Kaaterskill Books Archives - Rare Book Insider

Kaaterskill Books

  • Showing all 21 results

book (2)

Message from the President of the United States, to the two Houses of Congress, at the commencement of the first session of the Twenty-First Congress. December 8, 1829. Printed by order of the House of Representatives of the United States

32 pp. 8vo. 21st Congress, 1st session, Doc. no 1 and 2. Includes both Jackson's message and the Report of the Secretary of War. While Jackson began his first message by recommending direct election of the president as well as term limits for federal officeholders, the most important item is Jackson's statement on the native peoples in light of their attempt to set up independent governments in the southern states: "The condition and ulterior destiny of the Indian Tribes within the limits of some of our States, have become objects of much interest and importance. It has long been the policy of Government to introduce among them the arts of civilization, in the hope of gradually reclaiming them from a wandering life. This policy has, however, been coupled with another, wholly incompatible with its success. Professing a desire to civilize and settle them, we have, at the same time, lost no opportunity to purchase their lands, and thrust them further into the wilderness. By this means they have not ortly been kept in a wandering state, but been led to look upon us as unjust and indifferent to their fate. Thus, though lavish in its expenditures upon the subject, Government has constantly defeated its own policy; and the Indians, in general, receding further and further to the West, have retained their savage habits. A portion, however, of the Southern tribes, having mingled much with the whites, and made some progress in the arts of civilized life, have lately attempted to erect an independent government, within the limits of Georgia and Alabama. These States, claiming to be the only Sovereigns within their territories, extended their laws over the Indians ; which induced the latter to call upon the United States for protection.There is no constitutional, conventional, or legal provision, which allows them less power over the Indians within their borders, than is possessed by Maine or New York. Actuated by this view of the subject, I informed the Indians inhabiting parts of Georgia and Alabama, that their attempt to establish an independent government would not be countenanced by the Executive of the United States; and advised them to emigrate beyond the Mississippi, or submit to the laws of those States.As a means of effecting this end, I suggest, for your consideration, the propriety of setting a part an ample district West of the Mississippi, and without the limits of any State or Territory, now formed, to be guarantied to the Indian tribes, as long as they shall occupy it: each tribe having a distinct control over the portion designated for its use. There they may be secured in the enjoyment of governments of their own choice, subject to no other control from the United States than such as may be necessary to preserve peace on the frontier, and between the several tribes. There the benevolent may endeavor to teach them the arts of civilization; and, by promoting union and harmony among them, to raise up an interesting commonwealth, destined to perpetuate the race, and to attest the humanity and justice of this Government." The result was the deadly journey known as the Trail of Tears. American Imprints 41240.