ANCIENT INHABITANTS, &c.—BOOK II. 
143 
the Territory of Louisiana .* For these things I must refer the 
reader to the different acts of congress on the subject. Two 
important treaties were formed with the Indians, one with the 
Sacs and Foxes, and the other with the Great and Little Osages. 
If I am asked, whether the ancient inhabitants are more 
contented, or happy, under the new order of things, or have rea¬ 
son to be so, I should consider the question a difficult one, and 
answer it with hesitation. It is not easy to know the secret 
sentiments of men, and happiness is a relative term. It is true., 
I have heard murmurings against the present government, and 
something like sorrowing after that of Spain, which I rather at¬ 
tributed to momentary chagrin, than to real and sincere senti¬ 
ment; besides, this generally proceeds from those who were 
wont to bask in the sunshine of favor. Vet I have not observ¬ 
ed those signs which unequivocally mark a suffering and unhap¬ 
py people. The principal source of uneasiness arises from the 
difficulties of settling the land claimed by the commissioners on 
the part of the United States. The principal inhabitants have- 
lost much of that influence which they formerly possessed, and 
are superseded in trade and in lucrative occupations by stran¬ 
gers; their claims therefore constitute their chief dependence. 
The subject of those claims embraces such a variety of topics, 
that it is not possible to give any correct idea of them in this 
cursory view. It is a subject on which the claimants are feel¬ 
ingly alive. This anxiety is a taeit compliment to our govern¬ 
ment, for under the former, their claims would be scarcely worth 
attention. The general complaint is, the want of sufficient liberal¬ 
ity in determining on the claims. There is (perhaps too great a 
disposition to lean against the larger concessions, some of which 
are certainly very great, but when we consider the trifling value 
of lands under the Spanish government, there will appear less 
reason for this prepossession against them. For many reasons, 
it would not be to the honor of the United States, that too 
much strictness should be required in the proof, or formalities 
* The territory of Orleans has now become the “ state of Louisiana 5 * 
and the “ territory of Louisiana” has been changed to the “territory of 
the Missouri.- 
