July 29, 2009

Fillmore pardon on History Detectives

PBS's History Detectives (airdate: 7/27/09) featured a report on a presidential pardon for an Indian in 1851. Here's the story:

Fillmore PardonAiring: Season 7, Episode 6
The Detective: Tukufu Zuberi
The Place: Portland, Oregon

The Case:

By the middle of the 19th century, a vast new territory from New Mexico all the way to California beckoned settlers and homesteaders. But as their wagon trains rumbled west from Missouri, along major arteries such as the Santa Fe Trail, they cut through the heart of Indian country and came under frequent attack.

More than a century and a half after these violent events, History Detectives takes a closer look at an old paper that shows President Millard Fillmore engaged in what appears to be an unusual act for the time--sparing the life of a Native American convicted of murder.

In the paper the President commutes the death sentence to life in prison for a solitary Native American named See-See-Sah-Mah, convicted of murdering a St. Louis trader along the Santa Fe Trail. Fillmore’s pardon saved See-See-Sah-Mah’s life, but why?
Comment:  You can read the show's transcript, but I'll give you the short version. See-See-Sah-Mah, a Sac and Fox Indian, was accused of killing a traveling white man. The prosecutor coerced him to confess and plied the jury with liquor. See-See-Sah-Mah was convicted and sentenced to be hung.

But an investigator at the crime scene had found tracks made by boots, not moccasins. This cast suspicion on the victim's brother-in-law. To avoid a miscarriage of justice, two well-connected lawyers took See-See-Sah-Mah's case. When he lost, they asked the US Attorney General to intervene, and he asked President Fillmore to consider a pardon. Fillmore agreed.

A telegram arrived with 20 minutes to spare as See-See-Sah-Mah was headed to the gallows. But all this did was commute his sentence to life in prison. The show surmises that he died soon after being incarcerated. The real killer went free.

Fillmore and Indians

As the show notes, Fillmore had a remarkable change of heart between his 1850 and 1851 State of the Union speeches:

State of the Union Address:  Millard Fillmore (December 2, 1850)The annexation of Texas and the acquisition of California and New Mexico have given increased importance to our Indian relations. The various tribes brought under our jurisdiction by these enlargements of our boundaries are estimated to embrace a population of 124,000. Texas and New Mexico are surrounded by powerful tribes of Indians, who are a source of constant terror and annoyance to the inhabitants. Separating into small predatory bands, and always mounted, they overrun the country, devastating farms, destroying crops, driving off whole herds of cattle, and occasionally murdering the inhabitants or carrying them into captivity. The great roads leading into the country are infested with them, whereby traveling is rendered extremely dangerous and immigration is almost entirely arrested. The Mexican frontier, which by the eleventh article of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo we are bound to protect against the Indians within our border, is exposed to these incursions equally with our own. The military force stationed in that country, although forming a large proportion of the Army, is represented as entirely inadequate to our own protection and the fulfillment of our treaty stipulations with Mexico. The principal deficiency is in cavalry, and I recommend that Congress should, at as early a period as practicable, provide for the raising of one or more regiments of mounted men.Millard Fillmore's Second State of the Union AddressThe large accessions to our Indian population consequent upon the acquisition of New Mexico and California and the extension of our settlements into Utah and Oregon have given increased interest and importance to our relations with the aboriginal race. No material change has taken place within the last year in the condition and prospects of the Indian tribes who reside in the Northwestern Territory and west of the Mississippi River. We are at peace with all of them, and it will be a source of pleasure to you to learn that they are gradually advancing in civilization and the pursuits of social life.

Along the Mexican frontier and in California and Oregon there have been occasional manifestations of unfriendly feeling and some depredations committed. I am satisfied, however, that they resulted more from the destitute and starving condition of the Indians than from any settled hostility toward the whites. As the settlements of our citizens progress toward them, the game, upon which they mainly rely for subsistence, is driven off or destroyed, and the only alternative left to them is starvation or plunder. It becomes us to consider, in view of this condition of things, whether justice and humanity, as well as an enlightened economy, do not require that instead of seeking to punish them for offenses which are the result of our own policy toward them we should not provide for their immediate wants and encourage them to engage in agriculture and to rely on their labor instead of the chase for the means of support.
From an infestation to starvelings...quite a switch. It's as if Fillmore first parroted US propaganda out of sheer ignorance, then got hit in the head with facts and altered his views accordingly. He sounds like a typical American, but at least he eventually wised up. If only recalcitrant Newspaper Rock readers would change their views so easily. <g>

For more on the subject, see TV Shows Featuring Indians.

Below:  Our 13th president.

19 comments:

Stephen said...

"He sounds like a typical American"

Ah more anti-American bigotry from Rob, not exactly a shocker.

Rob said...

More proof that you don't understand a generalization, Stephen. I can see I'm gonna have to educate you on that too.

