H. or R.]

Removal of the Indians.

[MAY 19, 1830.

security, than we can now make. Still, however, in the idea of a successive removal of the Indians, as they should be crowded on by each new range of States, and in the associating a place of refuge for the Indians with the gmdual extension of our own population over the same region, Mr. Jefferson evidently aimed at objects at war with each other, and attempted to promote, at the same time, two measures which were essentially at variance.

consequently, by every State which adopted it, as a por- be securely entrenched behind this mighty barrier, Mr. tion of the law of the land, "any thing in the constitution Jefferson certainly made a vastly better provision for their or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding." When Mr. Jefferson acquired Louisiana, he conceived the idea of providing, in the upper part of it, an abode for the Indian tribes. His idea was, to remove the Indians, by treaty, from the eastern to the western bank. "The inhabited part of Louisiana,” says he," from Point Coupee to the sea, will of course be immediately a territorial Government, and soon a State. But, above that, the best use we can make of the country for some time, will be to give establishments in it to the Indians on the east side of the Mississippi, in exchange for their present country, and open land offices in the last, and thus make this acquisition the means of filling up the eastern side, instead of drawing off its population. When we shall be full on this side, we may lay off a range of States on the western bank, from the head to the mouth, and so range after range, advancing compactly, as we multiply.""

Could Mr. Jefferson have executed the first part of bis plan, it might have been well for the Indians. Unfortunately for its success, the other portion of the project be gan instantaneously to execute itself. A principle of our political system was immediately developed, far more se live in its progress, far more tenacious in its hold, than any principle that could be applied to the preservation of the Indians. Our own population rushed over the river; they looked around on the broad new region as their own; their In another letter, written 1st November, 1803, he uses own they made it; and before Mr. Jefferson's Indian marestill more emphatic language: "Spain is afraid of her ene-chaussée could be organized, to keep off the emigrants, mies in Mexico; but not more than we are. Our policy will the emigrants were sufficiently numerous to embarrass the be to form New Orleans, and the country on both sides of settlement of the Indians. So that, instead of procuring it, into a State; and, as to all above that, to transplant our them an asylum for fifty years, those that were sent over Indians into it, constituting them a marechaussée, (a were subject to the same pressure of a rapidly increasing mounted patrol,) to prevent emigrants from crossing the white population, which had borne upon them in the old river, until we shall have filled up all the vacant country States. on this side. This will secure both Spain and us, as to the mines of Mexico, for half a century."+

Sir, could it be otherwise will it be otherwise? Wbst, are you indeed going to abandon this region to the Indians! I have more than one object in these citations. An at- Mr. Jefferson's second range of States? This fine tract, as tempt has been made lately, on the strength of a few gar-you describe it, six hundred and fifty miles long, and two bled passages from the Journals, of the old Congress, to fix hundred broad; the garden of the United States; a fine on New England the odious and improbable charge of hav-soil, well watered, rich in coal mines, and capable of being ing refused to protect the West from the Indians, in order covered with forests. are you going to lock it up, in mortto cripple the growth of that part of the country. We here find that this policy, if ever systematically formed, is to be traced to a quarter remote from New England. Mr. Jef ferson proposed, in 1803, to collect the Indians on the right bank of the Mississippi, for the express purpose of forming them into an armed guard, to prevent the emigrants from crossing over.

main, for the Indians? Can we stop the wave of population that flows toward it! Will we do it? We cannot; we shall not. Precisely the same process which has gone on in the East will go on in the West. That onward march, which ueither the Alleghany mountains, nor the Ohio, nor the Mississippi, could arrest, will not be checked by your me ridian lines, nor parchment patents. If the land, as you say, It must be admitted that Mr. Jefferson's project was is good, it will never be the policy of this Government to crude enough, although it was free from most of the objec- hold the keys of the territory, and turn off the emigrants tionable features of the measure now proposed, aud pos- that will claim to enter. A cordon of troops could not do Bessed some positive advantages. It contemplated no in- it. Withhold your leave, and they will go without leave. terference of State legislation, but amicable agreement by They will boast themselves your citizens; they will soon treaty, as appears by the act creating the territory of Or-demand a territorial Government; they will next swell inleans and the district of Louisiana, of the 26th March, 1804 to a sovereign State; will extend their jurisdiction over In that act, we find the following section : the Indians, and drive them into Texas.

