[Footnote: The American government has been
indefatigable in its exertions to ameliorate the situation of the
Indians, and to introduce among them the arts of civilization and civil
and religious knowledge. To protect them from the frauds of the white
traders, no purchase of land from them by individuals is permitted; nor
is any person allowed to receive lands from them as a present, without
the express sanction of government. These precautions are strictly
enforced.] The current opinion of the Indian character, however, is too
apt to be formed from the miserable hordes which infest the frontiers
and hang on the skirts of the settlements. These are too commonly
composed of degenerate beings, corrupted and enfeebled by the vices of
society, without being benefited by its civilization. That proud
independence which formed the main pillar of savage virtue has been
shaken down, and the whole moral fabric lies in ruins. Their spirits
are humiliated and debased by a sense of inferiority, and their native
courage cowed and daunted by the superior knowledge and power of their
enlightened neighbors.
Pages:
769
770
771
772
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792
793