Now that you've demonstrated your amazing ability to nitpick single lines, do you have anything to say about the whole posting? Or are you just trying to prove yourself superior to me, as usual?

Stephen said...

If claiming that the average American is some sort of ignorant racist isn't bigotry then what is? And yes you're an anti-American bigot, your essays drip with contempt for the American people.

Melvin Martin said...

Do we as Indian people really need it?

"we should not provide for their immediate wants"???

This torn and tattered, old shirt I am wearing is from the 1947 Sears Men's Western Collection; these ripped and faded blue jeans are from the city's Salvation Army donation bin (and I've never worn underwear); these decrepit work boots with the cardboard insoles are from Payless Shoesource--and this bod of mine with its 70-inch waistline is from "commods."*

*USDA Commodity Food Programs, the eventual form of provisions mentioned by Fillmore

dmarks said...

"of unfriendly feeling and some depredations committed. I am satisfied, however, that they resulted more from the destitute and starving condition of the Indians than from any settled hostility toward the whites."

That's also a fairly accurate description of the root cause of the 1862 Dakota Uprising. It probably applies to many other "American" vs Native conflicts as well.

dmarks said...

"He sounds like a typical American"

Well, it is a generalization. And such generalizations easily take the color of racism or ethnic/nationalist bigotry.

However, I took Rob's generalization to be of Americans of the mid 19th century. A period where the attitude of "Americans" toward Natives is quite overwhelming, and generalizations fit better.

Rob said...

Re "If claiming that the average American is some sort of ignorant racist isn't bigotry then what is?"

It's a factual statement about what typical Americans think and believe, Stephen. Same as when I generalized about Americans being ignorant about foreign affairs and proved it with evidence. You didn't understand that my generalizations were based in fact then and you still don't understand it.

I know what the typical American thinks and believes about Indians from almost two decades of work in the field. How about you? What's your basis for claiming a typical American would not agree with Fillmore that 1850's Indians were savages?

Since you disagree with me, tell us what the typical American thinks and believes about Indians. Cite and quote the evidence for your claims. Good luck with your answer, mouth...you'll need it.

Rob said...

The only "non-shocker" here is that you've attacked me for one line in this posting while ignoring the rest of it. Clearly you aren't interested in anything except proving your ego at my expense. Fortunately for you, you actually quoted the posting this time, so there's no reason to delete your comment.

FYI, it isn't "anti-American" to criticize the country or its people for their mistakes and shortcomings. You conservatives can bray your phony "patriotism" all you want, but that doesn't make it so. Working to improve this country is the best way to show one's commitment to it.

If you weren't so defensive about your fellow white people, you'd understand that. I'm not sure what you're scared of, but you obviously take any criticism of mainstream America personally. I suggest you get over your wounded pride and start dealing with the issues, such as society's ongoing racism against Indians.

Rob said...

P.S. to DMarks: My line refers to what today's Americans believe about Indians in Fillmore's time. I.e., that they were marauding savages.

Stephen said...

"It's a factual statement about what typical Americans think and believe, Stephen."

No it's your bigoted opinion. Speaking of ignorance however check out these articles:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Sky-News-Archive/Article/200806413047091

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9A01E7D81138E
F34BC4E52DFB166838A679FDE

http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/anti-americanism-in-europe-is-fueled-by-ignorance/

I can't say I've seen a poll that shows that 50% of Americans think that - hypothetical example - polygamy is legal in the UK.

"Same as when I generalized about Americans being ignorant about foreign affairs and proved it with evidence."

I don't recall that, btw if I generalized that Indians were 'drunks and drug users' and 'proved it' with stats would you be okay with that?

"You didn't understand that my generalizations were based in fact then and you still don't understand it."

Let's see these facts of yours shall we?

"I know what the typical American thinks and believes about Indians from almost two decades of work in the field. How about you? What's your basis for claiming a typical American would not agree with Fillmore that 1850's Indians were savages?"

The sheer amount of intermarriage between south eastern Indians and Whites (John was only 1/8th Cherokee) indicates that quite a few 'typical Americans' wouldn't have agreed with Fillmore. Prominent examples of Indians with significant European heritage include Major Ridge, Charles R. Hicks (the son of white trader), Stand Watie show just how far the intermarriage went. Not to mention there's the matter of the highly pro-Indian Elias Boudinot, who was a promiment participant in the American revolution.

"Since you disagree with me, tell us what the typical American thinks and believes about Indians. Cite and quote the evidence for your claims. Good luck with your answer, mouth...you'll need it."

Awareness of the Indian genocide seems quite widespread these days, on the other hand denial of it (ie the lies Medved has spewed) isn't as common.

aw said...

From the Sky article:

Researchers found that many of the 2,069 adults questioned could not tell fact from fiction.

More than one in 20 thought the sci-fi classic War of the Worlds, in which Earth is invaded by Martians, was a historical event.