"The President of the United States is hereby authorized to stipulate with any Indian tribes owning lands on the east side of the Mississippi, and residing thereon, for an exchange of lands, the property of the United States, on the west side of the Mississippi, in case the said tribe shall remove and settle thereon; but, in such stipulation, the said tribes shall acknowledge themselves to be under the protection of the United States, and shall agree that they will not hold any treaty with any foreign power, individual State, or with the individuals of any State or power; and that they will not sell or dispose of said lands, or any part thereof, to any sovereign power, except the United States, nor to the subjects nor citizens of any other sovereign power, nor to the citizens of the United States."

We here see that the Congress of 1804 recognised the ownership of the Indians in the lands they occupy; and we find no trace of that coercive State legislation, which forms the great objection to the present measure. In providing, also, that the Mississippi itself, and not an imaginary line, four hundred miles west of it, should be the boundary of the Indians, and that there, for half a century, they should

* Jefferson's Works, III, p. 515, ↑ Ibid. IV, p.6.

Nor was this the only difficulty in the way. The first step in this great policy of removal, was met by the ob vious embarrassment, that the territory west of the Missis sippi, toward which the removal was to be made, was itself occupied by numerous warlike and powerful tribes of Indians, of a race alien from those whom it was proposed to remove. Previous, then, to removing the Indians from the left bank of the river, it became necessary to remove others from the right bank, to make way for them. What was to become, what did become of those thus to be re moved from the right bank? It would require time and sources of information not at my command, to trace ther into their narrowed limits, and point out particularly their fate; but the nature of things teaches us what it must have been. Driven into closer bounds, and forced upon neighboring tribes, their removal from the hunting grounds to which they had been accustomed, on the right bank of the Mississippi, must have been the source of wars, destructive to all parties in their immediate effects, and doubly fatal in the interference of our arms, which it involves as a se cessary consequence. Be this as it may, on the 8th of Ne vember, 1808, a cession was made by the Great and Little Osages, of a large tract of land, containing a considerable part of the present State of Missouri and Territory of Ar

kansas, amounting to forty-eight millions of acres, for a consideration substantially of about one thousand dollars per annum.

[H. of R.

large to do this, and to request the establishment of a division line between the upper and lower towns, so as to include all the waters of the Hiwassee river to the upper towns; that, by thus contracting their society within narrower limits, they proposed to begin the establishment of fixed laws and a regular Government: the deputies from the lower towns, to make known their desire to continue the hunter life, and also the scarcity of game where they then lived, and, under those circumstances, their wish to remove across the Mississippi river, on some vacant lands of the United States."

As the first step in this policy of removal, the history of this treaty may be worth repeating. In the year 1804, the President gave his promise to a number of Osage chiefs, then on a visit to Washington, to establish for them a tradng house, on the plan authorized by a law of Congress in 1806. The same promise was repeated to another deputation, and in October, 1808, the establishment took place. So far it seemed to be a gratuitous act; but in the follow ing month it assumed a different character. On the 8th Such was the plan, I beg it to be distinctly observed, of of November, 1808, the agent of the United States for the this policy of a voluntary removal, at its inception. Those Osages, Peter Chouteau, appeared at Fort Clark. On the who went, were to go for the purpose of continuing to lead 10th he assembled the chiefs of the Great and Little Osages the hunter's life. Those who staid, were to devote themin council, and proceeded to state to them the substance selves to agriculture and civilization, and were to establish of a treaty, which he said Governor Lewis had deputed fixed laws and a regular Government.na him to offer to the Osages, and to execute with them, The approbation of the Executive was given to the Having briefly explained to them its purpose, he address-measure. Exploring parties went over, and selected a ed them in the following words: "You have heard this tract of country on the Arkansas and White river, to treaty explained to you; those who now come forward and which a considerable number from the lower towns repairsign it, shall be considered the friends of the United States, ed. The more vigorous prosecution of the measure was and treated accordingly. Those who refuse to come forward and sign it, shall be considered as enemies of the United States, and treated accordingly." The Osages re plied, in substance," that if their great American futher wanted a part of their land, he must have it; that he was strong and powerful, they were poor and pitiful; what could they do? He had demanded their land, and thought proper to offer them something in return for it. They had o choice; they must either sign the treaty, or be declared the enemies of the United States."

