TOWARDS THE INDIANS. 441 



unacquainted with its actual condition, and with the internal 

 history of its wants, its dissensions, and its oppressions. 



&quot; The Choctaw treaty of 1830, allowed that tribe three years 

 to emigrate. In 1831, about 5000 of them removed to their 

 new possessions between the Canadian and Red rivers. They 

 are highly gratified with the climate and country, and satisfied 

 with the exchange they have made. From the returns which 

 have been received, it is estimated that about 7000 more will 

 cross the Mississippi this season, and the residue of the tribe, 

 amounting to about 6000, will follow the next. 



&quot; General Coffee has succeeded in concluding a treaty with 

 the Chickasaws, which will lead to their entire removal, and 

 to their location in the west. The basis of this treaty is dif 

 ferent from any heretofore assumed in our negotiations with 

 the Indians. The whole value of the country ceded is assigned 

 to the Chickasaws, and the United States become, in fact, 

 trustees to make the necessary arrangements for their benefit. 



&quot; It is stipulated that the ceded territory shall be surveyed 

 and sold, and the whole proceeds, deducting only the actual 

 expenses, applied to the various objects enumerated, connected 

 with the temporary subsistence, removal, and permanent esta 

 blishment of these Indians. A residuary fund is to be invest 

 ed in some productive stock, and the income to be annually 

 appropriated for the public and private objects stipulated in 

 the treaty. A country for the residence of the tribe is to be 

 provided by themselves, and it is probable they will be able to 

 make a satisfactory arrangement for that purpose with the 

 Chotaws, a kindred people, who are in possession of a much 

 larger district than is required by their numbers. 



&quot; No pecuniary benefit will result to the United States 

 from this treaty ; but should it be ratified, it will constitute an 

 important era in our Indian relations. It will probably lead 

 to the establishment of the principle that, in future cessions of 

 land, the full value shall be secured to the grantors, with such 

 deductions only as may be necessary to carry into effect the 

 object of the treaties. The advantages to be derived by the 

 United States from these arrangements will be limited to the 

 removal of the Indians from their present unsuitable residences, 

 and to their establishment in a region where we may hope to 



