The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-08-16
THE REEDER CASE.

We have carefully read the report Of the
Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs and
the defence of Governor Reeder, and il is
very clear that the Governor has acted at
ieast imprudently AMI improperly for his po-
simon. Il appears that The Indians from whom
the Governor proposed 10 purchase lands
had only usufructury interest in them, and
held them as reserves but not in fee simple.
Treaties with the Pouawatomie tribe in 1882
and with the Sac and Fox half-breeds in
1924 are referred To- as similar in provision
to the treaty with the Kansas half-breeds s.
But in those cases after the Indians conveyed
away their Interest, special act OF Congress
was passed conveying the additional interest
of the United States. Under President Jack
sons administration Attorney General (now
Chief Jaslice) fancy gave ii as his opinion
that ia these cases Of Indian reserves the
Indians have only q usufructury interest in
The land reserved, and The remaining title is
in the United States. .s--------
II appears also that an application was
made In April 1852 by Hon. ]. S. Phelps, of
d. the House OF Representatives, United States,
on behalf OF j. r. Chenault, Esq, for the ap-
proval of deed 10 Clement Lessert, from
Moses Bellmond and Adele his wife, for the
identical section of land now proposed to be
conveyed 10 Governor Reeder and associates.
The response of the land office 10 that ap'
plication was made 10 Hon. MIR. Phelps uu-
der Cate Of Goth May of that year, that ''the
half-breeds provided for in the treaty refer
red 10 possess only usufruciury interest,
therefore ii is not competent for them 10 con-
vey an estate IN fee in the same. Besides,
these lands being situated within the Indian
country, their alienation could not be sane
toned without violating the long-settled pol
icy Of The government, which is TO exclude,
as far as possible, the settlement of whites
within what 10 called the Indian coun,ry.'
The deed was returned "unapproved" by the
government.
Subsequently 10 July 1854 similar reply
was given by The government 10 inquiries
made by Mr.. e. H. Norton, Esq, in refer
ence TO these lands, and il was added-iha'
tthe Indian tile must first be extinguished
before they 0be reserven) can be subject tc
settlement or sale as public lants."
Sill later two trading Companies informed
the officer Of the United States governnen
that whenever il pleased the government 10
offer these for sale, they were willing TO
give the one six ami the other four dollars
per acre for the whole twenty-ihree sections
of those apzp. Il which Governor Reeder's
company ailewpted 10 purchase the most
valuable part for three dollars peracre. This
would indicate that these trading Companies
well knew the Ultimate title Of these lands 10
be in the government.
Now Il The President had approved the
contracts of the half breeds with Reeder those
gentlemen and comphnies who had previ-
ously offsled higher psiee for the same
lands would bave haf ~ ID reason io
complain a, the PAD IN and Ivoriteism o
The government, cer9 more cause
than Governor Reedsl ID hIs friends car
now have.
The government regards the Indians as III
wards, and with CONNIE ndable humanity
has passed laws to protect them against The
superior craft and ssgacity of the white man
In other ages and counties great wrong
have been perpetrated on races occupying
such position as The Indians do toward th'
guardian government Human nature hal
been The same since the day when the Ro
man governors oppressed distant provinces
and when Hastings and Give ruled for Eng
land In India.
A man In The position of governor shoul'
be ihe first TO project these Tribes, and lh'
last 10 weaken the safeguards of the law.
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