NYYM_scrapbook_077

With respect to the particular Tract of Country in which the Reservations in question are situate, the title as you may recollect was disputed between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New York, each claiming under Grants or Charters from the Crown of England. In the year 1786 a Convention was held for a settlement of these differeces, which resulted in a cession by New York to Massachusetts of the right of Soil and all other right, except that of Sovereignty and Jurisdiction, in the whole Tract now called the Genesee Country, the right of holding Treaties with the native Indians for the extinguishment of their claims and of granting that right to Purchasers under them, being expressly reserved to Massachusetts. Under this Convention and before any negotiation with the Indians, Massachusetts sold the fee simple of all the Lands in this Tract of Country, part to Gorham and Phelps and part, including these Reservations, to Robert Morris, who again sold to the Holland Company and others. In the year 1797 and subsequent to this last sale, the Indians released to the different proprietors the great bulk of Morris's purchase. The present Reservations are not in- cluded in that release, but remain, as to the Indian claim, in the same situation as they were, when sold by the State of Massachusetts; and as such, were sold, after the Treaty of 1797, by the Holland Company to David A. Ogden, who has since sold, in like manner, to various purchasers under him. It results from what has been said that the Indians have a mere right of possession in these Reservations, which they are incapable of conveying, except to the proprietor of the fee: and that, without his consent, no arrangement can be accomplished, by which to change or modify their present tenure. In making these remarks, I do not wish to be understood as intimating a disinclination on the part of the proprietors, to concur in any reasonable plan calcu- lated to ameliorate the condition of the Indians:on the contrary I am persuaded that such a plan would receive their ready co-operation. For, whatever prejudices may be entertained on this subject, I can conidently assure you, that they are disposed not to oppress or injure this unfortunate race of People, but to act towards them with Equity and Kindness. At the same time, I do not hesitate to declare my entire conviction, that no material progress can be made in the great and benevolent purpose of changing their habits and pursuits, until they shall be removed to a greater distance from Settlements. Experience has shewn conclusively, that wherever Indians have easy opportunities of Intercourse with White People, their Men become Drunkards, and their Women Prostituted; that all the virtues belonging to savage life are extinguished and the low vices of our worst states of Society adopted. The condition of the Indians in the neighbourhood of Buffalo affords a strikin illustration of this Truth. Their depravity is offensive to common decency, and those especially among the Females who profess to become Con- verts to the Christian Faith, are said to be the most aban- doned and shameless in their intercourse with the White Men. Under the circumstances in which they are now placed, it seems to me, that the true Interests of the Indians will be best promoted, either by removing them to a remote situation, prossessing the requisite advantages of soil and climate, where they shall be protected by the Government and secured from the near approach of White Settlement or by concentrating them on one of the reservations they now occupy. In the latter situation they would be under the more immediate care and inspectionof those who may be disposed to take the charge of their instruction; but whether this advantage would not be counterbalanced by the continual approaches of Settlers, deserves consideration.