The Wisconsin Magazine of History, Volume 1, 1917-1918Various
History
The Wisconsin Magazine of History, Volume 1, 1917-1918
Various
Wisconsin -- History -- Periodicals
Nor is the declaration that Major Robert A. Forsyth, a Paymaster in
the United States Army, has never been “naturalized,” by which it is
intended to be conveyed that he is an alien, less destitute of truth.
The Father of Major Forsyth was an American Citizen, (born in
Detroit), and has always resided in this country, and the accidental
circumstance that Major F’s mother was, at his birth, among her
friends across the narrow line which divided the Territory from
Canada, did not, nor could, divest him of his national character. The
law of nations recognize no such principle: Accordingly, the vote of
Major Forsyth has never been challenged at an election; he bore a
Commission, as a Cadet of the Military Academy, and subsequently as an
officer in the Army of the United States. He has been elected to the
Legislature of the Territory, and executed the trust; where the
objection stated, if valid, would have been fatal. Finally, he has
received from the President of United States, a Commission as Pay
Master in the United States Army. Equally deceptive with every other
feature of this malignant attempt to destroy me, is the perverse
meaning significantly assigned to the trusts, confided to Major
Forsyth and Mr. Kinzie. They are real, substantial trusts, created
under circumstances of perfect notoreity at Chicago, and challenge
scrutiny. In these, as in every other case, the appointment was made
without consulting the individual, and in some instances against his
inclination.
Major Forsyth is charged also with having bribed Caldwell and Robinson
with $10,000 each, to influence the Chiefs of their Nation. This
varies in nothing from the complexion of the other statements. It is a
pure fiction. Major Forsyth had nothing to do with the matter. The
Individuals cited, received, by the express direction of their people,
the sum of $10,000 each, _as the two head men of the nation_, to whom
the entire direction of their affairs had long before been
committed,--on whom they not infrequently lived, and to whom they
looked for relief in their necessities. A reference to the Journal
will establish the fact of their appointment, because it is so
declared in the speeches of the Indians, delivered in public Council.
If the Indians, in open Council, declare what shall be done with a
part of the consideration money of their land and, according to their
custom, insist that their principal Chiefs shall be provided for out
of it, why should it be objected to? As well might it be objected that
$5000, a part of this consideration money, is appropriated at the
request of the Chiefs to the students of the Choctaw Academy, of which
sum the Honorable Richard M. Johnson is constituted Trustee.[118]
It is said also among other representations that a Frenchman called
Loranger,[119] who never had goods in the Indian country, was allowed
by the Commissioners on Claims $5000 by assigning his claim to Robt.
A. Forsyth to whom he was indebted $3,000.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account