The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume I

155

WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1830

spelling is with two e's-McKenney. See Houston's article, signed Tah-Lohn- Tusky, July 7, 1830, concerning misconduct of agents sent to serve the Indians. See U.S. House Reports, 22d Cong., 1st Sess., Doc. No. 502. 0 See Ibid.

TAH-L0HN-Tus-l{Y ON THE INDIANS'

[June 22, 1830.]

For the A rkansct,S Gazette

THE INDIANS! - CHAPTER FIRST There is a point of endurance in human suffering, beyond which submission is meanness, and silence would be worse than base slavishness. To remedy trifling evils, requires some effort; how much greater, then, must be the exertion necessary to over- come vast evils, when a whole community experience the anguish of hope deferred, and promises violated or totally disregarded. For any individual to undertake, singly, the achievement of any thing truly valuable to mankind, without the hope of a just and faithful cooperation of those in power, would be as vain as it would be ridiculous. But there is a polar star always existing in the_moral, as well as the physical world, which should regulate the course of the mariner, sailing on either ocean. My course will be directed to the genius, integrity, and intelligence, of the President of the United States, as the polar guides, which are to conduct the Philanthropist to that haven, whfoh will secure to the Indians justice and stay the hand of their rapacious and cruel oppressors. The Indians were in,duced to migrate to Arkansas-first, by the promises of Jefferson, supported by the treaties of Monroe, and again renewed and strengthened by those of Adams. They con- fided in the pledges given, and to the acceptance of which they were invoked by the courtesies of the Government and the kind expressions of its officers-avowing as the object of the whites- the preservation of the Indian tribes-the communication of civ- ilization, intelligence, and morality-perfected into bliss, by the aids of Christ's holy 1·eligfon. These were exalted motives---such as would reflect real benefits on the Indians, and throw back upon the cha1·acter of the United States, honor and the brightest sun- shine of national glory. It would associate well with the highest achievements of heroism and intelligence that have ever em- blazoned the American character! It would sustain the integrity

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