New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-12-11
MEMORIAL

L
MEMORIAL
| TO CONGRESS FOR THE PRESERVATION AND
ELEVATION OF AMERICAN INDIANS.
The following preamble and resolutions were
adopted BY the Board Of Directors Of the Aneri-
can Ii dian Aid Association in New. York City %
the Sd Of December, 1857:
WAereus Ttis Board was orgsnizs1 OF the 9i.h
| day of September lest, the objects OF which hay
ing beer strongly recommended by series OIL puohc
meeting both before and since above dated
Ard rkereas, A large number OF clergymen OF this
city Of the various denominations visited by us have.
almost without eIcepo expressed their strong sym
As,ociatiop, and alec either opening their churches
for the presentation Of claims or individually con-
| seDtipe 10 do 80 ne coon IS practicable,
And rhereds, Near thirty editors have opened their
colu ms in spreading out facts 70 the public, aud
| we confidently expect with some eIcsptions) that
the entire Press Of this city gill long follow suit in
I this hrpsnitary wtIk,
And JVhtyeas, A large smount Of information has
Travellers historians snd others relating to the condi-
ton and tire s'ment Of our Indisn population, which,
| if true, demands the immediste attention OF the
people and Government Of this nston, the Board,
therefore, present the following IS the substance OF
come of the information derived from the above named
sources:
FIRST That the Indian race Is not being diminished
lie copse quence CT any decree of manifest destiny as
has been most fascousy asserted by border settlers
ard other Interested persons; but by very different
nstrumentsi.ies, fuch as the rum, the rife, tbs re-
yover and coptaminatons OF their white aggreseors
Second. That one great Of their decmaton in
The Territories is Their exposure 20 the rife Of the emf
gIsrt the border settler and military, which ride is
effective 200 var lie, while our laws compel the poor
Irdan to defend himself with his feeble arrow, which
Third. Neither our Territorial nor Military sutho--
ties ever punish white men, according to law FOR ROB
biz e. and especially numbering indians, but always
dsman and execute Irdisns when charged with mur-
6eTirg white men.
Fourth. 1t Is solemn mockery to tell the Ind:r that
he enjoys the equal protection OF our laws when he Is
rot allowed to enter our courts Is juror, witness or
plaintiff.
Eth. The military on our frontiers, instead Of pro-
tsciipg the Indians with some honorable exceptions
have made it practice to sanction aggression and
then slaughter pssceabe and innocent lndiaas merely
2t0 or 300 Indians by the orders of Gen. Harvey At
Ash Holow) thus encouraging aggression and destroy
il z the moral sense Of the army.
Sirfh: Treaties are professedy made with tribes.
when In fact they are only signed ofttimes, by unau
horized Indians made drurk for that very purpose.
Se,enM: That our Territories are becoming a rem
devious for adyenturers who have no more scruple
about robbrg I1dians than bears Of their homes and
posesions and that TO drive the Indians to resistance
and war; and then create large bills against the Gem
sra Government is one great object OF their emigra-
claims now being forwarded to Government. on account
Of Indian wars, amounting, as is said, to shout
&I0 600, and further, that in some cases Indian
Agents, instead of protecting the Indians under their
care, participate in fomenng those wars, and bacome
partners in thoee claims.
Eighth: That under such circumstances, to give to
Territorial Governments entire control Of the Indians
In said Territories to consentto their oppression AID
Ninth: That all methods Of government or missonss
ries to civize the Indians must continue to fail until
they cease breaking down their tribal relations.
Tenth: That great waste Of Indan fund. Is being
made BY hing white men to cultivate the Indian
lands instead OF leaning the indians to work the sams
ElertnM. That according to estimates made, cur
Government has expended within the Lost 43 years
$500 COO mainly for the re 'raint and govern
ment Of our Indian population, when, hsd theyloeen
fairly dealt by this sum would have been no
more necessary for their restraint and correction than
for the resrsnt and correction of the OF the
State of State OF New.YOrk-oficers high in Govern
me Mt authority having declared themselves unable to
point out single treaty which was ever nrst broken
by the IDdiaps.
TrelNh: That said infomsnts do not charge the
foregoing wrongs upon any ore political party or Al
minstrsfion, mol as being always effected by design
but that it is rather the result Of custom or haos Oh
long standing.
f2irttnN: That the plan of civilization proposed
BY the American Indian Aid Association ID almost uni
verrsy approved by Indian agents. travellers and res.
dents 90 far as has been explained to the, and If
carried out will in their opinion, greatly Aid Govern
me mt ard missionaries in their praiseSorthy efforts TO
benefit the Indians upon the reserves.
Fourteenth: That the efforts now being made to CUT
up ito new Territories the remsining ludsn lands IN
Utah, Neoeho and elsewhere, We have GOOD reason
to believe are made purely for the benefit OF office,
seekers and land spscuaters and is ear esdy hoped
that Congress will give no counteDancs t. the same.
In view of the foregoing alleged facts, the Directors
Resolred, first, That the friends OF justice ana nu-
msnity, in every part Of our common country, De Id
yited to cooperate WIN them giving 'ne' innae'0'
for the preservation of our red brethren.
Rfsolred second. That in consequence OF the pecu-
mary en- barrassments Of this city, the Board have
been obliged ~ defsy nearly the entire expense OF
their operations out Of their pockes; that their
funds are exhausted and they are greatly crippled IN
their labors and further that the friends OF the cause
be earnestly requested to remit such msteral sd as
thsy can spsre either to the Secretary or to Dr. L. T.
Warner. Treasurer No. 40 Lafayette place, THAI TIE
Board may be enabled to publish l4rse amount Of
facts now in their possession, aud also to send out
agent. and lecturers 10 awaken the public mind TO the
in por,spce Of the objects Of their enterprise, &C.
Resolree third: That politicians, ed tors, posfnss-
ters and clergymep Of all parties and DENOMINATIONS,
De earnestly requested TO sgp circulate and tor ~ad
10 ZONE repess NATIVE in Washington Voc Ioliosms
petition IAPfhS low m1ws s,,.,, i'""'"'
To IA, Usi,s1 STATE, Senate aAd House RtIre.eEtlh0e-
WI, your petitioners. bens Inhabitants Of the STATE o.
s Cont, Of - having c.sfay read the toresotns state
msp end cOnsenins the condition and ea,Msn'
- alton said 10 have been made TO the Diree
the American Indian aii A..n i.,on snon n 70 an
Of the aforesaid allegations aud noIa you nn
Whole or IN sH We S' yss .so
be.. the Preservation and elevation OF the ie
r.nsirin ing tdbes Of our red brethren.
AZ