Objections to Obtaining Land from the Wabash Indians
Document 1790Knox states his objections to St. Clair's proposal to obtain land from the Wabash Indians. He warns that, at this time, obtaining lands from the Wabash would give the people of Georgia, the Yazoo Company, and the Tennessee Company cause for "impeaching the rectitude" of the federal government. Furthermore, he observes that the addition of more land will reduce the profits for which the existing U.S. territories can be sold. He cautions against reducing the value of land, appearing avaricious, and incurring the added expense of defending distant settlements.
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“It will not materially lessen the charge to assert the United States propose to pay the Indians for the lands - because it is a well known fact, that unless they could be civilized, and learn the arts of agriculture, the taking away their lands for the usual pitiful considerations, is taking away the means of supporting their lives.”
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