Glossary

Apprised:

Told or explained information.

Benevolent:

Kind, caring or protective.

Brethren:

Brothers or fellow human beings.

Consummation:

The completion or end.

Counsel:

Advice or guidance.

Defray:

Provide money to help pay a cost or fee.

Indian Removal Act:

Law that gave the U.S. government the power to negotiate the removal of Indians to land west of the Mississippi River in exchange for their homelands.

Induce:

Effectively convince or persuade.

Louisiana Purchase:

A purchase by the U.S. of approximately 828,000 square miles of French-owned land west of the Mississippi River in 1803, for $15,000,000 which included the cancellation of debts.

Manifest destiny:

The 19th century attitude that white Americans had the right and ability to settle North America from the east to the west coast.

Pecuniary:

Related to money or economic value.

Sovereignty:

The ability and authority of a people or state to govern themselves.

Tract:

A large area of land.

Trail of Tears:

1838-1839 forced march of Cherokee Indians to western lands that resulted in the death of one-third of the 16,000 Indians.