Kansas weekly herald., 1855-02-09
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At meeting of the settlers on Delaware lands,
in Kansas Territory, at the town of Leaven-
worth, on Saturday the 3rd day of February.
1855, for the purpose of considering the subject
of change in the treaty with the Delaware In
dians; Col. A. Payne, was called to the Chair.
and Capt. s. D. Pitcher, appointed Sec'y.
A. Macaulay, explained the object of The mee--
ting, and on motion the Chair appointed a COM
mitee of three to draft resolutions expressive OF
the sense Of the meeting, with instructions to-
report to this meeting instanter, and r. R. Rees,
A. Macauley, Esq, and D. Dodge, Esqr, were
appointed that committee, who after consultation
repoi ted the following Resolutions, through R.
r. Rees, their chairman.
RcsolOed, That We approve of the long settled
policy of this Government inviting the people
to the occupancy Of the public lands, by granting
pre-emption to the actual settler.
Resolred, That the settlement of every ne5y
country, must of necessity to great extent, be
controlled by Governmental policy, ard every
restriction upon the occupancy of the public
domain, will SO far retard its progress
Resofred, That we deem all treaties with the
Indian tribes for the cession of their lands which
in any way prevents their immediate settlement.
n. n
polite for the General Government, and extreme
ly dangerous in their tendency, calculated TO pro-
duce the most serious difficulties between the
settler and the Indian tubes.
Rcsolced, That we deem the treaty concluded
by Col. Geo. w. Mannypenny with the DaIa
ware Indians. to be decidedly iInpolitic as retar
ding the settlement Of this new and beautiful
country which is destined soon to become Droud
star in our National constellation; as unjust to
the white man. In tending to prevent his occu-
"a 4to, -
Of onr territory; and as swindiing operation ur-
on the Indians In depriving them Of lust recon-
pense for large portions of land which must and
will Of necessity remain unsold for years to
come.
Resolved, That we believe that any man of or
dinary capacity in diplomacy, could have and
If influenced by honest motives, would have un-
der all the circumstances contracted with the
Delaware Indians for the unconditional par chase
of their lands excepting that portion reserved
for their own occcpancy,) at fair and reason
able price, having been assured we were that
the Indians were dissatisfied with the treaty az
made and would have preferred an mcondition-
al sale.
Resotred, That we are unwilling to mistrus the
officers of Government. so long as we can find
the least excuse to juStify them, but when these
high officials have shown by a continued course
OF Yindictive opposition to the fair and reasoua-
BILE wants of community expressed in terms
respectful and proper. I've cnnnot refrain from
the opposition. eit
Resoired, That We are not outlaws beyond tho
pale OF Governmental protection, but peaceabIe
and order-loVing citizens of the United States,
and though located in the wiIds OF Kansas, are
equally entitled 10 aid, protection and respect
with the inhabitants of the proudest City ia the
Union. $ -
Rcsoired, That we most respectfully deny the
unfair and illiberal charge of the Commissioner
OF InstaA Affairs, that we came intruders
0nI<0 Of rIr-I1+
ceded by the Delaware Indians. having been in
formed and as we deemed upon competent author
ity, that the commandant at Fort Leavenworth
had received orders to offer no opposition to the
settlement of these lands, which was to US a.
least, tacit permission of the General Govern.--
ment.
Resolred, That we have learned with regret
that certain outside influences, aided by officials
of the Government, have been brought to bear
upon portion of the Chiefs of the Delaware
Nation, Inducing them though reluctantly to sign
protest against any change of their treaty
Infhences which We confident were prompt
ed by selfish motives of speculation, especially
as we learn that one of acknowledgements offered
to the Indians was that the treaty never could be
carried out and that the Government would be
eventually bound to purchase these lands at ex-
HorbItant prices or whatever the Indians might
ask. 53e.zE-4
be ReSolred, That when one occupying so high a
position as the head of the Indian Department,
can stoop so low from the dignity of his station
as to interfere with the fair and impartial legis-
latien of Congress, for the accommodates Of a
community, and most vindictivelv lend his ef-
forts and influence to prevent the location of a
Post Office in town or Reighborhood, matter
entirely out of the sphere of his duties.s1ge are
constrained to believe that his heart is impure
and his motives dishonest, and that he must have
become the hired instrument of some deep-iaid
scheme of speculation, whose real actors are
working behind the curtain through this unfor-
tunate dupe Of theirs, who must eventually be
subjected to exposure and disgrace.
- RESOLVED, That we feel it due to us as citizens
and settlers upon the unsold lands of kansas,
that the proper steps be taken Immediately to
procure change Of the Delaware treaty, and
SubJecting these lands to the usual right of pre-
emption; and we do most respectfully ask that
some efficient and honest man be selected as the
special agent Of the Government, to contract a
change in the said treaty, and make it accord
with the necessities Of the people of this country.
Which were on motion of Col. Alexander
adopted, and on motion of Mr.. MacaulY, the
Secretary is required to forward to our Repre-
sentative in Congress, and also to Col. G. W.
Mannypenny, copies of the proceedings of this
meeting and twas ordered that the same bc pub
lished. in the Kansas Herald. x
On motion of Mr.. Dodge, the meeting adjourn
ed.
49,. A. PAYNE, chairnas.
SD. PrrcHxr, sec'ty.