The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-06-08

caused, if they did not directly plot, these I'M
utterable horrors. This is all that we hear OF
the war But in due time the editor of the
New Vandalia Old Driuer, late Government
sohoolmsster among the Indians, edlhes the
nation with an announcement substantially as
follows:
at is with undieguised satisfaction and un-
min gled pride and indeed with an uproarious
outburst of patriotic exultation, that we an
nounce to this brave and patriotic community,
to these who 60 in for Democratic progress and
annexation generally, and to the enlightened
friends of the imprescriptible rights of man
everywhere in particular, that the United
States Commissioners, consisting of the honor
able MIR. Tosdester Of Michigan, the honor
able Mr. Rootcmout of Illinois, and General
Cutemup of Iowa, who was 80 honorabiy distin-
guished in the late contest with the savage,
have Just concluded most advantageous trea-
ty with the chiefs and head men of our late
deadly enemies, the Kickthebuckets, whereby
three millions of acres Of their reservation have
| been surrendered to the United States.
at is a subject of upbounded rejoicing and
| heartfelt congratulation to the inhabitants Of
this Territory, as no doubt it will be to all the
patriotic citizens Of this great country, that
these most vaiuabie lands are now tIcluSiGety
ours, and the causes of hostility thus happily
| removed"
Fortunately for us, the Indian does not write
| history, but he does hand it down and it has
created such an inter distrust and so settled a
hate, that access to his soul seems to have been
long barred against us. 1t may well be that
the cause of the Indifferent success which has
attended most Of our efforts for their improve
nent hes here, and net as IS pretended, IN an
unnatural and invincible aversion 10 knowl-
edge, art, and refinement. ! will never believe
| IL = - &c
any human being, if mis- confidence is secured
and his affections won by justice and benef-
cence once knew dispenser of instruction
and charity, who was sent by the Quakers
among the New York Indians, and became
greatly beloved and respected by them. On a
visit to his white friends, unaccompanied by
his wife. he was asked if he was nos afraid to
leave her behind, during 50 long an absence
| "Nou he replied "there are six Indians In the
house with her." Gerrit Smith, that noble
friend of his kind, told me, many years ago,
that he mad Indian neighbors, who were skill
full, Industrious, and prosperous farmers; and
be esteemed them among the houestest of men.
| Their word was ga good as bond
| II would be natural that the authors of such
crimes should feel remorse so deep and cor
roding that life would become a burden, and
every bush seem q minister of justice, and that
|
the converse of men, to be hidden under the
earth which their crimes have polluted.
| Unhappily, it is far otherwise. They thrive
by crime, and often glory in it. A respectable
neighbor of mine, a returned Californian, gave
me, within few days ago, the following mar
rative: A murder and robbery was committed
within the mining grounds at Shasta. The
murderers were traced to an Indian village.
No attempt was made to ascertain the guilty
individuals, much less to investigate the cir
cumstances and the provocatlou, If any there
we're. An expedition was Immediately got up
marched to the village, and massacred indis-
cTiminately all the men, One of the party on
his return, boosted of this as his share in the
achievements of the day: He saw an old man
standing in the door of his cabin he leveled
his rifle and shot him. He fell backwards
within the hut. The assassin, having reloaded
his gun, advanced cautiously, apprehensive that
there might be other Indians, capable of de-
fence, concealed there On reaching the door
he found none but the old man, and young
girl supporting him in her arms He poked
his rifle to the old mans head and blew cut
his brains and they spattered in the girls face
Such things are continually occurring there
aud in Texas, Utah. and Oregon but they at
tract less attention and excite less interest in
this pious specializing, and slave-driving
|
and packing at Cincinnati.
observe, with grief, but without much sur.
prise that Senator of the United States, from
Iowa. has recently boosted, in his place, tina!
no has always treated Mr.. Jefersons law, &c
prevent intrusion upon Indian territory, with
contempt His words arc reported as follows
There was a law passed in Jeffer sons time
: against settling in Indian territories, and ye
he and the senior Senator from Wisconsin haC
violated It nearly one half of their lives. Hi
father had not only gone on Indian territory
but had built forts to protect the settlements
and had often loaded guns to protect them
The people of the Territories would not be CON
trolIed By such prohibitions"
9 Built forts on Indian territory to protect
the settlements ~ So the settlements were or
Indian territory, too! Aye, and it was that
and that only, which made the forts necessary
" Had often loaded gnns!" How dainty ant
diabolioal Here is an index to history. Ii
there none who is capable and willing to fur
nish ue with the volume Block HClrk is gone
and cannot eniighten US, but this singular anC
interesting avowal may be the means of throw
ing new light and new iustre upon his history
and his name.
While | was writing some general observa
tions upon our relation to the Aborigines
little expected that proof and illustration from
such source would come to my hand before
| rose from the table! It was natural tina
such person should go for oppression in gen
eral, for the violation Of compact and tit
Douglas bill. There is commune Uinculun
between the vices. That law of Jefferson wa
enacted simply to enforce treaties, into which
Washington and his successors had entered
with the Indians, with the express approba
ticn of both Houses Of Congress-treaties b,
which We had obtained immense and invalua
. BILE grants of territory OF condition of gusTan
tying to 5he grantors f0reUer the exclusive ant
uylmOLested possession and enjoyment Of tina
which they reSerUed.
The PuritanS adopting for their pattern th'
barbarous lsraeIteS, considered themselves tn
chosen and favored instruments of extermlna
ting the Canaantes Of the New World. The,
thought the heather were given for their in
hsritance. The Cavaliers thought all men, IN
GLIDING the Puritans, were given for theirs
,, Between the piety of the one and the impiet
of the other the Indians have had horri
fate. They have been ground between the W
per and the neither milestone. Both have beel
true to their preiudices, and both false to thei
,, treaties: aud perhaps Providence righteousl
designs, as the only adequate punishment tina
they shall mutually scourge each other. Ih
North now receives the lash well laid on" a
the instruction of the South by the hand OF de
serters. But John Quincy Adams, when
: was bound and gagged, muttered, "it Will no
always be CO."
The Hon. Samuel Houston, probably tn
best living authority on the subject IS report
cd to have lately declared, in pubic adde's
: at Providence, Rhode Island, that in the cours
of his lorg experience and extensive ooserVa
: ton in relation 20 Indian affairs, he had neve
: y l. AIN~x n