200

INDIAN TREATIES.

themselves to give in exchange for the lands thus acquired, the like quantity, acre for acre, westward of the Mississippi, on the Arkansas river. Other stipulations, favourable to the equitable claims of the emigrating parties, were made, particularly that a deputation from the Indians might be sent to explore the territories offered them in exchange; and if the same should not be acceptable to them, they might select any other territory, west of the Mississippi, on Red, Canadian, Arkansas, or Missouri rivers, -the territory occupied by the Cherokees and Choctaws excepted, and if the territory to be selected should be in the occupancy of other Indian tribes, then the United States were to extinguish the title of such occupants for the benefit of said emigrants.

The Kansas tribe of Indians also made a treaty, ceding all their lands, part of which were within and part without the limits of Missouri, excepting a small reservation on the Kansas river, thirty miles square, including their villages. For these lands, the United States were to pay them thirty-five hundred dollars yearly for twenty years, to provide for their education and civilization, and to furnish them with a specified quantity of agricultural stock.

General William Clark, commissioner on the part of the United States, concluded a treaty in June with the Great and Little Osages, at St. Louis, Missouri. Those tribes ceded all their lands, situated in Arkansas and elsewhere, a small defined territory, fifty miles square, west of the Missouri line, to the United States, who were also allowed to keep a residing agent on the reserved tract, and to have the right of navigating all the waters in it. In return, they were to pay to the tribes an annuity of seven thousand dollars for twenty years, to furnish them with a large amount of agricultural stock and farming utensils, to provide for them a person to teach them agriculture and a blacksmith, and to build a commodious dwellinghouse for each of the four principal chiefs, at his own village. Reservations were made for the support of schools for the Osage children, and for the Harmony Missionary establish

ment.

DEATH OF ADAMS AND JEFFERSON.

201

During the year 1825, a general convention of peace, amity, navigation, and commerce, between the United States of America and the Republic of Columbia, was concluded by the plenipotentiaries at Bogota, and signed by the President on the 31st of May, at Washington. The session of Congress was chiefly occupied with the subject of internal improvements, and preparations were made for the continuation of the great national road, westward of the Ohio.

During the year 1826, a general convention of friendship, commerce, and navigation, was concluded and signed between the United States of America and the King of Denmark. A similar convention was also completed between the United States and the federation of Central America. A dispute in relation to the boundary line of the States of Massachusetts and Connecticut, was settled and established by commissioners appointed for the purpose.

On the anniversary of American Independence, 1826, two of the Ex-Presidents of the United States departed this life; John Adams died at Quincy, in the ninety-first year of his age; Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, Virginia, in his eightythird year. Both were ever found foremost in the rank of the statesmen who vindicated their country's rights and defended her liberties; both lived to see their efforts crowned with the happiest success; both of them were elevated to the highest office in the gift of the people; and a half century after the Declaration of Independence, both of them expired on the same day. Posterity is presented with their true portraits in their actions, and while their deeds will insure them an honourable place in the history of the world, "the respect of the republic to their memory will be their noblest monument."

The Tariff Bill which was enacted by Congress in the session of 1828, produced the most violent commotion in the Southern States. When it passed through Congress, it received but a small majority, and most of the members voting for it, did so, not because it corresponded to their wishes, but because they preferred having it with its defects, to none at all.

202

JACKSON ELECTED PRESIDENT.

Nothing further of any moment transpired during the latter part of Mr. Adams's administration. Many salutary measures were recommended to Congress by the President, among which were the endowment of a naval academy, and the construction of a national observatory. Owing to the rancour of party feeling, both these and several other recommendations of public benefit were neglected, and it was with the greatest difficulty that, towards the close of his administration, the President procured an appropriation of twenty thousand dollars, to be paid by instalments, for statuary to fill niches in the east front of the capitol, and the engagement of a suitable artist to repair to Italy and commence his labours.

Notwithstanding the great learning, the enlarged views, and open disposition of Mr. Adams, and the perfect harmony which reigned in his cabinet, although composed of very opposite materials, the tide of popular favour had set against him, and he lost his re-election by a large majority. General Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee, was elected to succeed him, and he was inaugurated in the spring following.