WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1855
159
REMARKS ON THE INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL, FEBRUARY 14, 1855 1
Mr. President. As in the discussion of this claim some matters have been brought to light, exposing the injustice which is too frequently practised towards the Indians, I beg the indulgence of the Senate while I make a few remarks. I know the gentlemen for whose benefit this amendment is proposed. He is a man of 1·espectability, and I am not disposed to assail his reputation in the least. I must say, however, that I do not look upon this, or upon any outrage committed upon the Indians as exactly in opposition to the character of a gentle- man. I have seen the honorable Senate ratify treaties with the Indians which were never carried out or executed. I have seen them infracted with perfect impunity by citizens of the United States, and by the officers of the Government. And therefore, it seems to me, that we should not regard an attempt to wrong an Indian, or the Indians, as incompatible with the character of an honest man, and a fair dealer. [Laughter.] I have found it to be so regarded for some fifty years, for I think it is about that far back that my recollection dates distinctly of transactions be- tween the whites and the Indians. I hardly ever knew a man to lose his position, either in society or in office, for cheating the Indians, unless he committed some very flagrant violation of law, which would have exposed the Administration to odium or dis- grace if they did not remove the officer. So far as the facts have been presented in this case, I must say they are not complimen- tary to the fair dealing and sincerity of the agent or attorney, who has been connected with obtaining this money for the Me- nomonee Indians. I will not go beyond the records, sir; I never do go beyond them one inch in speaking of the character of any individual, and I never will while I occupy a place in the Senate. I cannot believe that the Senator from Michigan, in his reliance upon official documents, rendered himself in the slightest degree subject to censure or reprehension. He has a right to rely upon those docu- ments, if they are presented to the Senate, or to the nation at large, for information. He has a right to place a fair construc- tion on them, and to state his just deductions from the facts which they contain, and that, I understand, is all that he has done.
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