Ross Coen, I think we had a national policy toward settling of the west, called the Manifest Destiny that every white person during that century deeply believes in. And US government did encouraged it. But in an ironic term, I think it rather myopic view of history to believe what Mr. Haycox wrote, that US government were everywhere, aiding, helping, curing the poor settlers all over the west during that time period...1821-60. I used isolated examples since refuting the entire article simply take too much time and effort. I'll take one part just to prove a point. If you are a reader, Mr.Coen, then you would know that we all interpret books differently. If both of us read War without Mercy by John Dower, our conclusions may not be the same. Mr. Haycox's views have always been more from the left then mine's. His approach is revisionist one. Mine's is not. History is often a politically incorrect subject, is it not?? There is no correct answer here, just perception.