Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

with or near them, and be employed for their benefit. The immediate application of the whole annual allowance now stipulated, to be made by the Superintendent appointed by the President for the affairs of the Six Nations and their Indian friends aforesaid.

ARTICLE VII. Lest the firm peace and friendship now established should be interrupted by the misconduct of individuals, the United States and Six Nations agree, that for injuries done by individuals,

, on either side, no private revenge or retaliation shall take place; but instead thereof, complaint shall be made by the party injured to the other: by the Six Nations or any of them to the President of the United States, or the Superintendent by him appointed : and by the Superintendent, or other person appointed by the President, to the principal chiefs of the Six Nations, or of the nation to which the offender belongs : and such prudent measures shall then be pursued as shall be necessary to preserve our peace and friendship unbroken; until the legislature (or great council) of the United States shall make other equitable provision for the purpose.

Note. It is clearly understood by the parties to this treaty, that the annuity stipulated in the sixth article is to be applied to the benefit of such of the Six Nations and of their Indian friends united with them as aforesaid, as do or shall reside within the boundaries of the United States : For the United States do not interfere with nations, tribes, or families of Indians elsewhere resident.

In witness whereof, the said Timothy Pickering,

and the Sachems, and War-chiefs of the said Six Nations, have hereto set their hands and seals.-Done at Konon-daigua, in the state of New York, the eleventh day of November, in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four.

TIMOTHY PICKERING.

(L. s.)

Signed by Fifty-Nine Chiefs of the Six Nations.

I grant there is some fairness, and an appearance of more, in the replies of the American government ; but it cannot be denied that in one or two instances the complaints of the Indians are evaded, and in others wholly overlooked. The consideration, such as it is, did not come spontaneously, but was brought about by a strong appeal which it was not possible to neglect. The redress altogether is inadequate. The United States, perhaps, went as far as their erpediences would allow; but justice is another thing.

135

CHAPTER XI.

SALE OF LANDS BY THE INDIANS.

The following is a statement of land purchased by the United States from the Indians up to the year 1820:

Total quantity, 191,778,536 acres. In payment for which, sums to the amount of 2,542,916 dollars have been appropriated.

Of these lands 18,601,930 acres, have been vended by the States's Government, and there remain in their possession 173,176,606 acres.

The sum of 22,229,180 dollars has actually been paid into the treasury of the United States, in part of the purchases of the above land ; leaving still due, (for which the land is a security) 22,000,657 dollars,

The account, then, will stand thus :

[graphic]
[ocr errors]

How irresistibly, to say nothing of natural rights, do these transactions establish the claim of the Indians to protection and kindness from the United States !

The purchases of land from the Indians by the British Government do not exceed ten millions of acres; for 7,491,190 of which the Indians receive goods annually amounting in value to £4155 Halifax currency, or 16,620 dollars. The British Govero

. ment has not sold its lands, but, with the exception of a few hundred acres lately disposed of near York in Upper Canada, has made gratuitous grants of them.

Besides which, about 20,000 Indians annually receive from the British government, blankets, and presents of various kinds--so that wbile the Americans have gained so largely by their intercourse with the natives within their territories, the British are annually losers. But both are awfully deficient in using means to improve the condition of the Indians.

[blocks in formation]
« AnteriorContinuar »