Cherokee phoenix, and Indians' advocate. (New Echota [Ga.]) 1829-1834, March 18, 1829, Image 2

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M'".LULU" —" Ag«lLLi!! ■ ■' to depend uu U i k.iut\ ol several m a of t >me influence, who say they are only waiting to see what their im provements would be valued to, and to receive a part ol it, aud that then they are ready to go. Extracts of a letter from Col. Alc- Kenneij to Col. //. Montgomery, auied December 22d, 182b. 1 Ax hibaldR. b Hunter, Esquire, and James S. Bridges, have been ap pointed by the President to value the : letters from uvo Indian young ohn, of property the emigrating Cherokees the Choctaw Avaaemy at the Blue milv abandon. They are directed to 1 Springs, Kentucky, addressed to a report immediately to you. \ou w ill member of the United States Senate, cause them to be informed of the : One of them states that more than property now to be valued, and of all attend him; and I have declined re potting the carsu until 1 lound whi ther he would live or die. He has social recovered as to return to the agency. It is thus that those Indians are left to exercise their own pleasure on the subject ol emigration. Respectfully, your obedient ser vant, H MONTGOMERY. Hon. Secretary of War. INDIAN IMPROVEMENT. The Columbian Jiegister contains *uch as may be abandoned in future “On receiving the certificate which the agents are directed to give to each Indian, you will forward a copy to Major E. W. Duval, directed to him at Little Rock, Arkansas Terri tory. in time for him to receive it by tin- arrival of the Indian, who will cany with him a duplicate; and on presenting of which, - lie is to receive payment of Major Duval, except in such cases as the wants of (lie Indians m >y require payment to be made by you. ’ “It is heiived to he a kind policy towards the Indians to induce them to receive payment west of the Missis sippi; since, if it is paid here, they will go there poor, and have no means to pay for improvements; besides, it will correct the evil of their remain- ■inr. as some have done heretofore, and skulking about the country, and finally not going at all.” Cherokf.e Agency, 26f/i November 1823. Sir: Since writing to you on the 24th instant, 1 have received a letter from Messrs. Heard and Cook, of Au gusta, a copy of which is enclosed. The eleven bales. I have no doubt, are the blankets, and the twenty-three large hogsheads, I suppose, must con tain the 750 tin kettles; but how to get those twenty-three large hogs heads here, is what I am at a loss to know: sure l am that they cannot be got here for double or treble what the 'in bu kets would be worth when here. The least 1 could calculate on getting them brought for would be a- bout 40 dollars per hogsheird; which, for twenty-three hogsheads, would be 92 ) dollars, besides the present pri ces and charges - , and when here, would be worth 750 dollars. 1 had expect ed. until I received the bill of lading, brass kettles, such as they used in cook in*, &c., and so do the Indians; and, I fear, if here, the Indians would not receive them, as they would be of little use to them, and as they expect others; and, besides the brass kettles would have been the cheapest in the end, as their shapes are such that one would go in another, &c.; so that three or four hogsheads would have held them, in place of twenty-three. T te price of wagoning from Augus ta here is four dollars per hundred ; but those hogsheads are so bulky and light, that no wagoner will haul them for less than from four to five times that sum, per hogshead. It seems to me that it would be best for the Government to have them told in Augusta for what they would •bring, and pay the Indians an average price, in lieu of them in money. 1 Indeed it would he for the interest of the Government to roll them in the river, rather than pay for hauling them to this place. I shall write to Messrs. Heard and Cook to forward such loading as they can get hauled at the ordinary prices, by which I hope to get the guns and blankets, and wait your instructions about the balance. Iam at a loss to know why the Tides arc' not arrived, nor heard from. I have the honor to be your obed ient servant, H. MONTGOMERY. Hon. Secretary of War, Washington City. Cherokee Agency, 3d January 182§. Sir: On Christmas day, Major Walker, an emigrant, unfortunately went to an Indian dance about four m : 'es from this. \s soon ns he arrived, Arehy Foreman (the same who was concerned in thp assault on Captain Rogers with Spear) and others com menced an assault on him. and beat him so that his life was despaired of O r at least doubted fo- s vera’ days < A physician was called, and scut out to GOO have, in the vicinity, recently declared themselves subjects of the King of Saints We annex the fol low ng ext raet.