The treaty was accordingly signed, on the same day; and so much were the Osages awed by the threats of the agent, that a very unusual number of them touched the pen, many of whom had no conception of the purport of It is asserted. in an official report to the department, by the Indian factor at Fort Osage, that the treaty was not fairly understood by a single Osage.

che act.

probably retarded by the political condition of the United States. But, in the month of July, 1817, a treaty was negotiated at the Cherokee agency, between" Major General Andrew Jackson, Joseph M'Minn, Governor of the State of Tennessee, and General David Meriwether, commissioners plenipotentiary of the United States of America, on the one part, and the chiefs, head men, and warriors of the Cherokee nation east of the Mississippi, and the chiefs, head men, and warriors of the Cherokees of the Arkansas river, and their deputies, John D. Chisholm and James Rodgers, duly authorized by the chiefs of the Cherokees of the Arkansas river, in open council, by written power of attorney, duly signed and executed, in presence of Joseph Sevier and William War." This treaty provided for a considerable cession of the lands of the Cherokees east of the Mississippi. It stipulated, that, during the month of June, 1818, a census should be taken of those Thus the trading house, which had been established who emigrated, and those who staid behind: it guarantied gratuitously, in conformity with the earnest solicitations of the protection of the United States to both parties, reciting he Osage chiefs, and repeated promises of the President, in the preamble the words of Mr. Jefferson, who declared vas made a part of the price of the lands acquired under the United States to be the friends of both parties, and he treaty, by the United States. The treaty was not rati- willing, as far as can be reasonably asked, to satisfy the ied by the Senate till April, 1810, and the Osages com wishes of both," and who promised to those who should plained of the delay of the payment of the first and second remain "the patronage, aid, and good neighborhood" of nnuities, which did not take place till September, 1811. the United States; and it provided for running the line The trading house was broken up, by order of the Gov-between the portion of the territory which the Cherokees ernment, in 1813, and was never afterwards renewed, con- ceded, and that which they did not cede. rary to the expectations and wishes of the Osages, who egarded it as the only benefit which they derived from he treaty.*

Such are the auspices, under which the first stops in the policy of a removal of the Indians from the east side of the Missisippi commenced.

Such was the treaty, and it was unanimously ratified by the Senate. Among the names recorded in favor of this treaty, which was negotiated in furtherance of the purpose of the Cherokees "to begin the establishment of fixed laws and a regular Government," I find the names of George M. Troup and Charles Tait, the Senators from Georgia. This purpose having been formally avowed by the Cherokee deputation in 1808, did not, of course, have its origin, as has been stated, in 1817; and the fact I have just mentioned shows that it received, at that time, the sanction of the representatives of Georgia in the Senate of the United States.

