The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-18

recommending them to go Aud even when they were
warned and lime was taken by the iorelock by the clu
Indian territory reminded that the policy they were
pursuing would result in this creation OF depredalons
and who feared for their safety for two years before these
ouages were commenced What was the response OF the
government Why, 1T is our policy TO starve these
Indians out OF the territory they now occupy and compel
them to voluntary removal west OF the Mississippi
MIR: CASS. Will the gentleman be good enough 10
inform me where he bases the evidence Of any such
TONI
Mr., BELL have it from my decided recollection OF
that time, and think il can be found in the public docu
mens.
Mr.. CASS | merely want 10 say that al that time
had considerable share oil the responsibility OF this at
far and venture 10 say, without much reflection, that
the honorable senator will find himself mislak entha he
will lind IN the treaty itself that there express pro-
vision that the Indians shall not be compelled to emil
CRATE.
Mr.. BELL That is entirely consistent with the argn-
menl urged BY myself and the senator from Alabama, Mr.
CLEMENS II was because we permitted large number
OF reservations be aken and permitted them 10 be sold,
and the purchasers OF them 60 and occupy them before
the Indians emigraled-that the cause which pro-
daced the difficulties between the Indians and white set
tiers in the first place. Now, did not know that my
honorable friend was at the head of the War Depart
ment at that period but will say this: that though I
cannot undertake 70 affirm that tina! was the policy which
he belonged, il tcas the policy OF the executive govern
ment at that meo starve the Indians order induce
Mr. CASS Will my honorable friend allow me to in
terrupt him' This is subject that has passed many
years, and of course have only indstinct recoec
lion Of recoect, however. that made treaty, and
in doing it aided by OF the purest OF this
country ever sawa predecessor OF the senator-Hon.
Judge White. OF Tennessee--who from beginning TO
end present, and acted upon the subject The gov
eminent was pressed TO extngush the Indian title Of this
nation, and they wished the Indians to go; and every
who knows the condition of these Indians knows
that they must have gone. But they unwilling, and
they would only make the necessary cession saving to
just such reservations they chose take
The external pressure upon the government was immense
to have that country opened 10 settlers You could not
sweep away the Indians Them what else could
be done You could only get portion to give up their
reservations and allow the Indians to make other
ervalions. That the only removal left within the
power of the government and that is precisely what
DONE
Mr. CLEMENS wish to state that. as made the
statement the honorable senator from Tennessee
Mr. BELL has made in relation 10 this starving the tn
dams into submission, will now give the honorable
aor from Michigan Mr. CAssl the authority upon which
made that statement.
find the following in the memorial of the legislature
OF Alabama Mr.. Balch, the government commissioner
appointed by the President 10 investigate the causes
which led to the Indian hostites in 1885, reported that
in the latter part OF the year 1884 the Creeks suffered for
want of food that in 1885 they reduced state
little short OF sarvaon but he said sit not the
policy OF the government supply them with food, as
this act Of beneyoence would have retarded emigration
Mr. CASS. Will the honorable senator allow me to
ask him when that report Of Mr. Balch was sent in
Mr. CLEMENS The memorial refers to executive
document I'd session OF the oath Congress, No. l54,
page 1877"
Mr. CASS But what is the date OF il
Mr.. CLEMENS do not have the date. believe
the honorable senator from Tennessee Mr. BELLl hasit
Mr. CASS, Will the honorable senator from Tennes-
ses BEI Five ns aa sa have i on. Of the
Iwenlyhfth Congress but suppose they the
have not the date Of Mr.. Balch's report,
Mr. CASS. Will the honorable senator allow me to
say little more upon this subject'
Mr. BELL. Does the honorable senator wish me to
yield the floor TO him D
Mr. CAsS. But for few moments, to make little
n e ek s.ss s ss thai s,s. s !. h. reason
right 10 say. II after my time, and | am not re-
sponsbs for it. Bat at no lime bad be any authority TO
give that as reasonlo that the government of the
United States desired 10 sarve these Indians with view
10 compel Them To emigrate.
Mr.. BELL Not to starve them but to refuse TO give
them supplies OF food.
Mr. CASS. Will the honorable senator allow me TO
say that have had opportunities during portion Of my
life 10 learn great deal OF these Indians know that
IN the northern portion OF the Union not winter passes
by but very considerable number OF Indians die OF
starvation Now, il will never do for this government
10 adopt the principle that you must support all these Ia
dams IN order TO keep them from want Their charac
ter IS such that 1t would actually seem that they do not
know that o.moIrow will bring forth its duties and it
Is no impuaiion upon the humanity of any admnisra-
ton that they do no, establish posts throughout the
try and ask every starving Indian TO there and be
supported II they were 10 do so, there would be end
to such system IL deeply TO be regretted that this
state Of things should be so; The question is what
remedy is, then, 10 be applied Certainly not the
have just named FORT would do no good. But, in
gard TO Mr. Balch, repeat that he had the slight.
est authority 10 make any such denuncaiion OF the
American government and the policy OF that government
repeat again that Il after my time, and am not
sponsble for IT, But will dsavow that any such policy
has been pursued by the government
MIR. BELL. think the honorable gentleman is trying
TO escape from the point in relation the validity Of this
claim.
MIR. CASS. have not word TO say about that.
Mr.. BELL Ba, he is trying 10 escape from the point
which urged, that under the general policy oil this
government-which is generally liberal and humane to
these peoplehey did not give them sufficient supplies
and alter il warned OF the consequences which
would follow from not supplying these Indians with
provisions TO some extent and that unless adequate
military force stationed in that country evils
would result, they failed TO do Now, the gentleman
may draw what conclusion in regard TO the rncple OF
policy and want oil humanity from that that he chooses
The fact upon which rely for This claim is that the
government was forewarned believe that there il au-
lhorly better than that-the authority OF Commissioner
Bach upon this subject think that by referring the
document referred to. will be found that such is the
report and ii not dissvowed by the government
the time This Is sustained by their refusal TO furnish
supplies TO station adequate military force in III
country. Now, what escape is there from that
The honorable senator says that treaty made. in
which we had reserve OF power TO coerce these In
dams IL the policy OF the government 10 get the
Indians out of the country and they made the best treaty
they could under the circumstances and one provision
OF that treaty allowed great number OF Indian
lions TO be made which 10 be Sold under regulations
to be prescribed by the governments but they retained no
power to coerce the removal OF the Indians Now, from
1880 TO 1854, the time these reservations made, set
Elements were taking place, and the settlers very soon
perceived what be the consequences unless the In
dams removed and when they found that the com