Page:The Red Man and the White Man in North America.djvu/497



subject of this chapter involves matters so controverted in some of their bearings as to require most candid treatment in strict conformity to historic truths. It has often been affirmed, and it has generally been allowed to pass unchallenged as if it were a well-established fact, that the British, as represented by their Government, have always been more just and wise in their dealings with the savages, and in the treatment of them, than were the English colonists here, and than the United States Government has ever been down to the present year. We are reminded that Great Britain has always had and still retains immense Indian territories here, over which she exercises administrative control; and that this has always been peaceful. As in sharp contrast with our own hostile relations with our Western tribes the fact is brought to our notice, that, within the three years last past, our latest Indian foe with his band sought and found refuge in British America. Indeed, it has been claimed that the British have been substantially discreet and generous guardians and benefactors of the Indians, protecting them from outrage and oppression, distributing among them bounties, and prudently leaving them to follow their own mode of life. Put in this positive and unqualified form, it would seem as if some huge blunder or some grievous injustice on the part of our Government was the sole cause of disadvantage in which we are thus placed when compared with our mother country.