[Footnote 13: Dispatch of Mr. Gallatin transmitting the convention of
September 29, 1827, and report of an exploring survey from the Sebois
River to the head waters of the Penobscot River, made in 1829.]
WASHINGTON, _February 15, 1832_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
Being more and more convinced that the destiny of the Indians within the
settled portion of the United States depends upon their entire and
speedy migration to the country west of the Mississippi set apart for
their permanent residence, I am anxious that all the arrangements
necessary to the complete execution of the plan of removal and to the
ultimate security and improvement of the Indians should be made without
further delay. Those who have already removed and are removing are
sufficiently numerous to engage the serious attention of the Government,
and it is due not less to them than to the obligation which the nation
has assumed that every reasonable step should be taken to fulfill the
expectations that have been held out to them. Many of those who yet
remain will no doubt within a short period become sensible that the
course recommended is the only one which promises stability or
improvement, and it is to be hoped that all of them will realize this
truth and unite with their brethren beyond the Mississippi. Should they
do so, there would then be no question of jurisdiction to prevent the
Government from exercising such a general control over their affairs as
may be essential to their interest and safety. Should any of them,
however, repel the offer of removal, they are free to remain, but they
must remain with such privileges and disabilities as the respective
States within whose jurisdiction they live may prescribe.
I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of War, which presents a
general outline of the progress that has already been made in this work
and of all that remains to be done. It will be perceived that much
information is yet necessary for the faithful performance of the duties
of the Government, without which it will be impossible to provide for
the execution of some of the existing stipulations, or make those
prudential arrangements upon which the final success of the whole
movement, so far as relates to the Indians themselves, must depend.
I recommend the subject to the attention of Congress in the hope that
the suggestions in this report may be found useful and that provision
may be made for the appointment of the commissioners therein referred to
and for vesting them with such authority as may be necessary to the
satisfactory performance of the important duties proposed to be
intrusted to them.