President Benson on the Duty to Elevate the Native Tribes

Abstract

… By reference to my annual message to the Legislature at the session commencing December 1856, you will perceive therein that I specially invited the attention of the Legislature to the claims of our aboriginal inhabitants upon, and their constant applications to, this Government for adjudication of their numerous misunderstandings and for protection, and the great expense to which the Government is subjected annually, in complying with their numerous requests. I also expressed regret that, for lack of means, the humane provision for their improvement, contained in the 5 th article of our Constitution, could not be effectually carried out. I recommended that a light direct tax be levied on them to assist in defraying the expenses incurred by virtue of their relations to us.

From his Annual Message to the Legislature, December 1858. African Repository, xxv 137–40