New York Observer: the new Peace Policy toward Native Americans in a speech by California Senator Eugene Casserly, June 1870.
New York: 1870. Front page above the fold article with titled "Our Indian Policy" with the text of the speech of Senator Casserly of California before the Senate, June 4, 1870, regarding "the new policy of dealing with them [Native Americans] through a Board of Peace Commissioners selected from the Society of Friends".
The new policy was a direct result of the massacre of Native Americans known as the Marias Massacre in which a friendly band of Piegan Blackfeet Indians was killed on January 23, 1870 by the US Army in Montana Territory.
Casserly speaks in favor of the Peace Board, and cites the (to him) success of the mission system in California and the positive relations with Native Americans in his state: "It is true that since the cession of California, her people to their credit be it said, with very few exceptions, have not been chargeable with cruelty or even harshness to the Indians. The consequence has been that there is no frontier State east or west of the Mississippi whose story is so little stained with Indian troubles as is that of the State of California". Casserly also commends Pennsylvania "with her Indians managed and humanized by her Quakers", and acknowledges that national sentiment is opposed to the new policy.
Eugene Casserly (1820 - 1883) served as a Democratic Senator from California from 1869 to 1873. Casserly was chairman of the Committee on Pacific Railroads (42nd Congress) and the Committee on Engrossed Bills (42nd & 43rd Congress). After serving in the Senate he returned to his law practice in San Francisco; he also served as member to the California Constitutional Convention (1878-1879).
Approximately 43 column inches. The newspaper complete with two sections for June 30, 1870, the "Secular Department" 4pp, and the "Religious Department", 4pp. The newspaper unopened, with a very small split at the juncture of the center folds at the front page Secular Department. Very good condition. Item #21954
Price: $175.00