Public Leger, Volume 2, Number 102, Richmond, Wayne County, 1 April 1826 — Page 1

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"FRIENDLY TO THE FLST PURSUITS OF MAN, FRIEXDLV TO THOUGHT, TO FREEDOM, AND TO PEACE." CoiCpcr.

AVMHFJl 102.

RICHMOND, WAYNE COUNTY, INDIANA, SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 10-6.

VOLUME .

;S1-TLH AXU rtTLISIIED i:T.UY SATURDAY BY BUXTON & WALLING. Frovt fim oppotHc J 'avghun's Hold. TiiH PRICE OF THIS 1WIT.R. I Oic !).!! r rx. in 1 Fifty CVnts far fifty two numt ors to be pais, in advance ; Two Dollars if paid v.iJai. tl. year, or Two Dollars air.l I'ilt Cent.,

if u..t pai.l U fare l.a expiration of the w as :

; Posterity look to this depository with tlic most intense interest. The fair fame of j their ancestor., a most precious inheritage, is to them equally a source of pride, and a motive of continued good action. But she performs her province with impartiality. The authority she exercises in the ! absence. of others, is a check on bad rule.

.' "anient in a.lvanoe b. in to tl. nmtual ...tousi j 'pj,0 tvrant and the oppressor see, in the j ot i.ol'i niirtie-. tl-at uun'c is o!n itcl. !' . r t . .1 . v ,- ,- , t -1 - ,i , ivvM.,!, ; character of their prototypes, the sentence na :kMht -oiitiiiiM J until all arrearages arc i ; po;tenty is preparing for them. Which

- 1 i , 1 111 1 A t J J I

p u i. I fu;e oi me picture snau vc cieci: tor me A liilurMc r.(i;fv a .'isvr.tii i: tnee :t trc cxj ira-ji , . Ptl..-tf C1...1I lr ro.

1 iT.l'aJJ-4Vlk IU "Ul vV H V J w' I I II I I 1 I L V-

cord transmit the present race to luturc

tion oi !. lane -al-rribtu for, uill I

e.t a la . -.'Pat :t f .

L'tttis t) (ifF.Mr.T, mr.-r huic :: a$U: ! generations, as standing by, insensible to

i. c. a: r

i - I -

""Fillet n hi.-1-', r 1 'lar each euiitiia; '

lart r a.Ivertcuiv -i.t? in tV san;c prop.uti-':u

! tl:e ro;es of tlie desolation which threat

xDVKHTl-JNC i ons t!ic remnant of this people; or shall

t!;n e ia- rtioTis One Del- I there unfriendly characters jive place to a

irenerotis rnort which shall have been

twcc.tx -tii t rents.

TUB INDIANS.

j made to save them from destruction? ! While deliberating on this solemn question, i I would appeal to that high Providence,

Lett

from the Serictarv of War. to the " urnn jujulc ...m

Chairman of the Commitice o Italian : e oracles oi iu win, Atlkiis, accompanied bv a bill fr the H revealed to man, in the terrible denuncia-

nrec-r,.ition ::nd civ ilization of the In- il nons -ci oppressor.

i dim tribes within the United State.-. Dr. partm ext or a:;.

; The oj.idition of the a bo ri pities of this J Coa:;U, uiid tla-ir future destiny, have I torn; e.5,ajeil the attention of the philosonl.er af.d statesman, inspirit!; an interest i

Correspondent to the hi ji importance ot :

tncsubn-it. i iu historv oi the p:;st pre-j , .v .. ;. . , ... . ,

. , i, i .. i .i II . . .i maim, i.ii-iii "i i in vi, i

iTllt.3 Hill 1 1 I I I ' . 'tl I ! 1 1 I I llli IllUIKlUUIl

tinkers with satisfaction. The future is ZM m -re cheenni:, unless rt sort be speec'ilv h.ad In iitluM- cniiii-iU tl::i'i those !

