WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1854,
481
these classes there are some sincere professors of religion; but the mass of the Indians are indolent and intemperate, and many of them are degraded and debased." Mr. President, why are not all the Indians in the situation of these few men, who are intelligent, and capable of supporting themselves by labor, and the thrift which is needful in their condition? It is because due encouragement has not been given to them, and because the facilities, promised for ages back have not been advanced. But instead of going on forming upon this nucleus a civilized and Christian community-for we are told there are sincere professors of religion there-instead of aiding and sustaining them, and gathering together there congregations of civilized, industrious, and christianized people, we find their settlements are about to be broken up again, and they sent further into the wilderness; thus destroying the influences which have gradually operated to civilize, and returning them to their primal state of barbarism. Does this become Senators? Does it become Legislators? Does it become a magnanimous and powerful Gov- ernment? Above all, sir, does it become Christians who ac- knowledge the Saviour's maxim, "Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you?" The report of the Commissioner says further: "The necessity of opening an ample western outlet for our rapidly increasing population seems to have been clearly foreseen by this Department." Not only have we the immense amount of land which is already in our possession, but we want an outlet! The Indians received their lands upon a solemn pledge; and it is -now proposed to block them up, to restrain, and circumscribe them within certain limits, which the Government pledged it would never do; and yet it is a great hardship that we should not have an outlet! "The negotiations with the Indians, who will have to be dis- turbed."-clisturbed; sir, that is the word !-"and the arrange- ments necessary for their peaceful and comfortable re-location." If they have required years, with the assistance of annuities, to be comfortably located where they are now, and where they are not really comfortable after years of residence, how long will it take them in their contemplated homes to become even as comfortable as they are now-when they are thrown off from the influences of civilization, and driven to the wilderness, with none
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