About the same time that the treaty was negotiated with The Osages, a deputation from the Cherokees was encouaged to visit Washington. Here they conferred with Mr. Jefferson; and I have obtained from the Indian bureau his alk to them on this subject. It is not necessary to cite it entire; the preamble to the treaty of 1817 contains enough of the history of this transaction to show its nature. We Although it was the avowed purpose of the Cherokees are there told, that," in the autumn of the year 1808, a to provide, by this treaty, for a separation of their commudeputation from the upper and lower Cherokee towns, nity, and to leave to those who wished to stay a permanent duly authorized by their nation, went on to the city of Washington, the first named to declare to the President of the United States their anxious desire to engage in the pursuit of agriculture and civilized life in the country they then occupied, and to make known to the President of the United States the impracticability of inducing the nation at

home, "fixed laws, and a regular Government," yet the agents of the United States, under the instructions of the department, endeavored, with the severest urgeney and pressure, to compel the whole nation to emigrate. For this reason, the taking of the census was delayed, contrary to the treaty which fixed the time when it should be taken, and the remonstrances of the Cherokees; and high pecuThis account is derived from a report of Mr. Sibley, Indian factor at Diary offers were held out to them, to consent to go en Fort Osage,in Long's expedition to the Rocky Mountains,v. ii,p. 245. | masse, or accept reservations, and become subjects of the

VOL. VL-134.

This treaty was unanimously ratified by the Senate, receiving in its favor the vote of Mr. Tait, the only Senator from Georgia recorded as voting on the question.

[MAY 19, 1830.

States. It is painful to read the documents which cou-known their determination to the Government to cede ne tain the history of these transactions. After all attempts more land. This purpose they -communicated to the Preto persuade and overbear them had failed, the project for sident and Secretary of War. They also addressed a me the time was abandoned, the idea of taking a census given morial to the House of Representatives. In this paper up, and a new treaty entered into on the 27th of Februa- they say, "the Cherokees are informed of the situation of ry, 1819, by which a further cession of land was made. In the country west of the Mississippi river. And there is the preamble to this treaty, it is set forth that "the greater not a spot out of the limits of any of the States, that they part of the Cherokee nation have expressed an earnest de- would ever consent to inhabit, because they have unequi sire to remain on this side of the Mississippi; and being vocally determined never again to pursue the chase as desirous, in order to commence those measures which they heretofore, or to engage in wars, unless by the special call deem necessary to the civilization and preservation of their of the Government, to defend the common rights of the nation, that the treaty between the United States and United States. As a removal to the barren waste borderthem signed 8th July, 1817, might, without further delay, ing on the Rocky Mountains, where water and timber ar or the trouble and expense of taking the census, as stipu- scarcely to be seen, could be for no other object or inlated in said treaty, be finally adjusted, have offered to ducement than to pursue the buffalo, and to wage war cede to the United States a tract of land at least as exten- with the uncultivated Indians in that hemisphere, impos sive as that which they probably are entitled to under its ing facts speak from the experience which has been so reprovisions." peatedly realized, that such a state of, things would be the result were they to emigrate. But such an event will never take place. The Cherokees have turned their at tention to the pursuits of the civilized man. Agriculture, The whole number of Cherokees, who emigrated to Ar- manufactures, the mechanic arts, and education are all kansas before the treaty of 1817, or pursuant to its provi- successful operation, in the nation, at this time: and whist sions, is supposed to have been five or six thousand. They the Cherokees are peacefully endeavoring to enjoy the are believed to have suffered severely for several years blessings of civilization and christianity, on the soil of ther after their emigration. They immediately became involv-rightful inheritance; and whilst the exertions and labors ef ed in war with the Osages and other tribes of Indians, various religious societies of these United States are suc west of the river; and when a proposal was again made, cessfully engaged in promulgating to them the word of in 1823, to the Cherokees, under a new commission, to cede truth and life from the sacred volume of holy writ, and their remaining land, and cross the river, they refused, al- under the patronage of the General Government, they are leging that "the unfortunate part of our nation, who have threatened with removal or extinction. This subject is emigrated west of the Mississippi, have suffered severely now before your honorable body for a decision. We ap since their separation from this nation, and settlement in peal to the magnanimity of the American Congress for their new country. Sickness, wars, and other fatality justice, and the protection of the rights, liberties, and have visited them, and lessened their numbers, and lives of the Cherokee people. We claim it from the many of them, no doubt, would willingly return to the United States, by the strongest obligations, imposed on land of their nativity, if it was practicable for them to them by treaties; and we expect it from them under that do so, without undergoing various difficulties, which memorable declaration that all meu are created equal; would be almost insurmountable, in so long a journey, by that they are endowed by their Creator with certain ina men, women, and children, without friends and without lienable rights; that among them are life, liberty, and money." the pursuit of happiness."