. - , i . - 1 ; : aternr)t mit hieh v.-e fia e hereteUuv hern uovert ed. V ,, ., . .

hap-, have realiz -d much of the hope? of its friend;. S lon, however, as that de?ire continues to direct our c ouncils, every

fail. A cuisory rev jew is

inr il hi; ii.iiiiiitnivi i-i'iiiv'ti.vvi.i i i . i . i ,i . . i . .! . i nil that is net es try to show the incur .rui-

l' rorn Hie ,j. -z Liicoeri oi .-iiueru a n i;.e , .. . , , , 1 tv ot the tnea-uies we have pursued, and i re-eiit titae, one master pasior. common h - : . : . .. 1 ' ,. - ... . - i.i!. i the ca.iv'- oi their Iiiiure.

an ...a:. :.h(i, i::ai ei aifjuiiini: laeo, u i- , driven, in ea-eh-s ?necerio:i. tin white i!

IJi-i-i the ladian. Tiie I-.lter, rel e.e- ! k"M tnei r rAiurU, Uy imbuit.-them will Inntiv itdiinir to a force he cou'.d t.ot re- : r litziou imprcioM. ."SchooL have been i!t, "ha, letit.d from tin or. an to the ,j ladiht d b to- aid of private, well tn..u.;t;,i!:s. and fr.mi the mountains to j; public donations, for the instruction of

ineir ou i . i .-. i i.ev lj.iv

tiMiv ie.iap'.t.ihif reces-s, w a-ti ; awav

title Mi

aii'l ; war:

te-tiee, tiil a wretched fr.i:m'i.t o:i! se.r-

Tives, of t lit tie.ni. : uCi 4 this ci'-j: tr . v. !

. f -rciua and in- l, ! 'don tf.c

n urief .vr th

. i.

!r-M.i:r r: 01 t h ; r i

rde-1 e inhala !l a luu; i- to I rc'd j-

: :".:'.:. or to i

is the impracticability of its execution, if that is to depend on treaties alone. Some of the tribes in whose removal we are jrnost deeply concerned, have peremptorily rclused to abandon their native land. Those who may be persuaded to emigrate, will carry with them the same internal feuds which are so destructive to their kind, and for which no remedy is proposed. Different tribes are to be placed in juxtaposi-

I lion without a controling power between j which, hereditary and implacable hostiliI ties have raced, and which arc not likely

to be appeased, till the one or the other is exterminated. But these difficulties sur

mounted, in what relation are they to stand , to 'he United Slafes? The history of evc-

i) age teaches us how diflicult it has been j to maintain tranquility between contermii nous and independent states though civj ilized. How must that difficulty be in- ! Jeale' u'hf-n one of the parties is savage ? 'i hclU and murders, and numberless caujses oi discord, must inevitably precipitate j colli-ions which cannot but prove fatal to the weaker party. And the same propensity which has conducted the white population to the remote regions they now nccupy, will continue to propel the tide, till it is arrested only by the distant shores of i the Pacific. Before this resistless current, the Indian mu-t retire till his name will be ! no more. It would be, however, worse than useless to waste your time in multiplving objections to existing plans I have therefore, supposing it to be within the duty assigned me by the committee, submit

ted the project of a bill, with such provisions as I think under all the circumstances, are best calculated to effect the desired object. In performing the service assigned by the cemmittee, whose wishes alone would

MUsionarier, are sent anion-: them to en-: have bee,, a sufficient inducement on my

part to render a cheerful compliance, 1 have a fui lher reason a desire to comply with li.e requests of the people of the U. State: residing in the neighborhood of Indian :- :v.h men!-. 'I he c epartir.cn t is ccntiuiialiy pressed with applications, from Si: .v- oi k to Arkansas, to adopt measures to ;:tinguish the Indian titles to their

In reviewing the past, justice requires

that the humane attempts of the federal government, coeval with its origin, tdi.ould receive an honorable notice. That they have essentially failed, the sad experience of every day but too strongly testifies. If the original plan, conceived in the spirit of benevolence, had not been fated to encounter that as et unabated desire, to

I'jves, aim oecoine

i we 1 1 : . Cp:.ro, on v II-: top v. " ... ,

CTiU.'-a: j !)roiii;ht

e.;

