WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1854,
482
but harpies to pursue them, or rob them, as chance may happen? The report continues: "The arrangem~nts necessary for their peaceful and comfort- able re-location, requiring time and deliberation, it is to be re- gretted that the authority and means for the accomplishment of the object were not given more in advance of the exigency which has occurred, and which appears to require proceedings of a more precipitate character than should have been permitted to become necessary." Sir, it seems, then; that this is not to be done with grace; this robbery is not to be perpetrated handsomely. Was it ever anticipated that there would be a continual pressure upon the Indians, so as to render it necessary to disturb them "precipi- tately"? Sir, I am opposed to any disturbance of the kind,.par- ticularly when our national faith is pledged against it. The Commissioner further says : "In addition to this, the preparation· of a !arge district of that country for settlement, by the removal of the Indians, would open it, in a most desirable locality, homes for the enterprising and hardy pioneers who are ready to occupy it, and by their energies speedily found a State, the beneficial influences of which, from its position, would be of incalculable advantage to the Indian, as well as the Government and people of the United States." How is this to be of "incalculable advantage" to the Indians, when they give up their territory, and have no connection with the proposed State, but are removed away from its influences? I cannot perceive how it is to be so. They are to be driven from what is now a comparatively comfortable home, to the wilderness; and there have to run the chances of ever acquiring another, even a temporary residence for awhile, only to prepare themselves to be removed again. This is the only advantage which I can perceive. But, according to the Commissioner, there is no necessity for any bill of this kind at this time. He says, in speaking of the treaties which it will be necessary to make to vacate this T~·- ritory for the white people: "These treaties can, it is believed, all be made in the months of April and May next, and submitted to the Senate in ample time for Congress to establish a: civil government at its next session." But this bill does not propose to wait the extinguishment of the Indian title. We are forming a Territory in advance of its extinguishment, and we are forming it in violation of a pledge,
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