pewas, with the extensive purchases of Indian lands during the present year, have rendered the speedy and successful result of the long established policy of the government upon the subject of Indian affairs entirely certain. The occasion is, therefore, deemed a proper one to place this policy in such a point of view as will exonerate the government of the United States from the undeserved reproach which has been cast upon it through several successive administrations. That a mixed occupancy of the same territory, by the white and red man, is incompatible with the safety or happiness of either, is a position in respect to which there has long since ceased to be room for a dif ference of opinion. Reason and experience have alike demonstrated its impracticability. The bitter fruits of every attempt heretofore to overcome the barriers interposed by nature, have only been destruction, both physical and moral, to the Indian; dangerous conflicts of authority between the federal and state governments; and detriment to the individual prosperity of the citizens, as well as to the general improvement of the country. The remedial policy, the principles of which were

settled more than thirty years ago, under the administration of Mr. Jefferson, consists in an extinction, for a fair consideration, of the title to all the lands still occupied by the Indians within the states and territories of the United States; their removal to a country west of the Mississippi much more extensive, and better adapted to their condition than that on which they then resided; the guarantee to them, by the United States, of their exclusive possession of that country for ever, exempt from all intrusions by white men, with ample provisions for their security against external violence and internal dissensions, and the extension to them of suitable facilities for their advancement in civilization. This has not been the policy of particular administrations only, but of each in succession since the first attempt to carry it out under that of Mr. Monroe. All have laboured for its accomplishment, only with different degrees of success. The manner of its execution has, it is true, from time to time given rise to conflicts of opinion and unjust imputations; but in respect to the wisdom and necessity of the policy itself, there has not, from the beginning, existed a doubt

in the mind of any calm, judicious, disinterested friend of the Indian race, accustomed to reflection and enlightened by experience.

EXTRACT FROM THE THIRD ANNUAL MESSAGE OF MARTIN VAN BUREN.

DECEMBER 2, 1839.

I regret to be obliged to inform you that no convention for the settlement of the claims of our citizens upon Mexico has yet been ratified by the government of that country. The first convention formed for that purpose was not presented by the President of Mexico for the approbation of its Congress, from a belief that the King of Prussia, the arbitrator in case of disagreement in the joint commission to be appointed by the United States and Mexico, would not consent to take upon himself that friendly office. Although not entirely satisfied with the course pursued by Mexico, I felt no hesitation in receiving, in the most conciliatory spirit, the explanation offered, and also cheerfully consented to a new convention, in order

to arrange the payments proposed to be made to our citizens in a manner which, while equally just to them, was deemed less onerous and inconvenient to the Mexican government. Relying confidently upon the intentions of that government, Mr. Ellis was directed to repair to Mexico, and diplomatic intercourse has been resumed between the two countries. The new convention has, he informs us, been recently submitted by the President of that republic to its Congress, under circumstances which promise a speedy ratification; a result which I cannot allow myself to doubt.

EXTRACT FROM THE FOURTH ANNUAL MESSAGE OF MARTIN VAN BUREN.

DECEMBER 5, 1840.

The suppression of the African Slave Trade has received the continued attention of the government. The brig Dolphin and schooner Grampus have been employed during the last season on the coast of Africa, for the purpose of preventing such portions of that trade as were said to be prosecuted

under the American flag. After cruising on those parts of the coast most usually resorted to by slavers, until the commencement of the rainy season, these vessels returned to the United States for supplies, and have since been despatched on a similar service.

From the reports of the commanding officers, it appears that the trade is now principally carried on under Portuguese colours; and they express the opinion that the apprehension of their presence on the Slave coast has, in a great degree, arrested the prostitution of the American flag to this inhuman purpose. It is hoped that, by continuing to maintain this force in that quarter, and by the exertions of the officers in command, much will be done to put a stop to whatever portion of this traffic may have been carried on under the American flag, and to prevent its use in a trade which, while it violates the laws, is equally an outrage on the rights of others and the feelings of humanity. The efforts of the several governments who are anxiously seeking to suppress this traffic must, however, be directed against the facilities afforded by what are now recognised as legitimate com