Hi Hi'l, . t

it;

"a-t:f:' d in e

p: o-t : i , ! hi- I ; '!t t! ;o thi'.r

".I'M . V.-: fteth !::.;.::... tit ! . h ha

COM.; :: ! tic .'. i .r.:,i:-.-t t r (""Ja'iitie-, of i'l-licr .1 -un K :i t;i.:

Is .e ! a;; I oi tfi : :. i

t k to in- . i . tiations o j; -'--in:r tlie j ;J.t. They , a rr.--o.irr. .-, ; orly tr.n- - : a - per 'i - I !cr ..

ct-ii ei-i;a.ico

clture -to luc.'itc them-

culttvalors ol tie: Soil

iuinlements of hnvbandrv. and dona btie

animals, been presented them, and : hu.ds, and remove the Indians. An unaall tie se thin-s have been done, accom- il vuilio attempt to obtain a cession of their

pauicd with pro.vions of a di;intereti-il ,aI1( is nietimes ascribed by the disap- j

solicitude lr tin u iiapphis-. Yielding ij pouted, to ignorance, or a want of zeal, or to these temptations, some of them have ;! f" wore motive on the part of agentsreel time. the fore M, planted their orchards l' employed and new attempts to negociatr and creeled houses not onlv for their a : arc solicited with unabated importunity, bode, but for the administration of justice, j 1 he obstinacy of tlie Indians, arising from a;,d far religious worship. And when thev jj their partial civiliz ttion, whose removal have so done, you send your agent to tell 1 lve rri0 t wish, fully ecjuals the zeal of those them thev i::t:-t surrender their count r 1: who widi to procure their lands and hence

to the white man

s ivcj t-j ijme

to ascertain the extent of our authority over them. Our ancestors, as well as every European nation that seized upon their country, denounced them as heathens, utterly out of the pale of civil society, and, as a consequence, disposed of them according to their will and pleasure. From the adoption of the Federal Government, however, they were regarded, to some extent, as an independent people. Hence, treaties were made with them for a, surrender of the usufruct of their lands. On the other hand, they were denied the exercise of this right as it respects other nations, and were even restrained from selling their lands to our own citizens. And, besides regulating their trade. Congress went so far as to punish, by the decisions of our own courts, for otlences committed within or without their own territories. In forbearing to go further, it is left to conjecture, whether it arose from a want of authority, or the expediency of exercising it. f To avoid, therefore, any difficulty which different opinions might produce on this point, their consent has been made necessary by the bill, as a requisite! to its operation. The first provision looks to the procurement of a country, for future residence,

j beyond the settlements of the whites. For

tunately, that object can be easily effected. In adopting the limits prescribed in the bill, I have pursued the plan heretofore proposed. In including the lands, as a part, lying between Lakes. Michigan and Huron and the river Mississippi, I have been governed as well by the above consideration, as the fact that it is now in the occupancy of the Indians, and, from its natural features, is not desirable at present for the habitation of our citizens. The principal recommendation of this

plan, next to the advantages to be gained

by ourselves, is, that tlie future residence of these people will be forever undisturbed that there, at least, thev will tied a home and a resting plnce. And being exclusively under the control of the United States, and, conse quently, free from the rival claims of any of the States, the former may plight its most solemn faith, that it shall be theirs forever, and this guaranty is therefore given. The second provision referred to, is that of effecting their removal by portions less than tribes, when the latter is impracticable. Some of the tribes, in whose immediate removal we are particularly interes

ted, have expressed a fixed determination j against an exchange of their lands. Thirf i difficulty is said to arise from the influence

of their chiefs, who have appropriated the

. ... j . 1 1- r I

..wi .4. 'L,.m. 1 an insuperable ilitncultv presents iiseii oi : , -,t;i., ia... u,,.i.,.: ..ni n.-r.