After this positive and solemn refusal, no further direct attempt was made to carry into execution upon the Chero kees the policy of removal.

The commissioners appointed to make this renewed attempt in 1828, stated in writing, to the council of the Cherokee nation, that they were happy in being afforded "an opportunity of becoming partially acquainted with Let us now contemplate for a moment the situation of several members of the council." For the whole body, the Cherokees removed to the territory of Arkansas. I say they," we entertain a high respect, and we trust that have already stated, in general terms, that they were im with some of you we have contracted individual friend-mediately involved in wars with the neighboring tribes; ships. In saying this, we do no violence to our own feelings, neither do we lower the elevated character of the United States. People, who have never seen you, know but little of your progress in the arts of civilized life, and of the regular and becoming manner in which your affairs are conducted.".

The same commissioners,(Duncan G.Campbell and James Meriwether,) after exhibiting to the Cherokees the compact with Georgia of 1802, proceed to say-"By these articles you discover the rights of Georgia, and the obligations of the United States. That these rights may be fulfilled, and these obligation discharged, is the important object of the present mission. The sovereignty of the country you occupy is in the United States alone; no State or foreign power can enter into a treaty with you. These privileges have passed away, and your intercourse is restricted exclusively to the United States. In matters of cession or territory you are recognized as a contracting party."

The Cherokees having refused to cede their lands and emigrate, for the reasons, in part, already given, drawn from the suffering condition of their brethren in Arkansas, despatched a delegation to Washington, in 1824, to make

and the statement above cited as to their unhappy condi tion, when made, in 1823, by the Cherokees east of the Mississippi, as a reason for refusing to emigrate, was not controverted by the commissioners of the United States. But the active benevolence of the friends of humanity, and the bounty of the Government, had followed them to their new abode. The missionary establishments and schools were flourishing; and though the object for which they emigrated, that of resuming the hunter's life, seemed to be abandoned, the better object of advancing in civilization was in a course of fulfilment. Meantime, however, the population of Arkansas began to press upon them, and at length it was thought necessary that they should agan remove. In a letter of the reverend Mr. Washburn, from Dwight, a missionary station in Arkansas, it is stated as follows: "From the facts above detailed, it will appear that the efforts which have been made for the improve ment of this portion of the American aborigines, have not been without important results; and that among these re sults, it is not the least important, that the natives are led to place a high value upon education, to desire its general diffusion among them, and to exert themselves for the maintenance of schools. These results, connected with the belief that this part of the Cherokees were settled where the cupidity of our own people would not be likely

MAY 19, 1830.]

arts.

to disturb them, presented to our minds the cheering pros- among them, and to perpetuate them as a nation, by expect that they would soon exhibit to the view of the phi- changing, for a small part of their land here, a country anthropist a most interesting spectacle-that of a people beyond the Mississippi river, where all who live by huntreclaimed from ignorance, barbarity, and vice, and elevat-ing, and will not work, may be collected and settled toed to intelligence, refinement, and virtue, and surrounded gether," &c. with the comforts and elegancies of the useful and liberal We expected soon to see their country, which was Mately a wilderness, covered with fruitful fields, surrounding comfortable and convenient habitations and storehouses, and here and there decorated with edifices for literary and scientific improvement, and temples for the worship of the great and beneficent Father of all the kindred of the earth. Such, sir, were our expectations, when we received intelligence, that, by a new convention entered into by a delegation of the chiefs and the late Secretary of War, these poor people must again relinquish their homes, their improvements, and, for a time, their privileges, and seek a new residence in the wilderness."

