Page 299 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

SKETCH OB THE BROTHERTOWN INDIANS. 295

the Legislature passed several acts which were intended as ZI
safe-guard to their rights and property. This code had its de-
sired effect for a while, but at length the genius of the ever-
restless pale-face discovered flaws in said code, of which they
took advantage, and immediately commenaed trespassing, by
cutting and carrying away much valuable timber. This, of
course, led to much litigation, which, in the end, was almost
sure to prove disastrous to the poor Indian ; for the white man
could carry away fifty or a hundred dollars worth of timber,
and when sued, the Indian would obtain a sixpenny judgment
against him. And, even if anything like a righteous judgment
was obtained, the trespasser would carry the suit up, and thus
again the Indian would, in the end, make a losing business, in
the shape of lawyers' fees. Added to all of these discourage-
ments, intemperance began to prevail, to an alarming extent,
among the Nation. What mas to be done ? Annihilation be-
gan again to stare them in the face, as it had formerly done
on the Atlantic coast. Once more the subject of seeking out a
new home in the Far West, was agitated and fairly discussed,
and, after the most mature deliberation, the Brothertowns con-
cluded to send delegates to treat with some of their red breth-
ren of the West, for a portion of their lands. An attempt was
first made in Indiana, which failed, though two or three indi-
viduals succeeded in obtaining a half section of land each, by a
clause in the treaty with the Delawares in 1818. These indi-
vidual tracts wero sold by the parties, by consent of the Presi-
dent of the United States, but unfortunately for the purchasers,
and their successors, the heirs of said Indians who obtained and
sold said half seations, discovered, a few years ago, that there
was some want of legality in the purchase by the whites, and
the said heirs-at-law set up a claim to the said lands, and the
question is now at issue between them and the whites, who are
in possession, and who will probably finally triumph.
About the same time above spoken of, the Stockbridge,
Munsee, Seneca, Tuscarora, and Oneida tribes were negotia-