Newspaper Page Text
owy
chsroki&e
FSSIEWIX.
xtr
fi. BOUDIXOTT, Editor.
NEW EC1IOTA, WEDNESDAY JANUARY 28, 1829.
VOJj, I.—NO. 46."
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AGENTS FOR THE CHEROKEE
PHGSNIX.
The following persons are authorized to
receive subrcriy:ions and paj merits for the
Cherokee Fbomix.
Messrs. Pkmicf. fc Williams, No. 20
Market St. fusion, Ma-s.
Geo rue M. Tracy, Agent of thc A.
Cj, F. M. New York. .
Rev. A,- O. El*:»y, Cananda'gua, N. i .
T-HOilAS Hastings, Utica, N. Y.
Poi.ivARi) Hi, Convkuse, Richmond, l a.
Rev. Jafin Ci.viai-.ELI., lieauidil, b.-C
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S. C.
Col, Gkokge S mith, Statesville, W. T.
Wilmaai M. Covibs, Nashville Ten.
Rev. Besnet- Roberts—Powal Me.
Mr. Taos. L. Goj,u, (an itinerant Gen
tleman.)
Jerea£i\.'1 AustiLj Mobile Ala.
vmxmmanixmnu-'u Uijmtm, r ¥r gapyjK
A formal demand was ac
paided.
oordingly made of tiiose who had per
petrated the’ violence; and the three
principals were arrested and eonduet-
ed to Prairie du Chien, t)ne has
since died there: the others are still
detained in close custody by our au
thorities on that station.
This step was little likely to he
brooked by the niore fiery spirits a-
mong tLa Winuehagoes. War was
theory; but to divert this, a proposal
was made tha{ a deputation of their
Chiefs should visit Washington to seek
a pardon for those of their Country inen
confined as above, and to arrange the
difficulties growing out of the frequent
tre c >asses by our citizens upon the
Leuu Mine District. This project
which originated with the Whites , had
for its true object the impressing there
people with an idea of the overwhelm
ing superiority of the States of this
Republic, ( in the event of their still
inclining to try the tug of war.
It was understood that, at the pre
sent meeting, a request would he made
by the savage deputation for the re
lease and restoration of their^captive
brethren at Prairie du Chien, and it
was a matter of interest to observe
how that request should he preferred,
When the old Chief, whoso speech
was given in a former communication,
had resumed his seat, the orator of the
tribe was put forth in the midst.
As lie rose, he threw aside his
blanket, stood before the assembly,
from lue waist up ill y.uris nulu-aUlv*.
His mocasins and dark cloth hose were
somewhat R ncifally trimmed. A s'rip
of leather on ni, her leg connected the
latter with the c uupa M covering which
encircled his loins; and this was con-
lined about his middle, bv a slender
thong running through several perfor
ated and quantity of ornamented bones,
which served well the purpose of
loops, just above the elbow of" his
right arm was tied a truss of long
coarse hair, which once belonged
saw til to summon two of tlie chiefs to
receive, in company vvitli tlie orator,
the sentence about to he pronounced.
The olu warrior that had opened llie
conferences, and a second stern-visag-
ed chief, whose massive form was
scared by wounds obtained in man) a
desperate light, ranged themselves ac
cordingly on either side of the speaker,
expecting in mute dignity, the issue
of the appeal.
1 see them now—those proud Chiefs
—nobles of nature, bearing on their
brow conscious independence, and tho
stamp of innate loftiness oi spirit—as
firm, erect, fearless, they coni routed
the Federal Head of this powerful
Republic, and lived their ipercing
glance upon iiis tranquil countenance
a glance that seemed to probe and ex •
plore ihe very thoughts ef his breast.
The vision will livpMn unfaded fresh
ness in my memory; and the deep c-
mofions with which,'at the lime of
their presentation, l surveyed these
strikingly impressive figures, will not
fail lb be called tip at each successive
reminiscence.
