Sunday, December 31, 2006

Native America, Discovered and Conquered:

Thomas Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, and Manifest Destiny

Robert J. Miller

Miller analyzes the Doctrine of Discovery and shows how Thomas Jefferson
and the Lewis & Clark expedition used that international legal doctrine to
create Manifest Destiny – the idea that the United States would sweep
across the North American continent. This book grew out of Miller’s three
year involvement with the Lewis & Clark anniversary as the representative
of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe and an advisor to the National Council of the
Lewis & Clark Bicentennial.

“Everyone who is interested in Indian Law and the West will have to read
this book.”
Professor Gerald Torres, University of Texas Law School.

“It's one of the most important books to come out of the [Lewis & Clark]
bicentennial observances.” Kira Gale, author, Lewis and Clark Road Trips

Miller proves three new ideas that have not been fully addressed anywhere
else:

1. The American colonies, states, and the federal government adopted the
international law Doctrine of Discovery and applied it to the Indian
Nations from 1620-2006.

2. Thomas Jefferson and Lewis & Clark used the Doctrine of Discovery to
exercise governmental authority in the Louisiana Territory and to claim
the Pacific Northwest for the United States.

3. Manifest Destiny arose from the identical legal elements and policies
as did the Doctrine of Discovery. As a result, the Eurocentric and feudal
principles of Discovery were adopted into the American law and policy of
westward expansion.

Professor Carole Goldberg, UCLA Law School - “Miller's book offers
fascinating new insights into Jefferson's Indian policy, the significance
of the Lewis & Clark expedition, and the origins of Manifest Destiny
ideology in 19th-century America. Miller forces readers to confront the
raw assertion of colonial power embodied in the Doctrine of Discovery, and
its consistent deployment by the United States in the guise of law.”

Professor Rennard Strickland, University of Oregon - “[T]his is
revisionist history in the very best sense of that tradition. Miller
reviews historic documents and oft-told stories in a new and original
light. This important study gives Native Americans and their role in
United States history a richer and deeper meaning through Miller's
thoughtful interpretation of the Doctrine of Discovery in the context of
its historical, law-related, political principles.”

Professor Alexander Tallchief Skibine, Utah Law School - “Miller's book
represents the most comprehensive and thoughtful analysis of the American
version of the Doctrine of Discovery to date, its role in the voyages of
Lewis & Clark, and its continuing importance in the field of federal
Indian Law today.”

Miller is an Associate Professor at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland,
Oregon, and Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals of the Grand Ronde
Tribe. He is a citizen of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma.

Price: $49.95; ISBN 0-275-99011-7; Pages: 230; Barnesandnoble.com ($39.95
for members); www.greenwood.com/catalog/C9011.aspx - or 1-800-225-5800 or
at Amazon.com

Professor Miller is available for speaking engagements and book signings
- Rmiller@lclark.edu. Please also contact him for information about
using his book in the classroom.

More information at: http://law.lclark.edu/faculty/rmiller/
http://law.lclark.edu/faculty/rmiller/nadcbook.html

No comments: