OCR Text |
Show they would threaten to fight for (food) if it was with-held. These are few among many other difficulties which we have to surmount in our intercourse with the natives and but few of this disposition, still sufficient to disturb the peace of many. Their ignorance and forlorn condition pleads for them; their offences are for the most part trivial, and necessity urges their committal. It is for us therefore, to seek their elevation in the scale of moral as well as temporal existence, before we enforce a rigid compliance on them of our ideas of government and organization of society. Let them be led by the hand of philanthropy and see the benefit arising from civilized existence before we require them to admit claims. Let them realize the superiority of the pursuits of Agriculture and the peaceful avocations of life in procuring subsistence, before we ask them to ground their arms. To enable us to carry out this policy, the correctness of which I consider, will scarcely admit of an argument. Can I not rely upon your influence to have the appropriations increased commensurate at least with our actual expenditures. We ask that the excess for the current year, may find its way into the "deficiency Till" and means for the future be most amply provided. More agents are needed. We should have at least two or three for this Territory- I do not know that it would |