PRELIMINARY DOCUMENTS. 33 



granting permission for that purpose is not given in tlic "act to 

 regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes, and to pre- 

 serve peace on the frontiers," and appears, in fact, to be incon- 

 sistent with its general spirit and objects. To authorize these 

 gentlemen to negotiate with the Indians for such a permission, is 

 contrary to the settled policy which has always been pursued by 

 the United States. I know of no case in which individuals have 

 been or should be permitted to hold any councils with the In- 

 dians, except to procure the extinction of their title to lands, 

 claimed under grants from one of the States. The application 

 here must be to the tribe, because in all their land there is a com- 

 munity of interest, which cannot be severed or conveyed by the 

 acts of individuals. 



But, independent of precedent, there are strong objections to 

 this course in principle. If private persons are authorized to 

 open such negotiations for any object, the Government will find 

 it very difl&cult to procure from the Indians any cession of land 

 upon reasonable terms. 



Were these islands the property of the United States, I think 

 it would be very proper to permit the plaster upon them to be 

 removed by every person making application for that purpose. 

 The supply being inexhaustible, the agricultural interest would 

 be greatly promoted by such a measure, and the dependence upon 

 a foreign country for this important article would be removed. 



I therefore take the liberty of recommending that a cession of 

 these islands be procured by the United States from the Indians. 

 I presume that this may be done without the payment of any 

 annuity to them, and without any expense, except, perhaps, a 

 few trifling presents. The plaster would then be at the disposal 

 of Government, and its free distribution, under such regulations 

 as might be adopted to prevent disputes between the adventurers, 

 or a monopoly by any of them, would be equally proper and 

 beneficial. 



Very respectfully, sir, 



I have the honor to be 



Your most obedient servant, 



LEWIS CASS. 

 Hon. John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War. 



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