Search

The undersigned having been appointed a committee to prepare an address to you, on the subject of Foreign naturalization in the United States, have endeavored to perform that duty with a deep and solemn conviction of the importance and responsibility of the trust which has been confided to their hands.

The 1819 Treaties of Edwardsville and Fort Harrison required the Kickapoo to vacate their lands in Illinois and move west. Two renegade bands of about 250 Indians each repudiated the treaties and remained, but by very different means. Kickapoo Resistance

Although both of these documents address concern for the fair treatment of Native American peoples, the two documents are considerably different. The excerpt from the report of the Indian Peace Commission proposes few specific reforms, but simply expresses dismay at the mistreatment of the Indians and the public's general disregard for Indian affairs. This report argues that, to many Americans, government Indian policy is aimed only at obtaining Indian land. The Peace Commission does recommend education of the Indians as a way of promoting peaceful co-existence between Indians and settlers.

The conflict between America's westward expansion and the rights of Native American tribes in the path of this expansion was always a difficult one. Ultimately, Native American societies were simply swept aside by the superior numbers, economic power, and military capabilities of the American settlers. During the colonial period and for some decades after the American Revolution, however, various Native American tribes were in a position to deal with the United States from a certain position of strength. For example, Cherokee communities thrived until the presidency of Andrew Jackson, and the Seminole in Florida defeated the United States Army on several occasions.

By the mid-1800’s the vast area of land claimed by the Sioux Nation was subjected to inexorable pressures from America’s westward expansion, which accelerated after the end of the Civil War in 1865. Pioneers, settlers, farmers, gold prospectors, railroads, and the army all encroached on Sioux territory. Inevitably, armed conflict between whites and Indians occurred. Attempts to arrive at a peaceful solution and compromise, such as the treaties of 1851, 1865, and 1866, provided only short-lived respites. Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 Sioux

During the mid-nineteenth century the continuing rush of covered wagon immigrants across the Great Plains of the United States began to have an unsettling effect on American Indian tribes living there. Wild game was driven out and grasslands were being cropped close by the immigrants’ cattle and horses. U.S. government policy provided some reimbursement to Indians for losses of game, grass, and land caused by the continuing influx of white settlers. In 1847, Thomas Fitzpatrick was appointed the first U.S. government representative to the various nomad tribes of the High Plains. Aware of the mounting losses and the potential for Indian uprisings against the settlers, Fitzpatrick campaigned long and hard for congressional funding to help alleviate growing tensions. Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851

The nineteenth century represents a pivotal point in Indian-white relations. Indian tribes went from being independent nations to being treated as wards of the United States. The U.S. government reduced Indian rights and freedoms until they almost disappeared. Indian-white relations—U.S., 1831-1870[Indian white relations—U.S., 1831-1870]