democracy in america-1-第101节
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I myself saw in Canada； where the intellectual difference between the two races is less striking； that the English are the masters of commerce and manufacture in the Canadian country； that they spread on all sides； and confine the French within limits which scarcely suffice to contain them。 In like manner； in Louisiana； almost all activity in commerce and manufacture centres in the hands of the Anglo…Americans。
But the case of Texas is still more striking： the State of Texas is a part of Mexico； and lies upon the frontier between that country and the United States。 In the course of the last few years the Anglo…Americans have penetrated into this province； which is still thinly peopled； they purchase land； they produce the commodities of the country； and supplant the original population。 It may easily be foreseen that if Mexico takes no steps to check this change； the province of Texas will very shortly cease to belong to that government。
If the different degrees … comparatively so slight … which exist in European civilization produce results of such magnitude； the consequences which must ensue from the collision of the most perfect European civilization with Indian savages may readily be conceived。＇
The Indians； in the little which they have done； have unquestionably displayed as much natural genius as the peoples of Europe in their most important designs； but nations as well as men require time to learn； whatever may be their intelligence and their zeal。 Whilst the savages were engaged in the work of civilization； the Europeans continued to surround them on every side； and to confine them within narrower limits； the two races gradually met； and they are now in immediate juxtaposition to each other。 The Indian is already superior to his barbarous parent； but he is still very far below his white neighbor。 With their resources and acquired knowledge； the Europeans soon appropriated to themselves most of the advantages which the natives might have derived from the possession of the soil； they have settled in the country； they have purchased land at a very low rate or have occupied it by force； and the Indians have been ruined by a competition which they had not the means of resisting。 They were isolated in their own country； and their race only constituted a colony of troublesome aliens in the midst of a numerous and domineering people。 *t
＇Footnote t： See in the Legislative Documents （21st Congress； No。 89） instances of excesses of every kind committed by the whites upon the territory of the Indians； either in taking possession of a part of their lands； until compelled to retire by the troops of Congress； or carrying off their cattle； burning their houses； cutting down their corn； and doing violence to their persons。 It appears； nevertheless； from all these documents that the claims of the natives are constantly protected by the government from the abuse of force。 The Union has a representative agent continually employed to reside among the Indians； and the report of the Cherokee agent； which is among the documents I have referred to； is almost always favorable to the Indians。 〃The intrusion of whites；〃 he says； 〃upon the lands of the Cherokees would cause ruin to the poor； helpless； and inoffensive inhabitants。〃 And he further remarks upon the attempt of the State of Georgia to establish a division line for the purpose of limiting the boundaries of the Cherokees； that the line drawn having been made by the whites； and entirely upon ex parte evidence of their several rights； was of no validity whatever。＇
Washington said in one of his messages to Congress； 〃We are more enlightened and more powerful than the Indian nations； we are therefore bound in honor to treat them with kindness and even with generosity。〃 But this virtuous and high…minded policy has not been followed。 The rapacity of the settlers is usually backed by the tyranny of the government。 Although the Cherokees and the Creeks are established upon the territory which they inhabited before the settlement of the Europeans； and although the Americans have frequently treated with them as with foreign nations； the surrounding States have not consented to acknowledge them as independent peoples； and attempts have been made to subject these children of the woods to Anglo…American magistrates； laws； and customs。 *u Destitution had driven these unfortunate Indians to civilization； and oppression now drives them back to their former condition： many of them abandon the soil which they had begun to clear； and return to their savage course of life。
＇Footnote u： In 1829 the State of Alabama divided the Creek territory into counties； and subjected the Indian population to the power of European magistrates。
Chapter XVIII： Future Condition Of Three Races … Part III
In 1830 the State of Mississippi assimilated the Choctaws and Chickasaws to the white population； and declared that any of them that should take the title of chief would be punished by a fine of 1；000 and a year's imprisonment。 When these laws were enforced upon the Choctaws； who inhabited that district； the tribe assembled； their chief communicated to them the intentions of the whites； and read to them some of the laws to which it was intended that they should submit； and they unanimously declared that it was better at once to retreat again into the wilds。＇
If we consider the tyrannical measures which have been adopted by the legislatures of the Southern States； the conduct of their Governors； and the decrees of their courts of justice； we shall be convinced that the entire expulsion of the Indians is the final result to which the efforts of their policy are directed。 The Americans of that part of the Union look with jealousy upon the aborigines； *v they are aware that these tribes have not yet lost the traditions of savage life； and before civilization has permanently fixed them to the soil； it is intended to force them to recede by reducing them to despair。 The Creeks and Cherokees； oppressed by the several States； have appealed to the central government； which is by no means insensible to their misfortunes； and is sincerely desirous of saving the remnant of the natives； and of maintaining them in the free possession of that territory； which the Union is pledged to respect。 *w But the several States oppose so formidable a resistance to the execution of this design； that the government is obliged to consent to the extirpation of a few barbarous tribes in order not to endanger the safety of the American Union。
＇Footnote v： The Georgians； who are so much annoyed by the proximity of the Indians； inhabit a territory which does not at present contain more than seven inhabitants to the square mile。 In France there are one hundred and sixty…two inhabitants to the same extent of country。＇
＇Footnote w： In 1818 Congress appointed commissioners to visit the Arkansas Territory； accompanied by a deputation of Creeks； Choctaws； and Chickasaws。 This expedition was commanded by Messrs。 Kennerly； M'Coy； Wash Hood； and John Bell。 See the different reports of the commissioners； and their journal； in the Documents of Congress； No。 87； House of Representatives。＇
But the federal government； which is not able to protect the Indians； would fain mitigate the hardships of their lot； and； with this intention； proposals have been made to transport them into more remote regions at the public cost。
Between the thirty…third and thirty…seventh degrees of north latitude； a vast tract of country lies； which has taken the name of Arkansas； from the principal river that waters its extent。 It is bounded on the one side by the confines of Mexico； on the other by the Mississippi。 Numberless streams cross it in every direction； the climate is mild； and the soil productive； but it is only inhabited by a few wandering hordes of savages。 The government of the Union wishes to transport the broken remnants of the indigenous population of the South to the portion of this country which is nearest to Mexico； and at a great distance from the American settlements。
We were assured； towards the end of the year 1831； that 10；000 Indians had already gone down to the shores of the Arkansas； and fresh detachments were constantly following them； but Congress has been unable to excite a unanimous determination in those whom it is disposed to protect。 Some； indeed； are willing to quit the seat of oppression； but the most enlightened members of the community refuse to abandon their recent dwellings and their springing crops； they are of opinion that the work of civilization； once interrupted； will never be resumed； they fear that those domestic habits which have been so recently contracted； may be irrevocably lost in the midst of a country which is still barbarous； and where nothing is prepared for the subsistence of an agricultural people； they know that their entrance into those wilds will be opposed by inimical hordes； and that they have lost the energy of barbarians； without acquiring the resources of civilization to resist their attacks。 Moreover； the Indians readily discover that the settlement which is proposed to them is merely a temporary expedient。 Who can assure them that they will at length be allowed to dwel
