WRITINGS ·oF SAM HousrnN, 1854
479
The troops advanced to within two hundred yards of the Indians, when a halt was called. At that time an Indian stepped out from the camp, drew up his gun, and knocked over the officer in command. Another Indian then shot the officer's horse. After this they immediately packed up and made their escape. Not a single Indian was taken. But what a scene was presented when the troops entered the camp. There lay the body of Mrs. White, pierced through with an arrow, warm, but lifeless; and all this was the result of too hasty action, or lack of judgment, on the part of the officer in command. Now, if we expect to civilize the Indians, or to give peace to our frontiers under circumstances of this kind, I must confess that the expectation is, in my opinion, unfounded. It may be urged, Mr. President, that but one little tribe, to whom perpetual pledges have been given, is now proposed to be included within the Territory of Nebraska. If ther_e is a pledge which is sacred in its character, given by this Government, what care you about its magnitude? If you measure truth by the standard of morality, I should think a little falsehood is as great as a large one. One may effect the character of individuals and communities to a larger extent than another, but as far as the honesty is concerned, I can see no difference. I wish to refer to the report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, which I think casts some light upon this subject, and shows that there is no necessity for the organization of this Territory at this time. In his very able annual report, he says: "By a provision contained in an act of Congress approved the 3d of March last, the President was authorized to enter into negotiations with the Indian tribes west of the States of Missouri and Iowa, for the purpose of procuring their assent to the settlement of our citizens upon the lands claimed by them, and of extinguishing their title, in whole or in part, to those lands." The "title" of the Indians is acknowledged, it will be perceived. He continues: "The Commissioner of Indian Affairs was designated by the President as the officer of the Indian Department.to conduct the necessary negotiations, and that duty was undertaken by him at the earliest period consistent with his other official engagements." After stating what tribes he visited, he proceeds to say: "The Commissioner held councils with every tribe whom he visited, and declared to them the object of his journey to their country. He found the Indian mind in an unfavorable condition
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