The introduction of the President’s
reply could hardly have prepared them
for its sequel, tie observed that a
power had been indeed vested with
hjm by the Peoj le of these States io
remit at dis ret.on the punishment ol
death, in tlie instance of those whose
lives were forfeited io the violated
law s of tlie land; but it was a pow er
which he had never exercised in be
half of any offemieis among Ins breth
ren, the Whiles; that, inertovei,
there was a law which especially,
prescriued the last penally lo be in
flicted oa a ciime, line mat with which
the prisoners at Pi aine du Ghien stood
i barged—a law ordained by tlie Great
Spirit. whom the, W innebogoes, no
less than ihe white people recognized
—a law which enacted, whoso slied-
deth man s blood, oy man shall his
blood be shed:” “i.ut, ’ added the
President, alter an emphatic pause,
shown by tlteir Great Father on the I be seen sealed m me great Legisla
tive Councils ol the nation. V* uliin
(lie space ol a few brief years at the
utmost, our tlag will lly over a fortress
at the mouth of ihe Oregon; and the
enterprising sons of the East—a sec
ond ojjtaua Ucntium—whl have trod
smootii the path from sea to sea.
Docs the anticipated triumph of the
arts of peace, principles oi civiliza
tion, the benign influence of the wise
laws, enlightened government, and
sound religion, over ignorance and bar
barism and debasing superstition, a-
waken within us a throb of honest eq
uitation? Let us drop a tear over the
fate ot the unfortunate beings whose
complete excision from the face of
the earth such a triumph almost ne
cessarily implies. Untutored they
may lie-—wild, vindictive, and un-
tractible—-instruments of cruelty may
be in their habitations; and the beams
of divine truth fall upon their souls,
the darkness might comprehend it not.
Yet they are not without redeeming
and manly virtues. I]rave they < 011-
fessedly are—of unrivalled fortitude
in endurances of evil—hospitable of
ten to the stranger cast among them—
ever faithful to the word they piigii —
in their natural state, patient of toil,
temperate and continent. As they
melt then gr. dually away fiom before
our eyes, and relinquish to car quiet
occupancy the fair and i:m; d d-.ma 11
which God and nature originally gave
them, let us accord io them our s\m-
palhy for their stern lot, and • i. ’ «
tribute' of respect and applause to
such magnanimous qualities, whether
of instin. t or of ha hi is thev * ons./ic-
uously possess and heroically exer
cise.
Jl Looker on in Washington*
to the flowing mane of some generous ' “to manifest the conciliatory oisjiosi
}, XiAxt bm) ■
From th<M#faaonal Intelligencer.
THE »\ tNjNEbAGUES.
Gentlemen: Before proceeding
with tiie recital of the rem.in.ing in. i-
dent conneeteu with the vaieuictoiy
interview c; lite YVmaeuago vvaruors
with their gnat Fa die:*} the President.,
it is proper to in-urion some circum-
etances which 1 rn;' to lue meeting
<|uitc another than a mere complimen
tary character.
In the country of these savages is a
tract rich in minerals, w hi.h lias long
tempted the. cupidity ol our advanced
eeltlcrs in that region, and which is
familiarly known as the Lead Mine
District. Adventurers from among
the whites are frequently exploring
that territory and have already extract
ed considerable quantities of the ore.
Such acquisitions hold out the lure to
fresh enterprises, though a considera
ble personal risk. For the native
proprietors, claiming the soil as (heir’s
dejuro, nud being sensitively alive to
every thing that looks like an invasion
of their territorial immunities—though
they can make no use in their crude
state of the treasures embosomed in
that portion of their lands—have little
disposition that they should pass into
the undisputed and permanent posses
sion of white emigrants. They first
warned these away—then menaced
them; but the latter persisted in their
designs, and laughed at remonstrances
and threats, till a bolder stand was as
sumed by certain of tlie indignant
tribe, and some blood was spilt as a
natural consequence.
Though the General Government
had previously lent (ro direct counte
nance to the intrusions of our people
on the Winnebago lands, yet the mar-
dor of any citizen was an offence that
aould not be overlooked, as thereby
the lives of our entire population scat
tered in that charter would he jeo-
stced. A part of this hung loose an
half yard or more; and as lie moved
his hand in gesti ulation, it was flour- .
ished with whimsical effect. It r he
athletic form—tli|i broad heaving chxst
—the hold and not undignified atti
tudes—the lirm-sol features—the
ke< n pene. rating eyes—the impassion
ed action of tins Son of the Foiest,
tSiere was much that forcibly impress
ed and riveted attention.
