NYYM_scrapbook_078

If not, the reserved Lands on the Allegany, amounting to upwards of 20,000 Acres appear to me best calculated for their residence. These Lands are very fertile, they skirt both banks of the river for a great distance, and lie at the foot of high and rough mountains, which are little calcu- lated to invite settlements. There the Indians would be in a manner insulated; and their annuities (increased by the sale of the other Tracts) would furnish means to provide Clothing, Farming Implements, and other com- forts connected with civilized life. As the General Government have offered the Indians a Tract of Country to the South West, understood to be very favourably situ- ated, and a great part of the Nation seems bent on remo- val, it would perhaps be most advisable, even if they should accept that offer, that one of the reservations be retained for the accomodation of those who may be averse to that measure, and such as incline to remain, may be allowed to contiunue on the Lands they cultivate till they find it convenient to leave them. The comparative advantages of the old and new Establishments will be ascertained in the course of a few years, and the fostering care of the benevolent can then be bestowed on that which may be found most eligible. In the general view which you and other friends of these Indians may take of their condition and prospects it would be improvided to overlook those considerations of Public Policy and convenience which are inseparably connected with the subject. The sentiments contained in President Monroe's Message, as well as those undertood to be entertained by our State Government seem to forbid equally the long continuance of a state of things by which an extensive Wilderness is to be preserved in the heart of Population and Improvement, and a property which to add to the public resources and prosperity is made to interfere with both. Individual feelings and interests