, ..im I'.vwiiiiu.k mviir , I I ... I IlIOV .IIU3 IV llltail?VI i l a null uvu i . . I . . i T ..:..- i... ..j.-, it. , til.iili ii ca ii .

new desert, anu sun-iittnoi e,.ei img, u intuiti mc uujun 1 la o" iiprnme weativ. J heir consent to re

move cannot be obtained: but the majori-

as the mean? of their subsidence, the pre- , oesirabb;, ol puttieg an cnu to thif Iruitlul earious chaser lar the- certainty of cultiva- ! source of collision.

c 2.

, on

, fen

ev..i i ; the t.:

a e

jt : ji' . are Hie ti b an ether, a i w i; f i..a b u iai.-.

at iH and

d !

wei e j, 1--; ; . i ' . c e 1 Mat--, a a ;-t( at

.t.

' fio;,

III!

Tlie iovo of our native- land is im- ! i not arrogant cnouch to suppose

d in everv hun.an bosom, whether i that it is free from all objections. For I

t ty, or large portions of the tribe, who I ave ; no such inducement to remain, it is assert

ed by those who know, or pretend to know

: ; a. nun' e

e 'i nv uniaij. and i

.i : -.t ::ov. t mi:' nt ; on the -vant and ,!i ided t; ibes I? i- :.er e-.:ar; Sv tor the 1

--r:.-r-t-...-r..'. ". 4...IO 4 !. !

4 1 1 . i . 1 1 ' - - i 1 1 ; . a ) 1 1 ( ; , ( ' 1" a : - i Cfrii immediate- sal n.i--aun fn-m the !at- i ( T. The -'.r'-e-f io:i ()' policy or neces-' C .y 5bvu!d t:o 1 e :ge r -tiile the claims of; . Usee and htinvu.ity. It i-, now, th-r eforej t At a i:i'i - !. :i!a (.'irtion addres ,fs it- ' X t to the American people, and who-e

jswer i.- fe.!3 of iv-ponibility. Shall we ) on qui tly in a course, which, judging 'n t!'" b 1 tii!e-.'.-;), (ij.-ir extinction,

).! t.v ir p.t-t Mill, rings ami future pros

o pa'h- tlealK appeal to our com'1 he responsibility to whiedi I v-nat a eation owes to itself, to its it ter in all time to nunc, Fui

el srlf-def.Mice, and the

high'. -t state of civ iiization. This attach- l! genuity could suggest, would be altogether

meet increast , -with the comforts of our ; exempt, as the subject is encompassed on erair.trv, and is stroj.g. ft when these com-! every side with difficulties. The utmost fort- ar. the fruits of our own exertions.;! reach of my hopes is limited to u diminuWe have imparted this feeling to many ofM tio these difficulties, both in number the tii'u-s by our own measures. Can it j aiid extent. It is onh by comparison I am he rnatier ..uuninci. t) t i im iih i satisfied that mv scheme can solicit a pre-

oi jM MI4jV UIV j iivui L I'll! mm-.xed ie.dhrnMtJnn r,f u-lmi Bf.rn. trt '1 ferencc. I submit the outlines ol the bill, ,

ir i 1 1 r

ruthless purpose of expelling j! t principles of which are the following:

i:-rh

fC.cr. i, : f..'iii . , f.-it t i .n! oi r.-ti t.

s!:ntii(l he.

7;:ire

ir. 1;

til-

4.1' I

1 ! i - h : , . !l ai'-

v. a!v i-

t he'iv Jo-1-, a

;tih--atiie;, that

the

tie-ni fioni theii country, thus endeared? j

i o v see trial our professions are insin-1 cci e that our promises have been broken, ' that the happiness of the Indian is a cheap j s tciihre to the acquisition of new lands.;

and when attempted to he. soothed by an

as-urance that the countrv to which we l!

i j propose to t end them is desirable, they em-!, , phatically ri;h us, what new pledges can jj ! oii give us that we rhall not again be ex- j ih-d when it 1;, your wish to possess these jj j I and- ? It i;; easier to rotate, than to answer j! j th- epiestion. A rcgaid to consistency,);

apart liom every other consideration, re-!'

First. The country west of the Missisipi, and beyond the States and Territo-

i i-a tin- I 1 1 ...i . .

