538 INDIAN LAND CESSIONS IN THE UNITED STATES [eth.akn. 18 



now supports more 'than a million families, would be assigned to 1,025 

 lordly savages. 



It is apparent, therefore, that the requirements of the human race 

 and the march of civilization could not permit such an apportionment 

 of the soil of the American continent as this, even were the estimates 

 trebled. It is true that practically no such equal distribution of the 

 lands as that mentioned would be possible. Moreover, it is also true 

 that some portions are unsuitable for the ordinary purposes of life; 

 but the supposition given will be understood as an illustration of tlie 

 theory of the Indian claim, and is correct in principle. That a popula- 

 tion whose territorial needs would be am])ly supjilied by the area 

 embraced in the single state of Illinois should, on the score of being 

 the first occupants of the country, be allowed the exclusive use of tlie 

 whole territory of the United States is inconsistent with any true 

 theory of natural rights. Moreover, it is not re(juired by humanity, 

 religioTi, nor any principle of human rights. This must be conceded. 

 But what is the necessary consequence of such concession? 



There were few, if any, areas in the United States which the Indians 

 did not claim. If this claim could not be admitted in its entirety as 

 a just and valid one; if it could not be admitted as a just bar to 

 any settlements by other i)eoi)Ies; if civilization could not consent to 

 such a claim, where should the restriction begin? How should it be 

 accomplished? Who should fix the metes and bounds and who decide 

 the proper apportionment? This brings us back precisely to the 

 point which the European settlers on the continent were forced to meet, 

 and where the governments to which they pertained were forced to 

 act, whether they did so in accordance with a settled theory and policy 

 or not. 



FOREIGN POIjICY TOWARD THE INDIANS 



In the preceding section attention is called to the principle main- 

 tained by the United States and by other civilized governments in 

 regard to the rights of the Indians to the soil. As theory and practice 

 are not necessarily identical and are sometimes quite variant from each 

 other, reference will now be made to the policy and methods adopted 

 in putting into practical operation this theory. However, to cover the 

 range of acquisitions from the Indians of land within the bounds of the 

 United States, it will be necessary to refer not only to the policy of 

 the Government since the adoption of its constitution, but also to that 

 of the colonies and of the other powers from which territory has been 

 obtained by the United States. 



It will perhaps be best to begin with the policy of the powers from 

 which territory has been obtained by the United States since the adop- 

 tion of the constitution. By so doing the policy adopted by the col- 

 onies can be connected with that of the United States without being 

 interrupted by reference to that of other governments. 



