WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1855
160
[Mr. Stuart disclaimed personal knowledge of the facts alleged in the documents.] Mr. Houston. Well, sir, throwing out of view entirely indi- vidual character in this matter, I should feel disposed to say that this claim ought not to be paid out of the annuities of the Indians. If injustice has been done to them, if money has been withheld from them to which they were justly entitled, that fact, in my opinion, will not justify the Government of the United States in deducting from the annuities of the Indians the amount which this individual may be entitled to claim for his agency in obtain- ing for them what was clearly their right. It was the duty of the Government to see that justice was done to the Indians. It had the power of controlling them. It had the making of their treaties without a yea or nay on their part. Then, if the Gov- ernment withheld justice from them, but reluctantly at a subse- quent period, when the injustice became manifest, paid what was due the Indians, in order to redeem the character of the United States from shame, it is bound, it seems to me, to pay the indi- vidual whose agency has been instrumental in achieving this justice to the Indians. The Government should pay it out of the Treasury of the United States, and it would be an act of dishonor and dishonesty to deduct it from the annuities of the Indians. Acknowledge that injustice was done to the Indians, and that they were for years complaining of it, and that justice was finally tardily conceded to them; why should you make them pay for the expense of the reparation which you ought long ago to have made to them? Sir, the Government is bound to pay it, and the Indians' annuities should not be taxed with it. If this individual, or any other, has had any agency in pro- curing justice for the Indians, I would not only pay him the actual worth of his services, but I would pay him one hundred per centum more, and let him go; but I would not charge the Indians with it. Admit their incompetency to transact their own affairs, should they not be protected against extortion? I shall never vote for the claim in the shape in which it is now presented. These are my opinions in relation to the justice that has been done these Indians. I think it would be a disgrace to this Gov- ernment to withhold this small pittance from the money of the Indians. If the claim is just, pay it out of your own Treasury; do not saddle the Indians with it. Now, it is a fact which, I believe, is conceded, that Mr. Thomp- son, z in a letter to the Menomonees, did charge the late chief of
I
..
Powered by FlippingBook