It is true the author of this letter expresses the opinion that this second removal will be ultimately beneficial to the Cherokees of Arkansas. He rests this opinion on the supposed security of their last retreat from further invasion, on the liberal indemnity given for their property, and on the advantageous character of the new country. But the ormer circumstance, as I have already stated, will infalli oly lead to further encroachments. To suppose that they will be permitted long to remain unmolested, is the merest tream of faney.

Such has been the result of the experiment of finding a permanent home" for the Cherokees, west of the Missisippi. The next experiment on the southern Indians was nude upon the Choctaws. Here, too, it was necessary to begin by clearing the way.

The seventh article provided for the sale of fifty-four sections of land, one mile square, out of the land ceded, to be applied for the support of the Choctaw schools, on either side of the Mississippi; and the fouth article expressly stipulated that "the boundaries hereby established between the Choctaw Indians and the United States, on this side of the Mississippi river, shall remain, without alteration, until the period at which said nation shall become so civilized and enlightened as to be made citizens of the United States, and Congress shall lay off a limited parcel of land for the benefit of each family or individual in the nation."

Very few Choctaws have crossed the Mississippi, in consequence of this treaty, and those mostly fugitives. The regular support of an agency in the new country, is the most tangible result of the arrangement. The Choctaws were in a state of hereditary hostility with the Osages, whose hunting range extended to the tract ceded to them; and this circumstance may have prevented their going over the river.

I have already stated that a cession of territory was ob|tained from the Quapaws, to be given to the Choctaws in exchange for a portion of their lands east of the Mississippi, and that, at the same time, a considerable reservation was made for the Quapaws. It was expressly stipulated that this reservation should not be intruded on. In 1824, however, this reserved tract was taken from them, in consideration of a certain sum of money to the chiefs, and an increase of the annuity to the nation; and it was provided, in the fourth article of the treaty, that "the Quapaw tribe of Indians will hereafter be concentrated and confined to the district of country inhabited by the Caddo Indians, and form a part of said tribe."

As there was no territory suitable for the purpose, to which the title had been extinguished, west of the Mississippi, it was deemed to be expedient to remove the Quapaws, a tribe occupying the southern part of Arkansas. l'his tribe, otherwise known as the Arkansas, or Osarks, This junction of the Quapaws with the Caddos was made ad been distinguished, in the annals of the natives of without the previous consent of the latter. It became America, for their fine physical qualities, and mild but necessary to "disencumber the Caddo lands of squatters," varlike temper. They were kindred with the Osages, to receive the new comers. The Indian tribes, thus thrown and, like them, hereditary foes of their neighbors east of together, speak languages totally different. The Quapaws he Mississippi. At the period when the policy of the would not leave their reservation, till told that they could United States was brought to bear upon them, hey had be allowed to stay no longer; and arrived, in a starving unk into weakness, and found in us a protector who press- condition, at their new home, although removed and suped that weakness to the dust. In the general statement ported by the United States. On their arrival, the agent of the Indian tribes of the United States, which was made writes to the Secretary of War, that he was "fearful the by Governors Cass and Clark, they are called an unfor- Quapaws will be very troublesome to the white settlements unate" people; and with good reason. In 1818, a treaty this summer, owing to their being destitute of provisions, was concluded at St. Louis, by which the Quapaws ceded and, of course, must be in a starving condition shortly; very large tract of country occupied by them, south of and being in a strange country, where game is very scarce. he Arkansas river, with some considerable reservations. Corn is now selling on Red river at one dollar and twentyFor this they were paid about four thousand dollars, and five cents per bushel, and scarce." The accounts of the he amount ceded was over twenty-nine millions of acres. next year represent them as being in a better condition; They reserved about one million five hundred thousand | but, at a still later date they are said to have wandered cres to themselves. By the fourth article, they were to back, in part, to their former seats. They are an unhappy De protected from all intrusion. That article provided remnant, likely soon to be wholly consumed, by these cahat "no citizen of the United States, or any other per-pricious changes.

son, shall be permitted to settle on any of the lands hereby Fortunately for the Choctaws, they were in no haste to allotted to and reserved for the said Quapaw tribe or na-remove to their new permanent home in Arkansas. In tion to live and hunt on." A stipulation, of which we ball presently see the value.

