The anonymous account of the Rape of Indian women was interesting and upsetting. The writer is obviously outraged by the egregious acts of the “supposed” United States Officers and their utter lack of respect for the Native Americans. In my opinion there were two messages posted in this letter. The obvious issue with the rape of course, but the writer also makes a point to note “Whether he found a fit subject to practice his virtuous and civilizing purposes, the writer in not informed.” (p 237) This seems like an intentional dig at the “civilizing” practices of the Americans in regards to the natives. The writer illustrates the irony in these practices through his letter; rape is an uncivilized and immoral act, in this case perpetrated by the very people who are attempting to “civilize” the native people of the land. –Caryn Levine | The anonymous account of the Rape of Indian women was interesting and upsetting. The writer is obviously outraged by the egregious acts of the “supposed” United States Officers and their utter lack of respect for the Native Americans. In my opinion there were two messages posted in this letter. The obvious issue with the rape of course, but the writer also makes a point to note “Whether he found a fit subject to practice his virtuous and civilizing purposes, the writer in not informed.” (p 237) This seems like an intentional dig at the “civilizing” practices of the Americans in regards to the natives. The writer illustrates the irony in these practices through his letter; rape is an uncivilized and immoral act, in this case perpetrated by the very people who are attempting to “civilize” the native people of the land. –Caryn Levine |