The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-04-09

ence OF OPINION anywhere, except among
the Indians themselves, about the pro-
priety of their removing. There was no
interest among the whites in our State, so
far as / know, except that which would
be promoted by the removal of the In
dians to the western country. This Ian
guage was used and was explained to the
Indians, that they might understand that,
until the President appointed time with
in which they must go to the West, their
rights remained, and believe there is
now pending, in the Senate, bill provid-
ing for the payment of money under the
treaty with the Tonawandas, by which
the right of the Indians to these lands has
been recognized. Within year or two a
treaty has been made by which they
have sold their rights and are to receive
their pay for them; and thus, of course,
their rights are extinguished. The In
dians were informed that they would have
ample time for this purpose, and have
ample notice. There was great reluc- |
tance on their part to enter into this trea-
ty; there was reluctance on their part
to leave the lands upon which they had
forever resided-smallr reservations in diff
ferent parts of the State of New York
There is another article in the treaty, the |
fifteenth article, which will read to the |
Senate, which was part of this treaty |
perfectly comprehended and understood
by these Indians
"The United States hereby agree that
they will appropriate the sum of $780,
600, to be applied from time to time, IN
| dar fha Iiraafinp af tHa praasIank SC he
United States, in such proportions as may
be most for the interests of the said In
dians, parties to this treaty, for the follow
ing purposes, to wit: to aid them in re-
moving to their homes, and supporting
themselves the first year after their re-
moval; to encourage and assist them in
education, and in being taught to culti-
vate their lands; in erecting mills and
other necessary houses; in purchasing
domestic animals and farming utensils,
and acquiring a knowledge of the me-
chanic arts"
Here is provision of the treaty re-
. quiring that $400, 900 should be expended
to aid these Indians in their removal to
the Western country, and purchasing do
J mestic animals and agricultural imple-
ments for them in their new homes. This
has never been done; there has never
, been any notice given to them of the in
, tention of the United States to avail them
selves of their authority in this treaty to
terminate it, by fixing the time within
which they must CO. or forfeit their rights.
The reason, as understand, of the bill
which has been presented to the Senate,
is an urgency arising from the fact that the
, Indian lands in Kansas have been settled
upon, and that difficulties have grown up
. among the settlers, settlements having
| been made there without any right on the
3 part of those who have settled. There is
desire, of course, on the part of the Gov.
: ernment, in the most peaceful and in the
easiest and quietest manner, to dispose Of
: the subject, and to give these lands to the
' white settlers who have settled on them.
D Now, the fact is, I suppose that very
: considerable number of the Indians would
: prefer to remain on their reservations
q which they still hold in the State ofNew
t York. In my judgment, the course pur-
/, sued by the Government in their nego-
t tiations with the Tonawandas is the pro-
: per course to be pursued with all these
: tribes. There will be no difficulty in
9 making treaty with these Indians, by
+ which all their lands in Kansas, that have
}. been settled upon, may very readily be Sc
: cured to the settlers for there is no doubt
Is that sufficient number ofthe Indians will
e desire to remain in New York and to sell
II their lands in Kansas, to enable the Gov.
l. ernment to allow the right of presumption
If to pass to the persons who have settled
j. there, and thus remove the difficulties
e | understand that considerable improve.
" ments have been made; mills, in some
Ie places, have been erected, and in some in.
n stances two or three. small towns have
le grown up on these lands. have no dis
ct position to disturb those people; but an
h unwilling that bill should pass by which
Is it is assumed that the Indians have los
st their rights to these lands. desire that
h through the Indian Department, negotia
ID tions may be instituted with these In
le dians, and their rights promoted in man
IS, ner that will save the faith, honor ant
,e credit of the Government. The Indian
h have 40 means of enforcing their rights
as whatever course this Government ma,
IS, choose to take on this subject, is q cours
al to which they can make no resistance
is, Their only appeal is to the justice and
Il the honor and good faith of Congress-
ve These treaties were made between ther
re and this Government as between equs
t parties, and the rights which are guarar
Is tied to them by the treaties ought, j
Is, good faith, to be carried out. There
in no necessity in this case, which shoul
is press this Government to do the slightei
d. injustice to the Indians.
n The amendment which / have offere
/" contemplstes the giving Of notice by ii
Id President, and the use Of those meal
Of which are provided by the treaty of 18S
'se tho appointment Of commissioner
ny proceed TO the Indians and open neg
III tiation with them to give them a noti'
"a that, within such time, they must 6
nst or, il they do not, their rights will be 70
on feited; and that is.in exact accordan
cir with the terms of the treaty. / trust Il
,es amendment which have offered, will pr
.ed vail; and then shall have no objectit
ro- to the passage of the bill. II the amen
of ment does not prevail, hope the bill "
not pass. The bill assumes to take the
the lands and sell them; but / will not di
not cuss the merits of the bill, trusting th
try the amendment which Ihave offered, W
i've prevail tits simple amendment whic
emit within reasonable time, q year or tx
Ior- appointed by the President, can bring
art, rights of the Indians to termination, a
keep the faith OF the Government.
the Mr.. GREEN. The Senator from NJ
on York does not present this case in {
res light in which / understand it. The tn
ian ty Of 1888 provided reservation for
to New York Indians, on condition that th
ATTY should remove to and occupy it, with
sst special provision that, if they did not,
! in rights Of those who failed TO &c should
hey forfeited. The time was fixed; and
itch circumstances under which they were
the remove were all specified. In 1846,
uch notice Of the President was given :
Q to they must 60. or lose their rights IN
nich the treaty A cousiderable number