The conduct of the government of the United States towards the Indian
tribes, however politic it may seem, is certainly not based upon the
Christian precept “to do unto others as we would that they should do
unto us.” All our proceedings towards them have tended to their gradual
extirpation from the land of their birth. Our wars, our treaties, our
purchases of land, our system of intercourse with them, have all the same
end. The following extract will show how well the Indians understand this.
The reader will recollect, that it has become the settled policy of the
United States to remove the several tribes of Indians to a country west
of the Mississippi. In order to discuss and determine on this subject, in
1830 the Choctaw Indians held a council, in which it was resolved to sell
off their lands to the United States, for one million of dollars, and to
remove without the States, provided Government would give to each man a
section of land, in fee simple, west of the Mississippi, and be at the
expense of transporting the tribe to their place of destination, and of
supporting them twelve months after their arrival. The council sat four
days, and the following is a short sketch of their proceedings:—
The National Council was organized in the afternoon of the 15th of
March. This was a juncture of peculiar interest. To see the rulers of
a people, preparing to decide upon a course in which their posterity,
to the latest generation, was deeply affected, could not but produce a
deep and universal solemnity, and this interest was greatly increased
by the bitter tears shed by some of the females present. The voice of
sorrow is always eloquent; but, at such a season, never could the female
voice speak more forcibly the sympathies of our nature. Who could avoid
exclaiming, ‘O, my native country! Land of my fathers, I must leave thee!’
The Chief presented them with a concise view of the difficulties of
their situation, and the alternatives which were before them, and the
sad necessity of immediately making their selection. It was at the
intimation, that a removal was one of the alternatives, that the women
wept.
The Chief was followed by an old Captain in the nation, who, in brief
simplicity, recounted his sufferings as a warrior and captain, in
fighting for his White brothers, under General Jackson. He named several
places where he had fought, and seen the Choctaws bleed and die. At that
time, little did he think that his White brothers would ever make it
necessary for him, in his old age, to leave his country, and the bones of
his father. He would greatly prefer giving up his country, than submit to
laws, the nature of which he could not learn, and among a people, the
wicked part of whom would harass and ruin them. He expressed a belief
that the President would give them a good treaty; and, if he would do so,
aged as he was, he would give his voice to go to their lands west of the
Mississippi—and, moreover, expressed his belief, that the Great Father
above, would go with them, and bless them in their new home.
A Captain of the eastern part of the nation, next came forward. He
appeared many years in advance of the first speaker. His white head,
palsied limbs, and tremulous voice, made him an object of deepest
interest. He was said to have been a warrior under General Wayne. He
recounted some of the scenes of his past life, and the hopes which had
borne him onward in his course;—he touched upon the disappointment that
had clouded his setting sun; but, awakening, as if by supernatural
power, he spoke boldly of his confidence in his GREAT FATHER above, and
expressed his full assurance, that HE would accompany his nation, and
bless them. The discussion continued until a late hour of the fourth day,
when the vote was taken, and found in favour of emigration.
[Illustration: Indians Shooting their Prisoners.]