1825, it was found that the convenience of the settlements in Arkansas required the retrocession to the United States Having thus prepared a country to which they could be of a portion of the land ceded to the Choctaws at Doak's emoved, in 1820, the treaty of Doak's stand was nego stand. This retrocession was accordingly made, a new iated between the whole Choctaw nation and General boundary on the west was established for the Territory of Jackson and General Hinds, by which that tribe ceded a Arkansas, and the white settlers found beyond it were rearge tract of land in the interior of the State of Mississip moved by force. Precisely such a series of removals on pi, and received in exchange an extensive and valuable removals, from one permanent home to another permanent ract south of the Arkansas. The motive of the cession home, has taken place with the tribes of northwestern Inwas, in the preamble to the treaty, expressed in the follow-dians; but I forbear to go into the detail. I have said enough ng terms: "Whereas it is an important object with the to show the vanity of the lure of permanence, which has President of the United States to promote the civilization been, and is held out to tempt the Indians to the western of the Choctaw Indians, by the establishment of schools desert.

H. OF R.]

Removal of the Indians.

[Max 19, 1830.

Failing in their attempts with the Choctaws, the same commissioners entered into treaty with the Chickasawi, but with like want of success. Among other objection urged by the Chickasaw chiefs, the following is founded in reason and truth:

The Cherokee treaties of 1817 and 1819, and the Choctaw treaty of Doak's stand, appear to be all that was effectually done towards the voluntary removal of the southern tribes. An abortive attempt, to which I have alluded, was made on the Cherokees in 1823, and another upon the Creeks in 1824. In the winter of 1825, and in "Friends and brothers: We know that our white brothers the last year of his administration, Mr. Monroe, in a mes-are crowding on us daily, which we know is not just. We sage to Congress, proposed a general plan for the removal further consider that there is a number of nations west of the and embodying, beyond the Mississippi, of all the tribes of Mississippi, that have been enemies to us as well as to our Indians fixed within the States. Nothing was further from white brothers. It would be as much impossible to unita the contemplation of Mr. Monroe, than the attainment of us with them, as it would be to unite oil and water; and this measure by the compulsory action of State laws. In we have every reason to believe that those tribes that have pursuance of the policy recommended by him, a hill was left their country are not well satisfied; and, if that should passed in the Senate, of which the substantial features be the case, we are fearful that those tribes will take satie have been already referred to. faction of us, for injuries done by us, as well as our white brothers, We are a small tribe, and unable to defend our rights in any country."

Simultaneously with these movements at Washington, the treaty of the Indian Springs was negotiated, in Georgia, with a small party of the Creek nation, assuming to act for the tribe. By this treaty it was stipulated, that, for their lands ceded, the Creeks should receive acre for acre of land between the Arkansas and Canadian fork. It is unnecessary to repeat the painful history of this treaty. It was superseded by that of Washington, of the following year, in which a similar provision was contained for the removal of those desirous of going. Parties went forward to explore the country; and two bands of emigrants, one of twelve hundred, and the other of thirteen hundred, have crossed the Mississippi.,

The following year a tour was made to the southern tribes by the officer at the head of the bureau of Indian Affairs, under the direction, of the Secretary of War, and further attempts made by him to induce the Choctaws and Chickasaws to consent to remove. His efforts were limi ted to persuading them to send a party to visit the country west of Arkansas; and a provisional consent was ob tained of the Chickasaws, that, if the country pleased them, and could be delivered to them unincumbered by any population, and guarantied to them forever, they would remove to it. Other conditions also were attached to this provisional consent, such as that all their houses, mills, fences, workshops, and orchards should be replaced by others as good, in the new country.

