to him, attracted by the ascendency of a bold genius, or by the
expectation of obtaining a share in his fame, power, and glory.

Kirkland, however, was an inland place; there, on every side, Smith had
to contend with opposition; his power was confined and his plans had not
sufficient room for development. He turned his mind towards the western
borders of Missouri: it was but a thought; but with him, rapid action
was as much a natural consequence of thought as thunder is of lightning.
Examine into the topography of that country, the holy Zion and promised
land of the Mormons, and it will be easy to recognise the fixed and
unchangeable views of Smith, as connected with the formation of a vast
empire.

For the last twelve or fifteen years the government of the United States
has, through a mistaken policy, been constantly engaged in sending to
the western borders all the eastern Indian tribes that were disposed to
sell their land, and also the various tribes who, having rebelled
against their cowardly despotism, had been overpowered and conquered
during the struggle. This gross want of policy is obvious.

Surrounded and demoralised by white men, the Indian falls into a
complete state of _decadence_ and _abrutissement_. Witness the Choctaw
tribes that hover constantly about Mobile and New Orleans; the
Winnebegoes, who have of late come into immediate contact with the
settlers of Wisconsin; the Pottawatomies, on both shores of Lake
Michigan; the Miamis of North Indiana, and many more. On the contrary,
the tribes on the borders, or in the wilderness, are on the increase.
Of course, there are a few exceptions, such as the Kansas, or the poor
Mandans, who have lately been almost entirely swept away from the earth
by the small-pox. Some of the smaller tribes may be destroyed by
warfare, or they may incorporate themselves with others, and thus lose
their name and nationality; but the increase of the Indian population is
considerable among the great uncontrolled nations; such as the Chippewas
and Dahcotahs (Siouxes), of the north United States; the Comanches and
the Pawnees, on the boundaries, or even in the very heart, of Texas; the
Shoshones (Snakes), on the southern limits of Oregon; and the brave
Apaches of Sonora, those bold Bedouins of the Mexican deserts, who,
constantly on horseback, wander, in immense phalanxes, from the eastern
shores of the Gulf of California to the very waters of the Rio Grande.

Admitting, ther