The Indian and White Man; Or, the Indian in Self-Defense (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1880. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXIX. SHALL THE INDIAN TERRITORY BE THROWN OPEN TO WHITE SETTLEMENT? The question must be answered soon and once for all--Indian Territory--Why so named--Jackson's suggestion to Congress--Act of Congress--Territory selected--Commissioners sent out to get the Indians to trade lands and emigate--How the thing was done--Not emigration, but banishment--The title by which they hold their lands--Solemn pledge of the nation--The hand and seal of the nation--Article of Dr. Samuel T. Spear--"Will the United States assume the character of a nation of liars and robbers?" We shall see by waiting. This is an important question, and must soon be answered by the American people either in the affirmative or negative. The swelling tide of emigration has struck the line and pauses for a moment to see whether the government intends to stand true to its treaty obligations, or, as in the past, violate its sacred pledges and give the helpless up to be stripped of all they possess or hold dear. The Indian Territory is a district of land lying west of the Mississippi river, bounded on the north by Kansas, on the south and west by Texas, and on the east by Missouri and Arkansas, and having an area of 74,127 square miles, or 47,441,480 acres, which is considerably larger than the state of New York. This country is called the Indian Territory because set apart by the government of the United States as a permanent home, forever free from the encroachments of the white man. In his message to Congress, December 8, 1829, President Jackson said: "I suggest for your consideration the propriety of setting apart an ample district west of the Mississippi, and without the limits of any state or territory now formed, to be guaranteed to the Indian tribes as long as they shall occupy it, each...