| OCR Text |
Show ^ 7 The act stated that from time immemorial,_ Hgx ican traders had supplied the Indiana with horses, fire- arms and ammunition, often taking in exchange Indian women and children, who were afterwards sold into slavery. To remedy this evil, the enforoed apprenticeship of Indian children was legalized, when for the purpose of purchasing those who would otherwise have been sold to the Mexicans or abandoned by their parents. The reason for such legislation by territorial authority was explained as follows in preamble to the act which is interesting because it shows the peculiar status of Utah that made settlement there a problem in connection with the Indians: " The acquisition and organization of Utah as a territory by Act of Congress gives a unique char& oter to the government of that territory. It is really Indian territory so far as the right of soil is involved; it is a white legalized government on Indian lands, because the United States laws in relation to intercourse with Indians are designed for and applicable only to _ Utah Territory. Legislative Act of March 6th, 1* 52. |
