cannot long hesitate
which to choose; and it only remains to
decide upon the means necessary to be
adopted TO effect the contemplated rcvo-
luton in the Indian character and destiny
1t is great work, and will require time
for its accomplishment; but ii can, and
/ holi,yo will a., ,.b;ayoI II ,,,.t u,