TOWARDS THE NATIVES. 
. 159 
cession, or the cheatery of sale, we have unhesitat- 
ingly entered upon, occupied, and disposed of its 
lands, spreading forth a new population over its sur- 
face, and driving before us the original inhabitants. 
To sanction this aggression, we have not, in the 
abstract, the slightest shadow of either right or 
justice — we have not even the extenuation of endea- 
vouring to compensate those we have injured, or the 
merit of attempting to mitigate the sufferings our 
presence inflicts. 
It is often argued, that we merely have taken 
what the natives did not require, or were making no 
use of ; that we have no wish to interfere with them 
if they do not interfere with ns, but rather that we 
are disposed to treat them with kindness and concili- 
ation, if they are willing to be friends with us. 
What, however, are the actual facts of the case ; and 
what is the position of a tribe of natives, when their 
country is first taken possession of by Europeans. 
It is true that they do not cultivate the ground ; 
but have they, therefore, no interest in its produc- 
tions ? Does it not supply grass for the sustenance 
of the wild animals upon which in a great measure 
they are dependent for their subsistence ? — does it 
not afford roots and vegetables to appease their 
hunger ? — water to satisfy their thirst, and wood to 
make their fire ? — or are these necessaries left to them 
by the white man when he comes to take possession 
of their soil ? Alas, it is not so ! all are in turn 
taken away from the original possessors. The 
