The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-01-10


circumstance and Il ID really exasordinAy that they
have been utterly dsprted yet they h@ye under the
adsersty exhibited degree Of toitude aud Io-
bearance well worthy the imitation u nany Of The whites
who boast Of their superior moral and mental culture
Few OF would INTERESTINGLY have permitted ourselves
be unceemonoasiy thrust from homes and deprived
OF hresides. They are necessarily pressed BY the
whites who under the plea Of necessity their
peror sagaciy in devices TO Invade their lights and de-
spoil them OF their property. &8M
We must, however, provide for the EXISTING state OF
things and the events that have anspred
in eonnexion with them for the last few Years viii show
that condition Of affairs has arisen that never con-
iempaled aud could not easily have been aatepated This
cannot be changed without AN attempt stay the onward
progress OF people, which would be rnitless The
mode Of treatment be adapted 10 thes present pecu-
liar condition, aud the policy liked one q i Is not likely
the character OF the circumstances by which they now
surrounded will ever change.
Many years have not elapsed since considered that
mixed occupancy of the territory W the white and
red Incompatible with The safety spd happiness OF
either A remedial policy adopted aud the removal
of the Indians west Of the Mississippi river determined
upon guarantee given them that they should have
exclusive possession OF that country forever exempt from
all intrusion OF white men, with ample provision for their
security against violence and internal CONNEXIONS
and the extension to them OF suitable facilities for their
advancement in the arts Of CIVILIZATION The country was
ngrauaed by OF your predecessors upon their
mova TO their homes, and the dawuing 10 them OF
new and happy was publicly proclaimed, But this
guarantee has not been fulfilled aud that pfoptious time
has yet arrived quarter Of century has not elapsed
before the same state OF things much dpiored IS found
10 exist and the evil that Was intended % be eneded APP
pears ia far appalling form. The suQng arm OF tie
Is constantly invoked 10 stay It's progress and
the guarantee is continually held up 10 a Tor faithful per-
formance Our only reply 70 all the appeals made y, that
the of circumstances has rendered ii mpraccabie
Congress has been in ito more recent appro-
priaons the benefit Of The Indians, and displayed
commendable spirit in aid Of their Reclamation The only
desirable is what usually denouinaied The
civilization fund being annual appropriation by the
Of March B 1870 Of $4,000. This might have been
sufficient them but II Is obvious II Is nptso now.
WL.Au ruJ ldy ttar HNfn In inn W Tho
conduct Of our people will not be so much surprised al
many of the ourages they commit they are savhges
and seldom taught TO discriminate b,tween wte men,
Ind yiduiiy with Them in Vt wrong, out OF the
question Indian disturbances too often traceabe to
te indscretons and aegressions Of white men We have
reliable reports u such ass and q the most murderons
fenceess Notwithstanding the MissIssPp was established
boundary to their country, people have passed II
and seized upon their choicest lands and crcunscrib-
ing the aborgines the narrowest limits We rapidly
closing upon the hunter tribes from both the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans and all the buffalo and Other game
will have disappeared and almost every bot OF arabic land
will be occupied by the white BY aconnnctureo of cir
cumsances unpropiuous 70 him, the Indian Is being
completely hedged in and before has he been sub
jeced TO such trials and hardship Many of them
aware of their deplorable and prearious condition.
and speak OF IL with tho deepest and most expressive
row yet, with few exceptions the oAecas they commit
not of high grade, and these are paated tn many
instances by want All this shosld Impress gem
erous intelligent and refined people with the necessity Of
kinan and orbearance towards them which is not al
ways exhib,.e1.
liberal hand should be extended to them, and every
means resorted for their improvement and elevation
Moral and religious principles and the arts OF civilized life
should be taught them II is difficult to instruct the adult
Naturally OF roaming disposition indoltn averse TO ord
nary labor as not COMFORTING with his idea OF dignity he
has desire to obtain practical knowledge OF agrcu-
ture any of the useful arts his attention 10
them be enlisted. He will not voluntarily abandon the
chase the wild diversions which seductive
10 the most refined But by commencing with the youth
implanting in their minds correct principles, aud incu
eating those moral and religious precepts which usual
children foundation would be laid for ashorough and
complete reformation of the whole tribe This has
been pursued to limited extent and its rets very
Eatierig9.
dans, follow the example OF those benclsnp societies
which have for many years abored perseysuey and
under the circumstances successfully, for the aeora
ton of their condition They have contributed largely to
this great object having expended within the last ten years
ia money alone nearly million OF dollars and 1t il doing
them injustice TO attempt 10 deprecae the effects OF their
incesant abors Experience shows that the instrumental
ity Of religion alone effect that radical change in the
habits customs aad modes Of thinking Of the In
dian that is desirable Recently government has not
been remss in granting the necessary supply both
their mental aud physical wants and il is hoped the laud
able spirit exhibited at the lust session OF Congress will al
councils Its continuance together with
the cordial corporation Of ths pare and seifsacrfcng
who have heretofore devoted much lime aad ;,en-
ton 10 them will relieve The poor Indians from their
yerest difficulties and embarrassmehs may tend % elevate
them equality with the Whites and avert from this
nation large amount Of obloqny that might otherwise at
taeh TO It, Facts have demonstrated their susceptibility OF
improvement and refinement and therefore il is
duty perseyere in all humane Efforts to preserve them
from extinction.
am, sir very respectfully, your obedcu' servant,
X. McCLELLAND, Secretary.
To the President Of the United States.