In the year 1826 a vigorous effort was made to negotiate a treaty of cession with the Choctaws and Chickasaws. Generals Clark, Hinds, and Coffee were the commissioners on the part of the United States. To their urgent repre- Of the sort of argument by which their slow consent to sentation of the expediency of the removal, and of the these terms were obtained, the following specimen will erstrong desire which the United States felt that the Choc-able the House to form an opinion: taws would consent to go, the following objections were "Brothers: It is said, since you did not agree to the stated by the Choctaw chiefs: proposals of the commissioners, that you are a self willed and obstinate people. I do not believe it; but many peo ple who do not know you as well as I do, may incline to think this is true. This, as far as it may be believed, will lessen the number of your friends, and these are few-you have none to spare!"

"It would be needless to enter into the various reasons which have determined us to decline the acceptance of your proposal.

After repeating, in the most urgent terms, the request that they would agree to send a party of exploration, this officer adds; "If you do not, I shall still fear; for the storm about Indian lands is terrible indeed! I wish to screen you from it."

In pursuance of the arrangements made by Colonel McKenney, a party of Chickasaws and Choctaws visited the country west of the Arkansas, in company with Mr. McCoy. Of the result of this visit, I shall ask permission, before I sit down, to say a few words.

"It is sufficient that this is the land of our birth, and that, when once sold, it could not be recovered. It is a sure asylum for our infirm and aged countrymen, where, surrounded by their offspring, and among the plains, and the hills and the streams of their youth, they might pass the remnant of their days in peace; and where, if undisturbed, we may all remain as prosperous and happy as in any other country. Here our forefathers have lived; here we wish to live; and, when we die, let our bones be laid by the side of those of our kindred. Why should we sell! Why seek new homes, when we are living here in peace, and, to such as are reasonably industrious, in plenty? But it is urged that the game is gone, and that those who live by Such, sir, are a few of the facts relative to this policy hunting alone are suffering. For all such, a country is proof removal applied to the southern Indians. It has proved vided. Six years ago we sold a large scope of our coun- utterly abortive, so long as it was conducted on the only try here, for lands west of the Mississippi. Let those who rightful and equitable principle, that of the free consent wish to live by hunting go there. Ample provision is made of the Indians. It is because their free consent could not for all such, by the treaty of Doak's stand, and all are free be obtained; it is because it is well known that voluntarily to go who wish it. But those of us who cultivate the earth, they would never go, that the States bave extended over will remain here." Alluding, in another letter, to the re- them a coercive legislation, under which it is avowed that peated cessions demanded of them, the chiefs say: "By they cannot and will not live; and now we are asked to the treaty of Doak's stand, lands were given us west of the furnish the means to effect their voluntary removal. Mississippi; and here again we were assailed by propo As for the idea that this retreat west of the Mississippi sitions to purchase back a portion of the country just ceded is to be a safe and undisturbed abode, the facts to which I to us. We listened to our father the President. We sent have alluded show that is a mere mockery. We see e a deputation of head men to the city of Washington, who unfortunate remnant driven from a reservation which six ceded back several millions of acres, for the benefit of years before had been spared to them out of the cession Arkansas. Again, last winter, another proposition was of a vast territory, and on the condition that their reservasent to the nation, requesting that we should cede back a further portion of our lands west of the Mississippi; and, finally, we are now urged to sell all, or a portion of our country here. Where shall we stop? Where shall we find a resting place! We ought to be permitted at least o breathe awhile and look around us."

tion should not be intruded on, We see the Choctaws assailed by a demand for more lands at the same time on both sides of the river. They are to give up on the ess side, and give back on the west side, after both sides had been guarantied to them by all the sanctions of the Go

vernment. The Cherokees are enticed into Arkansas