CHAPTER XV.

GENERAL REMARKS ON THE CIVILIZATION OF THE INDIANS.

IT may perhaps be said, on the subject of civilizing the North American Indians, that it is easier to state objections to the efforts which have hitherto been made for that purpose, than to suggest plans not liable to similar animadversion. It may be thought that no good can arise from attempting to shew the inefficiency of one system of proposed improvement, without substituting a better in its place. This, in some cases, may be true; but, amidst the difficulties which are every where admitted to exist on this subject, benefit may arise from experience; and, by shewing the errors of former periods, similar faults may in future be avoided, and ultimate success rendered more attainable. Yet, however much the early systems which were pursued with respect to the Indians may be pronounced blameable, it must be acknowledged, that to propose in their stead any specific plan distinctly calculated at the present moment to effect the beneficial objects which all parties wish to promote, is fraught with extreme difficulty.

This very difficulty, however, ought to convince us that the object can only be attained

by slow and gradual steps; for it is evident that we have not only to combat the native prejudices of the Indians, but to effect the more difficult task of making them forget the impressions we had already given them. Were it possible for the Indian of North America happily to lose all knowledge or traditionary remembrance of the interference imprudently exerted in behalf of his race for two centuries were it practicable to replace him at once in that state of total ignorance with respect to the Christians in which he was situated when first discovered by them, it would be far easier at the present time to teach him Christianity, and to effect his civilization. Measures cannot now be adopted with regard to him as to an unbiassed stranger: on the contrary, his educa`tion and feelings strongly tend to make him repose little confidence in those Europeans who would be disposed to exert themselves for his benefit.

Many of those writers in America who have of late years turned their attention to this subject, think there is little prospect of success when the Indians are mixed with the white population; but that the result would probably be favourable if they were located in districts or reservations of their own, with the aid of such establishments among them as might tend to promote their general improve

ment.

These writers complain bitterly of many of the white people who resort to the Indian countries

within and along the frontiers of the United States. Dr. Morse observes, that "The success of these efforts (to civilize the Indians) has doubtless been much obstructed by the influence of depraved white. people who have insinuated themselves among the Indians, and whose interest it is to keep them ignorant, and whose exertions, of course, would be against all improvement."* Mr. Nuttall, in his Travels. into the Arkansaw Country of Louisiana, in 1819, also remarks, that some of the white people settled there, as well as the generality of those who till lately inhabited the banks of the Arkansaw, bear the worst moral character imaginable, being many of them renegadoes from justice, and such as have forfeited the esteem of civilized society." The natives readily follow the example of these lawless and dissolute rovers, as mentioned by Mr. Hunter, in noticing the same Indian countries of the United States, while, unfortunately, they have no good examples put before them which might tend to counteract the contagion. "I repeat," says he, "that the benevolent of our race trust their hopes of benefiting the Indians on a sandy foundation, so long as this kind of intercourse is tolerated." And again, "Before any permanent good effects can result

*

Morse's Indian Report, p. 26.

+ Nuttall's Travels into the Arkansaw Territory, ch. 9. Hunter's Memoirs, ch. 4.

to the Indians from the beneficent but mistaken effects of the numerous associations organized for their civilization in various parts of the world, all their intercourse with this class of people should be broken off."*

It is certainly extremely difficult, if not almost impracticable, for the law to reach these distant and detached violators of it; but, unless means are taken to prevent the settling of such people among the Indians, it need not be expected that much progress can be made in the improvement of the native population. It will be wiser to take every possible means to prevent them from going among the Indians at all, and to encourage the Indians themselves to prohibit their approach, than to expect that any legal restraint will keep them from those lawless practices with which they are so constantly charged.

It has been often observed, in considering the state of the North American Indians, that the endeavours to civilize and to convert them, should be carried on at the same time. "Civilization and religion," says the Reverend Mr. Sergeant, the missionary, "must go hand in hand; as I have read with regard to Africa, the plough and the Bible must go together." But this is extremely questionable. It is much more probable that the attempt to convert the adult Indian to Christianity, should invariably

* Hunter's Memoirs, ch. 15.

be preceded by an endeavour to improve his habits, and promote his general advancement. It is more likely that his civilization has been obstructed by the steps taken to convert him, than that his own tardiness in being converted should be attributed to any want of docility in becoming civilized. Mr. Tudor, in his interesting Letters on the Eastern States, observes, "A strong reason against commencing the attempts at civilization exclusively with religious instruction, is the opposition that will be offered by Indian superstition. The Indians, particularly the highest and least vitiated among them, are attached to their own notions, some of which are the soundest principles of natural religion. They are very apt to confound our religion with the evils our society has brought upon them; and their prophets take every occasion to excite their distrust of our missionaries."* A similar feeling appears to have influenced the Seneca chief, Red Jacket, in his address to the governor of New York, which has already been adverted to. After expressing his gratitude for the means which had been furnished to enable them to plough and to sow, he added, that they had no wish to change their religion. "Each nation," says he, " has its own cus

* Tudor's Letters on the Eastern States of North America, let. 12.

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