name, by the expression of a doubt which branch of this alternative will be embraced. The occasion is now presented when the national character, misunderstood and traduced for a time by foreign and domestic enemies, should be vindicated.

If we have not rushed to a field of battle like the nations who are led by the mad ambition of a single chief or the avarice of a corrupted court, it has not proceeded from a fear of war, but from our love of justice and humanity. That proud spirit of liberty and independence, which sustained our fathers in the successful assertion of their liberties against foreign aggression, is not yet sunk. fire of the revolution still burns in the American breast with a holy and unextinguishable flame, and will conduct this nation to those high destinies, which are not less the reward of dignified moderation, than of exalted valor.

The patriotic

But we have borne with injury until forbearance has ceased to be a virtue. The sovereignty and independence of these States, purchased and sanctified by the blood of our fathers, from whom we received them, not for ourselves only, but as the inheritance of our posterity, are deliberately and systematically violated. And the period has arrived, when, in the opinion of your committee, it is the sacred duty of Congress to call forth the patriotism and resources of the country. By the aid of these, and with the blessing of God, we confidently trust we shall be enabled to procure that redress, which has been sought for by justice, by remonstrance and forbearance, in vain.

Your committee, reserving for a future report those ulterior measures which in their opinion ought to be pursued, would at this time earnestly recommend, in the words of the President, "That the United States be immediately put into an armor and attitude demanded by the crisis, and corresponding with the national spirit and expectations." And to this end, they beg leave to submit for the adoption of the House, the following resolutions:

1. Resolved, That the military establishment as authorized by the existing laws, ought to be immediately completed by filling up the ranks and prolonging the enlistment of the troops; and that to encourage enlistments, a bounty in lands ought to be given in addition to the pay and bounty already allowed by law.

2. That an additional force of ten thousand regular troops ought to be raised to serve for three years; and that a bounty in lands ought to be given to encourage enlist

ments.

3. That it is expedient to authorize the President, under proper regulations, to accept the service of any number of volunteers not exceeding fifty thousand: to be organized, trained and held in readiness to act on such service as the exigences of the Government may require.

4. That the President be authorized to order out from time to time such detachments of militia, as in his opinion the public service may require.

5. That all the vessels not now in service, belonging to the navy and worthy of repairs, be immediately fitted up and put in commission.

6. That it is expedient to permit our merchant vessels owned exclusively by resident citizens, and commanded and navigated solely by citizens, to arm under proper regulations to be prescribed by law, in self-defence, against all unlawful proceedings towards them on the high seas.

REPORT

On the System of Indian Trade, communicated to the House of Representatives, Dec. 8th, 1818.

DEPARTMENT OF WAR, Dec. 5th, 1818.

SIR,-In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 4th of April, 1818, directing the Secretary of War to prepare and report, at their next session, "a system providing for the abolition of the existing Indian trade establishments of the United States, and providing for the opening of the trade with the Indians to individuals, under suitable regulations," I have the honor to make the following report :

The nations of Indians who inhabit this portion of our continent, were, on its first discovery, in a state of the most perfect commercial independence. Their knowledge of the useful arts was, indeed, very limited, but it was commensurate with their wants and desires. With their rude implements of husbandry, their hook and bow, in the construction of which they were well instructed, they drew a scanty, but (for them) a sufficient supply from the soil, the water, and the forest. A great change has since taken place, such as appears to be inevitable by a fixed law of nature, in the intercourse between a civilized and savage people. Helplessness has succeeded independence. While their wants have been greatly multiplied and enlarged by their intercourse with their more civilized neighbors, their knowledge even of their former rude arts has been lost, without acquiring those which are necessary in their new condition. The manufacture of the axe and hoe, by which they now clear and cultivate the soil, and the gun and ammunition, by which they take their game, are far above their skill; and, with the exhaustion of their present stock, without a new supply, they

On trade, then, with

would be reduced to extreme want. those from whom they can draw these and other supplies, they are wholly dependent. We have the exclusive right to trade with those within our limits; and cut off, as the Southern tribes are, by our acquisition in the late war, from intercourse with foreigners on the side of the Gulf of Mexico, we have the means, by a proper extension of our posts on the lakes, the Mississippi, and the Missouri (to effect which, measures have already been taken), to enforce effectually, without much additional expense, this important right. The period seems, then, to have arrived to give to our control over the Indians, through an exclusive supply of their wants, the greatest efficiency, and to promote their and our interests, by a judicious system of trade fairly and justly

directed.

A similar view of this branch of our trade seems to have been taken at an early period by our Government. It directed its attention to this interesting and important subject as early as the year 1773) when a committee was appointed by Congress, to devise a plan for carrying on trade with the Indians. In the next year a very considerable purchase of goods was directed to be made for the Indian trade; and trade with them, except under license and bond, was strictly prohibited. The subject was frequently acted on during the confederation, but no systematic effort was made to regulate it till 1786, when an ordinance was passed, dividing the Indian Department into two districts, and appointing a superintendent with a deputy to each. It was made their duty to execute such regulations as Congress might establish in relation to Indian affairs; to correspond with the Secretary of War, through whom their communications were directed to be made to Congress; to obey the instructions of the War Department; and to grant licenses to trade with Indians. This ordinance directed that no license should be granted to foreigners, and only to citizens whose good moral character

should be certified by the Governor of a State, under the seal of the State; and that bonds should be given to conform to established regulations. Licenses were granted, to continue in force for one year only, and upon the payment of $50. To trade without a license incurred a penalty of $500, and forfeiture of goods. The superintendents and

their deputies were prohibited from engaging in trade.

The change in the form of the Government a few years after the passing of this ordinance, and the debility into which public affairs fell about the termination of the confederation, prevented this judicious system from being carried into effect.

Under the present constitution, the subject of Indian trade attracted the attention of Congress as early as the year 1790. The system of trade by licenses was retained, which were directed to be granted for two years, by persons to be appointed by the President, to applicants of good character, who gave bonds to conform to regulations; and to trade without license was subjected to a forfeiture of merchandise. The act contains no prohibitions of foreigners, and requires nothing to be paid for the licenses. In the years 1793 and 1796 acts were passed very similar in their provisions to the one just recited; and in the year 1802 an act repealing former acts, and which still continues in force, was passed. It inflicts a fine of $100, and imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, in addition to the forfeiture of goods, for trading without license, and directs licenses to be granted on bond, with sufficient security, to conform to law and regulations, without making a good character or citizenship a requisite.

By an act of 1816 (the last passed on this subject), foreigners are prohibited from trading with the Indians, except permitted by the President, and under such regulations as he should establish. Instructions have been given under this act to prohibit foreigners from passing into the Indian