He commenced bis address by say
ing, that, though not a chief by hered
itary right, he enjoyed tho privileges
of one by virtue of his permanent of
fice of public orator; a fact not a lit
tle interesting as.marking tlie import
ance attached to tiio art of speaking
in the estimation of such a barbarous
people. He then dilated in a strain
of ru le but manly compliment, well
fitted to bespeak favour to the cause
he was to advocate; but ou the cause
itself he disdained to expend many
words. His i itereession on that point
was couched in the concluding para
graph of the harangue:—
“Father, my heart is heavy. In
dulge me with a request. When 1
and your Red Children go from you,
permit us to bear paper from your,
hands, that shall give light to the poor
Winnebagoes imprisoned at Prairie du
Chien.”
1 know not how the form of this ap
peal struck the sensibilities of others;
but to me, the simple metaphorical
turn of thc latter expression particu
larly, appeared exquisitely touching
and beautiful.
The speaker paused. As there had
been none of the obsequious tones of
the suppliant in his language, so there
was nothing offensively bold, impetu
ous, or arrogant in his manner of ad
dress. Calm and collected hdfsfbod,
awaiting the President’s replication.
Before delivering this, Mr. Adams
have re.
* This is the account which
ceived:
Si quid novist' veotius intis,
Candidus iraperti; sj ■ l , Qnj hj s ot crc me-
cum. ’
tion wherewith my bossotn is titled,
and to prove the sincerity of my pa
cific professions communicated this
day, I wilt grant to your tribe a favor
withheld from individuals of my own
nation; and happy lam by the terms
of this instrument in complying with
the request you have urged.”
The document containing the au
thority, in form, for the discharge of
their convict brethren, was then made
over to the chieft. Their aim was
hereby answered: but another, and an
important one, in the .estimation of the
President, remained on Ids part, to be
achieved.
He availeth himself of the occasion
to represent to'them the expediency
of ceding to onr citizens, in full .fee,
the district wherein the troubles had
originated; that, whereas the tract
was ot little value to the Winneba
goes, it would prove of eminent utility
in the hands of our People; that, iii
the event of its surrender, a reasona
ble indemnity should be allowed the
former, to be determined in amicable
conference on some future occasion;
that, thereby, all pretext for fresh
feuds and difficulties would be eflec -
ually prevented, and tlie friendship
now mutually pledged be lastingly
sealed and cemented.
The Chiefs retired in silence to the
circle of their associates. It was
doubtful, a while, in what light they
regarded the proposal. They could
not, indeed, but he sensible, that to
refuse it altogether would seem un-
courteous; and they were sufficiently
wary to know the consequences of
such a declaration might prove very
impolic. At length a grave chief,
the Nestor of Vne savage group—the
same who, in person, seized and de
livered up Red Bird to tho authorities
at Prairie du Chien—rose, ar.d said:
That by immemorial usage among
the*Winncbagoes, no portion of their
lalids could be alienated, without the
consent of all their warriors obtained
in solemn council; hut that, in consid
eration of thc spirit of indulgence
present occasion, the Deputation
promised U> employ their influence
with llioir brethren, on their return,
to induce it release to the white set
tiers of a snail portion ot ihe territory in
a conveya/iee. Thehope neverthelt ss,
lie expressed, that nothing more would
oe solicited of the Winnebagoes, as
they felt themselves bound lo hold in
perpetuity the soil which the Great
Spirit hud given them. He ended by
saying, with impressive solemnity.
“Father, il you send commissioners
to treat with us, let them be good
men; itjagenls to dwell among us, let
them be honest rnen;—& do not try to
convert us to the habits of your chil
dren, or lo make us like Indians of
the Green Bay. We wish to live as
we have lived, and to follow and a-
bide by the customs of our forefath-
orr »>
W i 5.
A second calmut was then produced
—a more showy one than the form
er—u inch was smoked as before, and
given, oi the close of the ceremony,
in oust Ay to the Chief Magistrate.—
i no distribution of presents followed.