.... .... - v ..a ta pr.n he), these

x-t. . .in a u.ve an ex

sipnt

nes, and so much on the east ot tne iiississippi as lies west of Lakes Huron and Michigan, is to be set apart for their exclusive abode. Secondly. Their removal by individuals, in contradistinction to tribe. Thirdly, A Territorial Government, to be maintained by the; United States. Fourth!!. If circumstances shall eventually iustifv it. the extinction of tribes.

ami their amalgamation into one mass, j and a distribution of property among indi-j vitluals. i

'i turn letain and emiov hi home. or. if he is h I lithlu. It leaves the condition ot those s

j to b- driven from it, abstain from cherish-j- that remain unalte-red. ing illusions, we mean to disappoint, and j offering a few remarks upon these 1 then by make him to feel more sensibly ; dillei cnt heads, I beg to call the attention ! the e;.tcnt e)f his loss. ji of the Committee to the leading principle

Having pointed out the incem-ruilies f M ot the bill, namely: 1 hat nothing is pro

:pie cj t

4 11,

tn :r-

liuilfui

. i . i -

JM e i li -eia, prnu-ipl over ti;at ,,r111! 1 . . . - 4

J seki-aine-s -.vnicn r,: oei-a l ,

i-i" u::.an ealaae!".

t :' roVinee.- (;l iiistor ; - i.;e tran-actioi.s i.

t 11

to cotiaiii; n.itinn-.

-- . .

' 'A .

tn- e..

T.'

II Pi'.

o ''.ant ..-a

he reams tlie wi'hh'n.e ss, oris found in the ! ari vnre that no plan, which human in- : their wishes, may be persuaded to emi

v . . ti . 11 , 1 f 1 I A 4 1. mm. I : " '

J mate. By the proposed plan the fact can

be ascertained, and whatever portion maybe willing to go, will, under this provision, Le removed. The third object of the bill is, the establishment of a Territorial Government, by the United States, for their protection and civilization. The bill proposes a Governor, three Judges, and a Secretary, to be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and such modifications in detail as the President shall ordain, subject to the approbation of Congress. I have already intimated, in a former part of this report, the consequences of sending the Indians to the country destined for their final abode, without some controlling authority. Without this they will be exposed to endless mischiefs. It i. not necessary to prescribe particularly in the bill their government. Its organization may safely be deposited in the hands of the President, subject to the control of Congress. 1 will, nevertheless, suggest, that, as soon as the civilization of the Indians would admit of it, I would give them a legislative body, composed of Indians to be selected in the early stages by the President, and eventually t: be elected by themselves, as well for the purpose of enacting such laws as would be agreeable to themselves, as for the purpose of exciting

i their ambition. Distinction being the obIjeet of universal pursuit with man, wheth

er barbarous or civilized, it is presented to the Indians in this scheme. They will be taught, that there is another road to it

I than throneh blood and slaughter. The

i n

v rin. t i4.. .f r 4.....1i ... li

. i j !; quires a change ef measures, hither let

n iii.iiaiii'i iu a - hing charartrrMics

and moderation. To its brightest ornament, source of the- higlr-t

i'p.a i.j: i, is HOW

this : - tern, so unhappily organized, that j :it contain within itself the causes of ils

abortion, i pretectal to review the

more mode rn plans of removing the differ

; ent tiilie-s ireuti trie east to the west or me-. : al.Vi.-sippi. That this plan originated in! ;j ' .at benevolence for which its author issoj ; li-.i.'.ruished. i cheerfully admitted; but ' -i.it 2t too, i ol!ioious te many obje.-tions, 1 tea; i-i r.e true. The (irrt ohjec'ion!

posed t be done, in reference to the In

elians, uilh htt tluir own consent. In making this a preliminary to our acting, I have been inJueneed rather by a desire to relieve th: proposed plan from objections, than fr-many settled conviction of its necessity. The relations between the United .Sta.es and the Indians, are so entirely

!ftculiai,that it is extremely difficult to re

fer to anv well settled principles by which'! objection, on the part of the most intel'i-