The Injustice of Indian Treaties and Removal

The Injustice of Indian Treaties and Removal: "Making Treaties: Good Faith or Deception ?
Treaties Pertaining to Illinois and Missouri
'What do we know of the laws and customs of the White people ? They might buy our bodies for dissection, and we would touch the goose quill to confirm it, without knowing what we are doing. This was the case with myself and people in touching the goose quill the first time.'

--Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak (Black Sparrow Hawk, alias, 'Black Hawk')

Painting at left by Charles Bird King, Washington, 1837. The original portrait was destroyed in a 1865 fire at the Smithsonian Institution.


The original policies of the United States on making treaties with American Indian tribes were of the highest intentions of good faith. For example, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 read as following: 'The utmost good faith shall always be observed towards the Indians, their lands and property shall never be taken from them without their consent, and in their property, rights, and liberty, they shall never be invaded or disturbed, unless in just and lawful wars authorized by Congress; but laws founded in justice and humanity shall from time to time be made, for preventing wrongs being done to them, and for preserving peace and friendship with them.'

Or President Thomas Jefferson's original 'Policy of Civilization a"