Among these were large silver
medallions, ornamented on one side
with a faithful likeness of tlu: Presid
ent, together with his name and date
ol inauguration; and displayed oil the
reverse, the emblems oi hands joined
in friendship, and tlie pipe and toma
hawk crossed, coupled with the mot
to “Peace and Friendship.” They
were neatly tied with green riband
drawn through rings, and tlie Presid
ent in person put them about the
necks it the savages m order. Next,
cadi oi them received a beautiful ri
fle; then a cutlass, or a brace of pis
tols, at option, with sundry accompan
iments, such ..s Gullet moulds and oth
er useful instruments—with all which
they appeared well pleased. The
locks and general finish 61 their tiro
arms, their sight—to determine if it
were true—and thc temper of their
sword blades, they examined with
care; and it was a curious spectacle
to witness in such an apartment these
destructive weapons, bristling as in a
fight, and tossed from hand to hand by
men of such powerful frame, with the
lightness and sport of children’s gew
gaws. t V
Refreshments were once more cir
culated, and the barbarians took their
leave—hut alas, for them not so rich
as they'came. In the promise utter
ed by one of their number in a single
breath, they had forfeited “//re pound
of flesh,” and it will be unyieldingly
exacted of them.
More land! Yes Winnebago, tlie
heel of the foot of tlie white man is al
ready upon your soil, and ere long,
the whole will be pressed down and
made to cover it.
It is right doubtless: for it is per
mitted of Heaven. The decree of
extermination has gone forth against
the entire Aboriginal race that yet
haunt our forests and wilds, as surely,
as irreversibly as ever against tlie Ca-
naanites of old. And their destruc
tion lingers not. “As the wing of the
whirlwind swift,” it hastes to over
take them. Civilization must dis
place barbarism. The fierce hunter
is compelled to give way to thc pa
tient husbaidman and skillful artisan;
and the wide-stretched solitude
which now yield precarious supplies
of subsistence in recompense ofhis
'.adventurous toils, will sooner or later
be parcelled into busy towns and smi
ling villages, and teeming fields, and
farms and gardens, and orchards. .
On, off the tide of our country’s
population rolls and sweeps. It pours
steadily forward, and will not stop
short of the Pacific. Year by year
our military posts are thrown deeper
into the wilderness; but they cannot
overtake the pioneers in 1 lie march of
civilized emigration. Whilst 1 write,
a new Territory by official recogni
tion is cowing into the pale of I he U-
nion: and another winter, the Dele
gate of Huron, in addition to those of
Arkansas and. Michigan, will doubtless
W r e are inclined to think that, by the
following law of Georgia, many honest
and clever Creeks, will sutler unjustly.—
The law savours more of oppression than
any thing else. Indians are never in the
habit ef being troublesome, except perhaps
when intoxicated; in that ease, the man
vho furnishes whiskey ought to go, vv.th
tlie transgressing Indian, to jail.
AN ACT to protect the homier settle
ments oi this State troin the intrusion of
the. Indians of the Creek nation.
Whereas many ihconveniuices and
injuries result, to the citizens ol tills
Mate in the frontier counties, from the
unlimited intercourse of the Inmans of
said nation, by disturbing the peace
and tranquillity and destroying and pur
loining the property of its citizens—
For remedy whereof,
Be it enacted by the Senate and
House of Representatives of the State
ol Georgia, in General Assembly met,
and it is hereby enacted by the author
ity aforesaid, that from and after the
passage of this act, it shall not be law
ful for any Indian or descendant of an
Indian belonging to the Creek nation of
Indians to cross the liver Chattahoo
chee and enter upon the territory of
said State under any pretext whatev
er, except they have and can show a
written permit from the United States
Agent of said nation, specifying their
particular business, which permit
shall not exceed ten days dural ion.
Sec, 2. And be it further enacted
by the authority aforesaid, That
whenever any Indian of said nation
shall be found within the limits afore
said, it shall and may be lawful for a-
ny Judge of the Superior Courts of
this State, any Justices of the Inferior
court or Justice of peace, or the in
formation on oath of pny citizen of
said State, that any Indian or Indians
as aforesaid are strolling over thc ter
ritory of said State in any of the fron
tier counties, to issue their warrent
to the sheriff, his deputy or any Con
stable of said county and State, requi
ring the #aid officer to notify said In
dian or Indians to leave the territory
of said State forthwith—unless they
can shew a permit from said Agent,
and on thfiiv refusing to obey said or
der or exhibit said permit—to appre
hend said Indian or Indians and .bring
them before the magistrate having co<£-