5581. MURDER, Indian.—[continued].
When a murder has been
committed on one of our stragglers, the murderer
should be demanded. If not delivered,
give time, and still press the demand. We
find it difficult, with our regular government,
to take and punish a murderer of an Indian.
Indeed, I believe we have never been able to do
it in a single instance. They have their difficulties
also, and require time. In fact, it is
a case where indulgence on both sides is just
and necessary, to prevent the two nations from
being perpetually committed in war, by the
acts of the most vagabond and ungovernable of
their members. When the refusal to deliver
the murderer is permanent, and proceeds from
the want of will, and not of ability we should
then interdict all trade and intercourse with
them till they give us complete satisfaction.—
To Meriwether Lewis. Washington ed. v, 350.
(M.
1808)