—Philaiiclphian. * But it will he more interesting to every friend of Christ, when he learns that even the tawney sons of the A- meriean forests compose a small part of this happy number: this is truly and literally fulfilling that portion of Di vine J> ripture, where one of the an cient apostles said, ‘The Lord is no respecter of persons. There are eigh teen of the Choctaw, and two ol the Creek students of this institution, who have united themselves to the Baptist society, and twelve of the Creek stu dents, who have joined the Methodist denomination. We have lately received intelligence from the Choctaw nation, stating— that there had been upwards .of three hundred of the natives there, who had bowed to the mild sceptre of Prince Immanuel, within the space oi a few months: and they have written on here to Bro. Sampson Birch to re turn to his native land, and preach the Gospel to them in their own language; and as a proper and necessary prepa ration for the business, he has been ordained a minister of the gospel at the Crossings church, and probably will leave these parts some time in the Spring to return, and tell his peo ple of Jesus Christ and him crucified. We have great evidence to believe that the Lord is faithful to his prom ises in regard to the human family, and will show forth and carry on his mighty works until the day of Jests Christ. When I cast my eyes some half a century back, to the early period when North America began to be in habited by the white population, and see the hostility that existed between the red and the white man, I am struck with astonishment and admira tion at the great changes which have been effected by the almighty hand of Providence among mankind, in the cou'-se of a few annual revolutions of time—yes. when we reflect with how much eagerness the gun and sword were employed by those two classes of men in destroying the lives of each other, and now see them both we* shipipping the same one God and flock ing around the standard of King Jesus, as doves to their windows, it should cheer and revive every Christian heart. And now inethinks the period has fullv arrived, when we might em phatically say. the lion and the lamb have lain down together under the same vine and fig tree. Yes, I look forward with pleasing anticipation, to the time when the fierce savage yell will he calmed from the shores of the Atlantic to the Pacific, be converted into the song of Zion, echo through the heal'hfnl vallies of North America, and he heard from pole to pole.” his emigrating party, and tefag to a credu- •us, wai nnluced to believe a statement winch we do not think can be proved. We hope tie General Government will not be inclined to make the nation accountable tor lie act:, of individual person^ If any tbreils have been made (we do not how- eve,' believe there have been any) by any of the citizens of this nation, it lias been done upon individual responsibly, What Col. M’Kcnncy means, in his let ter to the Secretary ol War, by the expres sion, “by threats and otherwisemay be learnt by recurring to the letter of Ceil. Montgomery of 26th September, ni which these words occui; “and finding that eve ry possible means bad been used, both in their paper ar.d verbally, by the chiefs” &c. Now hear the remedy—“ The presence of an armed force':' We are then soon to be awed into silence by implements of war fare. Here is a grand w ay “fo secure the freedom of will” Col. M’Kenney and all who are concerned in the emigrating scheme, are respectfully informed, that the will of the people of tins nation is free, and the chiefs do not need to be instructed on this subject by soldiers. We have always considered the induce ments, to a savage life beyond the Missis- ■ippi, great. Our correspondent Quix ote has furnished an evidence to show that we are not mistaken. The Cherokees have pot sufficient civilization to preserve them from the temptations wbioh a wild and un cultivated, and withal, a poor country alfords. “A Cherokee Farmer” is a man of unquestionable veracity, and bisas- s*rtions in regard to the Western Country leserye the fullest credit. estfng Cherokee aoiriirmnifcat'ions, which, if our.tiine would allow, wt shoulu beglau to present to our English readers. Most ofthem are from Creek Path, which has afforded more emigrants than any single neighbor hood in the nation. It appears that a meeting was held there, for the purpose ol ascertaining the views and feelings of the people on the subject of emigration. We lcain, with the exception of those who have already emigrated, that the people arc opposed to it. We learn further, that some of those who leave the country as emigrants do not go peaceably. The,y move oft clandestinely in order to avoid paying their just debts. It is calculated upon probable supposi tions, in order to remove the whole Ohero- kee Nation, it will require about Three Millions of Dollars. We should think with this sum every Indian tribe in the U. States might be civilized and rendered happy. We have seen a letter from the Choctaw nation, which states that the prospects of religion among that people are encourag ing,particularly at Ai-ik-hun-na,a missiona ry station under the care c£ the Amer.can Board of Foreign Missions. Quite a num ber, it is hoped, have passed from death un to life What is still more encouraging is, two of the principal chiefs, Col. Fol som and Col. Leflore, have taken a decided interest in the r*ligious prosperity of their people, and arc using their efforts to pro mote their moral improvement. The seed sown during eleven years is beginning to spring up. “In due time ye shall reap if ye faint not.” YEW KCIIOTA; WliDNUKDAY, MARCH IS, 1829. We understand from a worthy corres pondent in the Valley Towns, in this na tion, that there is quite an attention to re ligion in that section. He writes to us.