Secretary of War, and receiving for answer that he had not, I directed that such unauthorized liberties should be granted to no one.

The next day General Houston entered my office through the door leading to the clerk's room, in a highly excited state, and demanded to know if I had forbidden to him the use of such papers as he might want. I replied-I have given such orders. He gave vent to much threatening, and retired, grating his teeth, saying, " You shall suffer for it." I reported to the Secretary of War the nature of this interview; told him that I had directed my chief clerk to allow no one, without his orders, to take from the office any paper belonging to it, as I felt myself responsible for the safe-keeping of the records, &c. I received no answer; but pointing to a sofa which was in the room, the secretary said, "There are some papers;" (and I think a letter-book,) "you had better take them." I did so, and restored them to their proper places. Mr. Hambleton told me these were the papers that had been taken from the office by General Houston.

The conclusion of all this ration business, was, to recognize no one who had made proposals; but, overlooking the bids that had been made, the duty of providing the rations for the emigrating Indians was referred to the Subsistence Department.

Whether before, or after this transaction, I forget, my chief clerk, Mr. Hambleton, came into my room one morning, soon after I had taken my seat at my table, and putting his hands upon it, leaned over. I looked up, and saw his eyes were full of tears! To my question-Is anything the matter, Mr. Hambleton? "Yes, sir-I am pained to inform you, that you are to be displaced to-day! We all feel it. Our connexion has been one of unbroken harmony ; nd we are grieved at the thought of a separation. The resident has appointed General Thompson, a member of Congress, of Georgia-he boards at my mother's, and I

have it from himself. He says I shall remain, but the rest of the clerks he shall dismiss, to make room for some of the President's friends."

Well, Mr. H., I replied, it is what I have been constantly looking for. Your annunciation does not at all surprise me; indeed, it puts an end to my suspense; and, apart from the pain of leaving you all, and the thought that others are to be cut adrift, as well as myself, I feel relieved. He walked a few times across my room, and then retired to his, which joined mine. Two hours after, I heard walking, and earnest talking in the passage. They continued for half an hour. When they ceased, Mr. Hambleton came into my room, his face all dressed in smiles, saying, "It is not to be!" What is not to be? "You are not to go out. When General Thompson came to the secretary this morning, with the President's reference to him, to assign him to your place, he was told, before he could act, he (the secretary) must see the President. The result of the secretary's interview with the President was, you were to be retained, and General Thompson is referred back to the President, for explanation, &c. Thompson is in a rage about it—and among other things said, "It's a pretty business, indeed, that Eaton thinks he can command a frigate, and I can't manage a cock-boat!”

CHAPTER X.

PLANS FOR IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF THE INDIANS HINDRANCES IN THE WAY OF THEIR EXECUTION.

Organization of" the Indian Board" at New York-Address before the Indian Board-Claims of the Indians presented-Massasoit-Pocahontas-Benevolent designs of the Pilgrims-Obstacles to be overcome—' —The Indian vindicated— The Indian a victim to the vices of civilization-Some of the obstacles to his improvement removed-His anticipated progress-Destiny of our country— Duty to the Indians-Views of President John Quincy Adams-Different views of emigration-Diminution of the tribes-Some wholly exterminated— An erroneous impression corrected-Terms of the proposed removal-Imaginary talk with the Indians-Conclusion-Letter of "the Indian Board" to the Executive-Reply by General Eaton-Comment upon this correspondence— Total failure of the objects of this organization-The causes of this failure— Protection promised the Indian-Promise fulfilled by force.

In July of the year 1829, the Secretary of War responded to a call made upon him by an association of distinguished and benevolent citizens (chiefly clergymen and laymen of the Dutch Reformed Church) of New York, for my presence in that city, and services, in aiding them in the formation of a Board whose object was, to advance the interest, and promote the well-being of the Indians, by authorizing me to meet them. These intelligent and philanthropic gentlemen saw the increasing dangers by which the Indians within our States and organized Territories were surrounded; and contemplated, with anxious solicitude, the perishing result, in the total extinction of the portions of this race who were thus situated, and sought to save them, by the only means which they believed were adapted to so noble an object; and these were, by a proper enlightening of the Indians, to procure their assent to