Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-03-04

able relocation"
they have required years. with the assistance of
nuities to be comfortably located where they now,
and where they really comfortable after years Of
residence, how long win it take them in their conts
plated homes to become even as as they are
now, when they thrown off from the influences Of CT
vilization and driven to the wilderness with but
harpies to pursue them rob them, chance may hap
penn The report continues
The arrangements necessary for their peaceful and
Portable relocation requiring time and deliberations 1t is to
be regretted that authority and for the accomplish
genc which has and which appears to require
eeedings of precpate character than should have
| been permitted to become necessary"
Sir ii seems then that this Is not to be done with
grace this robbery is to be perpetrated handsomely
Was it anticipated that there would be continued
pressure upon the Indians to render necessary
disturb them ''precpateiy? Sir, am opposed to any
disturbance of the kind particularly when national
faith is pledged against it. The Commissioner further
says:
In addition to this the preparation of large district of
that country for settlement by the removal of the Indians
would open up in desirable locality homes for the
epsng and hardy pioneers who ready occupy it, and
by their energies speedily found State the beneficial inhu
Of which, position would be of ncalcuabe ad
vantsge to the Indian well ~ the Government and people
of the United States"
How is this to be of ssncalculable advantage the
Indians when they give up their territory and have
with the proposed State removed away
from its influences? perceive how it is to be
They are to be driven from what is now comparatively
comfortable home to the wilderness and there have to
the chances of acquiring another, even tenn
porary residence for awhile only prepare themselves
TO be removed again This the only advantage which
can perceive.
But, according to the Commissioner there is
sity for any bill of this kind at this time. He says in
speaking Of the treaties which will be necessary to make
to vacate this Territory for the white peoples: s,
"These treaties cam it is believed, all be made in the
months Of April and May next and submitted to the Senate
in ample time for Congress establish civil government at
| its next session.
But this bill does propose to wait the extinguish
ment of the Indian title We forming Territory in
advance of its exnguishment, and forming it in
violation of pledge most solemnly given, that they
should be removed Here the provision OF the
treaty of 1885 with the Cherokees ,..a.y
The United hereby that the lands
to the Cherokee Nation in the foregoing article shall
in future time, without their consent be included within
thu territorial limits jurisdiction of State or Territory
1t is that the Cherokees not within the limits
the boundaries Of the Territories proposed to be organ
lied by this bill but the Senecas and Shawnees are;
and will read the provision of the treaty with them:
The lands granted by this agreement and convention to
the said band Of Senecas and Shawnees shall not be sold
ceded by hem except the United States and tho United
States guarantee that said lands shall be within the
bounds of any State Territory subject to the laws
thereof
How you can organize this Territory the face of that
solemn guarantee cannot conceive. If you run line
around hem embracing the Indians, but excluding them
by the words of the from its operation will it exclude
them from tho boundary? You may say that the law, so
far respects them, is suspended but still they arc
within the boundary, and you cannot place them out OF
it, 1t is idle to talk of making provision which IS against
Mr. President, upon this branch Of the subject have
very little hope of mpressng the minds of Senators here
with what would fain desire; but as expect to
have opportunity, probably, of addressing the Senate
again. any portion of my countrymen in relation to
the Indians hope shall find apology in every gen.
temens charitable feelings If evince unusual degree
of anxiety and zeal far beyond my custom Sir these
people are frendless. They have political influence;
they have hopes, expectations to present to the
ambitious and aspiring. They have wealth with which
to recompense their advocates and friends They have
the Establishments and the refinement of civilization
with which to win or to court public favor They are
human beings; and appeal to the venerable Sena
tor from Michigan mr. CAss,) who was Familiarity nc
quanted with all their characteristics before they became
contaminated and despoed Of their natural virtues by
white perceive, in looking the records that
not less than thryodd treaties have been made by him
with the various tribes of Indians and it is saying
little for his heart that in Of his communications in
relation to them he wrote to the Government 81 could
have obtained this land for less consideration less
less money but could in conscience deprive these
beings of their rights for the pittance for which could
be obtained"
These people yield to influence which they know is
| Irresistible Commissioners sent to make Indian
treaties but in many it should rather be said that
men sent to dictate to the Indians what they shall
do, not to learn from them what they W do You may
go through the forms Of the treaty. but in the chiefs and
the heads of the nations will step forward the rulers
of their people, the patriarchs Of their tribes they
Immediately set aside by the commissioners the agents.
and chief is got up for the occasonnducted into
position where he betray his nation and surrender
their rights This has been DONE and will not be denied
Is it fit that the Government should countenance such
proceedings? A who would be privy to or have
connexon with such transaction should have his name
erased from the records the country would disgrace
the archives Of nation. If the Indians to be
driven off, they have rights to be respected do not
make mockery of solemn treaties do not destroy and
disgrace the form Of negotiation but march your with
bayonets, and tell them you must co. There is some
thing manly in that something which could smile upon.
should think it would be glorious manifestation of
villany but it is manly than to steal. despse
man who steals in the dark
All that have stated in relation to the Indians be-
ieve be true Inaccuracies to dates and events
may have taken place in the of my remarks but
in substance the truth of my assertions in relation
to intercourse and treaties with the Indians, am
correct and the statements founded fact. can
appropriate language to my distinguished
friend from Mchgan-"f for these things have not been
done in corner"-than to say to him, in the language
of the Apostle Paul, "Belevest thou the prophets
know that thou beievest." All these predictions yet
to be verified, but they made; they record
here and that they will prove true l have no doubt.
Mr.. President cannot portray the wrongs of the In
dians. will not attempt to dot. No man is competent
to do it. The most eloquent euogum that will be
of their wrongs which be obtained, will be found
| TO fall far short of the reality.
Sir, let cast thoughts back centuries ago.
When the rsck of Plymouth Indian chief deserted
the white sail of the Mayfower approaching he fixed his
eye upon it, fancying that it spirit of the deep
coming towards him and little did he anticipate that the
wrongs of his people then commencing. We
like the serpent into the garden of Eden, insdiousy,
when danger apprehended, with suggestions Of
kindness and friendship. The white received
by the Indians, supplied with the articles which they
\ ii h,lia nj sha, a