position; 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 recognize 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 demoralized 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
Winnibegoes, 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 Kanzas, 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, therefore, as a fact, that the tribes on the borders do
increase, in the same ratio with their material strength, grows also
their invincible, stern, and unchangeable hatred towards the American.
In fact, more or less, they have all