“I have long viewed treaties with the Indians an absurdity,” he said, “not to be reconciled to the principles of our Government. The Indians are the subjects of the United States. .. . I have always thought, that Congress had as much right to regulate by acts of Legislation, all Indian concerns as they had of Territories.” In short, Indians had no rights if they conflicted with the security of the United States. “The Indians live within the Territory of the United States,” he declared, “and are subject to its sovereignty and . . . subject to its laws.”19