Some even believed the Battle of Helm's Deep from the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Battle of Endor from Return of the Jedi actually took place.


HA HA HA! Stephen actually believes that these were real responses! What a credulous dumbass!

aw said...

No it's your bigoted opinion. (of 19th century Americans who loved Andrew Jackson)

As opposed to Stephen's bigoted opinion, which is so much better because it's STEPHEN, people! Stephen!!

Oh, the "Pajamas Media" link goes to a survey by a partisan think-tank which finds that

one out of every two French people visit McDonald’s at least once a year.

Shocking! They're so anti-American! And it's fuelled by ignorance!

Seventy percent of Britons think the United States has done a worse job than the European Union in reducing carbon emissions since 2000; in fact,

In fact, it's 5.7 billion tons versus 4 billion, while respective populations are 300 million and 500 million. So in fact, it's only a decrease in the rate of increase. Quality reporting from Pajamas yet again.

Stephen said...

"HA HA HA! Stephen actually believes that these were real responses! What a credulous dumbass!"

You said that comparing Israel to nazi germany wasn't anti-semitic, if anyone's a dumbass here it's you.

(of 19th century Americans who loved Andrew Jackson)

Yes people who intermarried with Indians really must have loved Jackson. *Rolls eyes.*

"As opposed to Stephen's bigoted opinion, which is so much better because it's STEPHEN, people! Stephen!!"

And what bigoted opinion would that be?

"Shocking! They're so anti-American! And it's fuelled by ignorance!"

That wasn't the point, go back and read it again.

"In fact, it's 5.7 billion tons versus 4 billion, while respective populations are 300 million and 500 million. So in fact, it's only a decrease in the rate of increase. Quality reporting from Pajamas yet again."

You miss the point, I've yet to see any poll showing that more than 50% of Americans think that polygamy is legal in Britain for example, so much for the 'Americans are ignorant but everyone outside of the US is an erudite' myth.

aw said...

You said that comparing Israel to nazi germany wasn't anti-semitic,

... because although it can be, it isn't intrinsically. And, as to the word "dumbass", aren't you the guy who claimed that Canada killed thousands of children with lethal injections? So sad -- anti-Canadian prejudice gallops among the Stephens.

Yes people who intermarried with Indians really must have loved Jackson. *Rolls eyes.*

Because the majority of white men in 19th century America married Indians. That would explain the whole Cherokee princess thing, wouldn't it? *Rolls eyes, with asterisks.*

You miss the point, I've yet to see any poll showing that more than 50% of Americans think that polygamy is legal in Britain for example

They don't. The poll is a piece of crap. Meanwhile, as for the kind of people who are so anti-American they eat at McDonalds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTPsFIsxM3w

You're welcome.

Stephen said...

"... because although it can be, it isn't intrinsically. And, as to the word "dumbass", aren't you the guy who claimed that Canada killed thousands of children with lethal injections? So sad -- anti-Canadian prejudice gallops among the Stephens"

So I take you doubt the genocide of Canadian Indians?

"Because the majority of white men in 19th century America married Indians. That would explain the whole Cherokee princess thing, wouldn't it? *Rolls eyes, with asterisks.*"

I didn't say the majority did however there so much intermarriage that even cherokee leaders had significant European ancestry.

"They don't. The poll is a piece of crap."

Prove it.

aw said...

So I take you doubt the genocide of Canadian Indians?

I doubt that nurses killed thousands of children with lethal injections and then buried them in the school grounds, yes. That's what you were claiming, in the same post that you decried credulous anti-white bigotry.

I didn't say the majority did however there so much intermarriage...

...that anti-Indian sentiment was not typical, just very very usual, an important distinction which Rob in his anti-Americanism failed to make clear. Well caught, Stephen!

Stephen said...

"I doubt that nurses killed thousands of children with lethal injections and then buried them in the school grounds, yes."

Do some research into the Canadian Indian genocide before commenting on it further.

"That's what you were claiming, in the same post that you decried credulous anti-white bigotry."

Link please? I don't recall the post (my memory's very poor) and you have a habit of twisting my words around.

"...that anti-Indian sentiment was not typical, just very very usual, an important distinction which Rob in his anti-Americanism failed to make clear. Well caught, Stephen!"

I don't deny that there was widespread anti-Indian sentiment however the sheer amount of intermarriage clearly shows positive race relations.

Stephen said...

Another example of non-American ignorance:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090709/lf_nm_life/us_france_tourists

"The French don't go abroad very much. We're lucky enough to have a country which is magnificent in terms of its landscape and culture," he said, adding that 90 per cent of French people did their traveling at home."

aw said...

Do some research into the Canadian Indian genocide before commenting on it further.

So they did kill kids with lethal injections and bury them on the school grounds? That was what was claimed by the links you provided...

Another example of non-American ignorance:

...or another example of Stephen desperately trying to change the subject to something completely irrelevant to the blog?