Excerpt from Speech of Mr. Sprague, of Maine: Delivered in the Senate of the United States, 16th April, 1830, in Reply to Messrs. White, McKinley, and Forsyth, Upon the Subject of the Removal of the Indians
The following amendment, to the bill for the removal of the Indians, being under consideration:
"Provided always. That until the said tribes or nations shall choose to remove, as by this act is contemplated, they shall be protected in their present possessions, and in the enjoyment of all their rights of territory and government, as heretofore exercised and enjoyed, from all interruptions and encroachments."
Mr. Sprague addressed the Senate, as follows:
Mr. President:
The gentleman, who has just resumed his seat (Mr. Forsyth,) has indulged in a wide range of remark in defence of his State against imputations which he supposed to have been elsewhere cast upon her. This course may have been very proper in him; I fully appreciate the motive which induced it. Bull have no occasion to follow him; I have no wish to derogate in the least from the character of Georgia, but rather that it should be as elevated as her most devoted sons can desire. I shall speak of her so far only as may seem necessary to the free discussion of the subject before us.
This bill and amendment, and the discussion, which they have produced, involve the question of the rights and duties of the United States with respect to the Indian tribes generally, but more especially the Cherokees. With that people we have not less than fifteen treaties. The first made in the year 1785, and the last in 1819.
By several of these treaties, we have unequivocally guarantied to them that they shall forever enjoy -
1st. Their separate existence, as a political community;
2d. Undisturbed possession and full enjoyment of their lands, within certain boundaries, which are duly defined and fully described;
3d. The protection of the United States, against all interference with, or encroachments upon their rights by any people, stale, or nation.
For these promises, on our part, we received ample consideration -
By the restoration and establishing of peace;
By large cessions of territory;
By the promise on their part to treat with no other state or nation and other important stipulations.
These treaties were made with all the forms and solemnities which could give them force and efficacy; by Commissioners, duly appointed with full power; ratified by the Senate; confirmed by the President, and announced to the world, by his proclamation, as the binding compact of the nation, and the supreme law of the land.
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