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until they were delivered up to justice。 This measure had the desired effect。＇
From the moment when a European settlement is formed in the neighborhood of the territory occupied by the Indians； the beasts of chase take the alarm。 *d Thousands of savages； wandering in the forests and destitute of any fixed dwelling； did not disturb them； but as soon as the continuous sounds of European labor are heard in their neighborhood； they begin to flee away； and retire to the West； where their instinct teaches them that they will find deserts of immeasurable extent。 〃The buffalo is constantly receding；〃 say Messrs。 Clarke and Cass in their Report of the year 1829； 〃a few years since they approached the base of the Alleghany； and a few years hence they may even be rare upon the immense plains which extend to the base of the Rocky Mountains。〃 I have been assured that this effect of the approach of the whites is often felt at two hundred leagues' distance from their frontier。 Their influence is thus exerted over tribes whose name is unknown to them； and who suffer the evils of usurpation long before they are acquainted with the authors of their distress。 *e
＇Footnote d： 〃Five years ago；〃 （says Volney in his 〃Tableau des Etats…Unis；〃 p。 370） 〃in going from Vincennes to Kaskaskia； a territory which now forms part of the State of Illinois； but which at the time I mention was completely wild （1797）； you could not cross a prairie without seeing herds of from four to five hundred buffaloes。 There are now none remaining； they swam across the Mississippi to escape from the hunters； and more particularly from the bells of the American cows。〃＇
＇Footnote e： The truth of what I here advance may be easily proved by consulting the tabular statement of Indian tribes inhabiting the United States and their territories。 （Legislative Documents； 20th Congress； No。 117； pp。 90…105。） It is there shown that the tribes in the centre of America are rapidly decreasing； although the Europeans are still at a considerable distance from them。＇
Bold adventurers soon penetrate into the country the Indians have deserted； and when they have advanced about fifteen or twenty leagues from the extreme frontiers of the whites； they begin to build habitations for civilized beings in the midst of the wilderness。 This is done without difficulty； as the territory of a hunting…nation is ill…defined； it is the common property of the tribe； and belongs to no one in particular； so that individual interests are not concerned in the protection of any part of it。
A few European families； settled in different situations at a considerable distance from each other； soon drive away the wild animals which remain between their places of abode。 The Indians； who had previously lived in a sort of abundance； then find it difficult to subsist； and still more difficult to procure the articles of barter which they stand in need of。
To drive away their game is to deprive them of the means of existence； as effectually as if the fields of our agriculturists were stricken with barrenness； and they are reduced； like famished wolves； to prowl through the forsaken woods in quest of prey。 Their instinctive love of their country attaches them to the soil which gave them birth； *f even after it has ceased to yield anything but misery and death。 At length they are compelled to acquiesce； and to depart： they follow the traces of the elk； the buffalo； and the beaver； and are guided by these wild animals in the choice of their future country。 Properly speaking； therefore； it is not the Europeans who drive away the native inhabitants of America； it is famine which compels them to recede； a happy distinction which had escaped the casuists of former times； and for which we are indebted to modern discovery！
＇Footnote f： 〃The Indians；〃 say Messrs。 Clarke and Cass in their Report to Congress； p。 15； 〃are attached to their country by the same feelings which bind us to ours； and； besides； there are certain superstitious notions connected with the alienation of what the Great Spirit gave to their ancestors； which operate strongly upon the tribes who have made few or no cessions； but which are gradually weakened as our intercourse with them is extended。 'We will not sell the spot which contains the bones of our fathers；' is almost always the first answer to a proposition for a sale。〃＇
It is impossible to conceive the extent of the sufferings which attend these forced emigrations。 They are undertaken by a people already exhausted and reduced； and the countries to which the newcomers betake themselves are inhabited by other tribes which receive them with jealous hostility。 Hunger is in the rear； war awaits them； and misery besets them on all sides。 In the hope of escaping from such a host of enemies； they separate； and each individual endeavors to procure the means of supporting his existence in solitude and secrecy； living in the immensity of the desert like an outcast in civilized society。 The social tie； which distress had long since weakened； is then dissolved； they have lost their country； and their people soon desert them： their very families are obliterated； the names they bore in common are forgotten； their language perishes； and all traces of their origin disappear。 Their nation has ceased to exist； except in the recollection of the antiquaries of America and a few of the learned of Europe。
I should be sorry to have my reader suppose that I am coloring the picture too highly； I saw with my own eyes several of the cases of misery which I have been describing； and I was the witness of sufferings which I have not the power to portray。
At the end of the year 1831； whilst I was on the left bank of the Mississippi at a place named by Europeans； Memphis； there arrived a numerous band of Choctaws （or Chactas； as they are called by the French in Louisiana）。 These savages had left their country； and were endeavoring to gain the right bank of the Mississippi； where they hoped to find an asylum which had been promised them by the American government。 It was then the middle of winter； and the cold was unusually severe； the snow had frozen hard upon the ground； and the river was drifting huge masses of ice。 The Indians had their families with them； and they brought in their train the wounded and sick； with children newly born； and old men upon the verge of death。 They possessed neither tents nor wagons； but only their arms and some provisions。 I saw them embark to pass the mighty river； and never will that solemn spectacle fade from my remembrance。 No cry； no sob was heard amongst the assembled crowd； all were silent。 Their calamities were of ancient date； and they knew them to be irremediable。 The Indians had all stepped into the bark which was to carry them across； but their dogs remained upon the bank。 As soon as these animals perceived that their masters were finally leaving the shore； they set up a dismal howl； and； plunging all together into the icy waters of the Mississippi； they swam after the boat。
The ejectment of the Indians very often takes place at the present day； in a regular； and； as it were； a legal manner。 When the European population begins to approach the lim