President Andrew Jackson's Message to Congress 'On Indian Removal' (1830)

On December 6, 1830, President Andrew Jackson delivered his annual message to Congress, concerning the ongoing removal of Indian tribes east of the Mississippi River to areas west of the river.

Overview of Indian Removal Policy

Policy Background
- The Government's aim, termed a "benevolent policy," has been in effect for nearly thirty years.
- The intention of this policy is to relocate Indian tribes to ensure their survival and to prevent conflicts with the expanding white settlements.
Tribes Involved
- Two significant tribes have already agreed to this move, setting a precedent for others to follow.
- The expectation is that this example will encourage other tribes to pursue similar arrangements for removal.

Benefits of Removal

For the United States
- The removal is expected to have vital implications for the U.S., including:
- Pecuniary benefits: Financial gains for the government are anticipated but are not the primary focus.
- Reduction of conflicts: It aims to eliminate potential conflicts between the General Government and State authorities regarding Indian presence.
- Strengthening frontiers: By relocating tribes, the area between Tennessee and Louisiana will be opened for white settlement, fostering a stronger southwestern frontier capable of defense.
For Individual States
- The removal will allow states such as Mississippi and Alabama to advance rapidly in terms of population, wealth, and political power.
- Government officials believe that heightened settlement will improve state infrastructure and economies.
For the Indians
- Indians will be distanced from white settlements, allowing them to maintain autonomy and operate under their traditional institutions.
- The plan aims to protect them from decay and may assist them in embracing more "civilized" lifestyles.
- There's an underlying assumption that isolation will allow Indians to develop positively over time under government support.

Arguments Supporting Removal

Comparison to Settlers
- Jackson argues that the current population's expansion mirrors historical migrations: "What good man would prefer a country covered with forests and ranged by a few thousand savages..."
- He likens the removal of Indians to a historical necessity faced by European settlers, who also left homes for better conditions.
Perception of Attachment
- Jackson questions whether Indigenous peoples have a stronger attachment to their land than settlers, proposing that both populations experience similar hardships.
- The message frames the removal as an altruistic act rather than dispossession.
Governmental Responsibility
- Jackson presents the government's offer as generous: paying for the entire relocation process and providing support during the transition.
- This framing serves to rationalize the often traumatic removal process faced by the tribes.

Conclusion

Jackson emphasizes the inevitable progress of American civilization, suggesting that resistance from Indian tribes is ultimately futile.
The message reflects both the paternalistic attitudes of the time and the profound implications of the Indian Removal Act that followed.

Legacy

The Indian Removal policy, and Jackson's message, remains a subject of significant historical scrutiny and debate due to its devastating impact on Native American communities.
This policy facilitated the conditions for the Trail of Tears, a tragic chapter in American history characterized by forced relocations and immense suffering.

Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal Policy

Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal Policy