Thomas L. McKenney | |
|---|---|
 Thomas Loraine McKenney, 1856 | |
| Superintendent of Indian Affairs | |
| In office 1824–1830 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Samuel S. Hamilton |
| Superindendent of Indian Trade | |
| In office 1816–1821 | |
| Preceded by | John Mason |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1785-03-21)March 21, 1785 Hopewell, Maryland |
| Died | February 19, 1859(1859-02-19) (aged 73) New York City,New York |
Thomas Loraine McKenney (21 March 1785 – 19 February 1859) was aUnited States official who served as Superintendent of Indian Affairs from 1824 to 1830.[1]
McKenny was born on March 21, 1785, inHopewell, Maryland. He was the oldest of five boys, and was raised and received his education atChestertown, Maryland. McKenney was aQuaker, which influenced his approach to interactions with Native Americans.
McKenney served as the Superindenant of the U.S.Office of Indian Trade from 1816 to 1821. He oversaw trading houses that created goods that were traded for furs.
After the abolition of the U.S. Indian Trade program in 1822, Secretary of WarJohn C. Calhoun created a position within the War Department entitled Superintendent of Indian Affairs. This office later evolved into theBureau of Indian Affairs. Calhoun appointed McKenney to the position, who served from 1824 to 1830. McKenney was an advocate of the American Indian “civilization” program, becoming an avid promoter of Indian removal west of the Mississippi River. After being elected to office, PresidentAndrew Jackson, who favored Indian removal, dismissed McKenney from his position in 1830 when Jackson disagreed with his opinion that “the Indian was, in his intellectual and moral structure, our equal.”[citation needed]
While serving as Superintendent of Trade and Indian Affairs, McKenney helped gain passage of theIndian Civilization Act of 1819. Eleven years later, he helped draft and gain passage of theIndian Removal Act of 1830.
While serving as superintendent, McKenney denounced the United States Government for failing to keep white people out of territory belonging to theCherokee as part of a treaty.[2]
McKenney worked withJames Hall to create and publish the three volumes of theHistory of the Indian Tribes of North America, which were released from the years of 1836 to 1844.[3] The books included portraits of Native American leaders painted byCharles Bird King.
