CHAPTER XI.

ABOMINABLE ABUSE OF POWER IN OUR RELATIONS WITH THE INDIANS.

Protection guarantied by treaty to the Indians-Some extracts from these trea-
ties-How interpreted by Mr. Calhoun-Trampled upon by General Jackson-
A Circular Address to the Indians-A very essential modification-A thrust at
the Cherokees-Newspaper comments-Dr. Randolph in the fidgets-Leave of
absence Dismissed from office-Charges of defalcation-Four years persecu-
tion-Mr. Berrien's influence in the treatment of the Cherokees-The treaty (?)
of New Euchota-Repudiated by the Cherokees-Force to be employed-Ge-
neral Scott-Ridge's apology for the New Euchota treaty-Formation of a new
government west of the Mississippi-The Ridges and Boudinot killed-Refusal
to recognize the Cherokee delegation at Washington-My interview with
Mr. Poinsett-A new treaty proposed-Mr. Van Buren's objections-A diplo-
matic way of getting round them—A plan proposed to bring the Seminole war
to a close-More diplomacy, ending in treachery-Vindication of John Ross-
Further developments of the injustice done to the Cherokees-The treaty of
Payne's Landing-Jackson's “talk”-Outrages upon the Florida Indians-In-
dian talk-Micanopy-Jumper-Osceola-The mad policy which provoked the
Florida war..

256

MEMOIRS.

CHAPTER I.

PUBLIC OFFICE—ITS DUTIES, DIFFICULTIES AND DANGERS. First appointment to office-System of government trade with the Indians-Trading companies and individuals-Contrast between the two systems-American Fur Company-John Jacob Astor-Missouri Fur Company-Difficulty of supplying the factories during the war-Unsuitable stock on hand at its closeLoss in disposing of it-Satisfaction of the Indians on receiving the new supplies Clerks in the office-Miles, the trusty messenger—Inestimable value of competent and faithful clerks-Folly and wickedness of proscription-Transfer of the property of the Indian trade establishment-Increase of the capital-Assailed by Mr. Benton-The reply-Mr. Monroe's opinion-Payment of Indian annuities-Caution in keeping the accounts-Charged with defalcation-Mysterious disappearance of vouchers-Duplicates produced-Accounts settled— Charges of defalcation reiterated-Rules adopted in purchasing articles for the Indians-Anonymous charges of favoritism-Discomforts of office-Accounts kept open.

I owe my first connection with our Indian relations, and the first civil trust conferred upon me, to the confidence of PRESIDENT MADISON, who, unsolicited by myself, and, so far as I know, by any one for me, honored me, on the 2d April, 1816, with the commission of "Superintendent of the United States Indian Trade with the Indian Tribes." I had been informed, a few days previous, of the intention of President Madison to call me to the discharge of the duties of this office, but had never spoken to him on the