— “I received fifty copies of the Hvmn Book by E and they' have only produced an ardent thirst for more without satisfying it. 1 wish you to forward more* without de lay'. You would be greatly pleased to wit ness the attention to the Gospel which is manifested all through the Valley Towns, and I have good hopes that the Spirit of God has wrought an effectual change in the hearts of some. « • » # * » I hope you will soon have the little Scrip ture tract ready for distribution. The peo ple here are hungering forthe word ofGod. As soon as they are ready, do not fail to send me some.” Col. M’Kenney, in his letter to the Sec retary of War, repeals w hat has been fre quently said, that the Chiefs of the South ern lnd:ans prevent the emigration oftheir people by threats. The Cherokees are no doubt included, and the opinion derived from Col. Montgomery’s letters tothaWar Department. Our readers will recollect a correspondence which we published sometime since between Col. Montgomery and Mr. John Ross, in which the former expressed his belief, that threats were employed by the Chiefs to retard emigra tion. The latter stated that lie was igno rant of any threats, and requested the A- grnt if he knew of any to particularize them. This was not complied with, nor can it be with truth, for to our most certain knowledge, the chiefs, as such, and as a body, are innocent of the accusation as far as threats are concerned. The A- gent was no doubt imposed upon by some designing white men, perhaps by some of * Our correspondent thinks 200 copies will be necessary to supply the people in that neighborhood. We understand that two thieves were lately tried at Coosewaytee. One was a very noted one*, whose name we had the honor of publishing in our paper. Both were found guilty. The principal one re ceived one hundred lashes on the bare back) and the other fifty. TO CORRESPONDENTS Quixote wnl be inserted in our next. Philanthropist has our thanks for his communication—his subject is an interest ing one. He shall have a place in our next. Complaints have been made to us by some of our subscribers, that they do not receive the Phoenix regular^. The delin quency must rest on the Post Masters, for we deposite our papers regularly on Weil nesday evening, in the post office at this place. During the last and previous week, we have received a number of orders from out subscribers to discontinue their papers We tender our thanks to those who have forwarded us our little dues. But some have only sent us orders lo stop, and not a cent to pay for our year’s labour. When do they intend to pav us? fathers have paid us only 82,50, w hen $3,50 was due We hope a word to the wise will he suffi cient. FOR THE CHEROKEE PHtEKlX, Mr. Editor—Last babbath we enjoyed a delightful season, at the ta ble of our Lurd. Alter a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Chamberlain, from these words, “And ye are Christ’s, " a good ly number of our Christian brethien in this vicinity sat down together to a feast prepared, as Hell for the red as the white man. It was pleasing to notice the good order and decorum of the congregation, notwithstanding it was large and the weather cold', but it was inexpressibly more pleasing to see our brethren and kindred accord ing to the flesh, who not long since were strangers to the Gospel, now' apparently, “fellow citizens with the Saints and of the household of God.” Once they were “a dark bewildered race;” now they are singing redeem ing grace and dying love. A scene which Kings and Prophets desired to see, but saw it not. O! the inestim able value of the gospel. May it con tinue to spread, until every part of our country shall be illumined by its divine rays. But here I pause, in melancholy suspense, in view of the storm that is gathering over our beloved country, the Ottoman-like policy, that threat ens to entomb our laws, our most sa cred lights and privileges in oblivion, and to put an end to our national ex istence. While Georgia is divesting us of rights so strongly interwoven with our nature, Agents of the United States are visiting us at our fire sides, to persuade and induce us to emigrate westward. This posture of affairs is adverse to the progress of religion and other im provements, in the nation. The peo ple, more or less, become restless and uneasy, and are diverted from their various useful pursuits and their con fidenee in the faith of the General Government is on the decline; and should this agitated state of things con tinue long, there is too much reason to believe that our days as a nation, are numbered. Some perhaps will hast en their steps with sorrow' towards the setting sun, while others will seek in the shades of death, a refuge from the proud oppressor’s hard. We are told that we must go west ward, that there we shall become a great people. But what nation or tribe have rendered themselves pros perous by removing into the wilds of the west? To the Cherokees on the Arkansas, we are attached by ties of blood as well ad affection. We feel the tenderest solicitude for their well being. But they are by no meaus prosperous. They are yet without salutary laws and regulations. As it was in this country about twenty years hack, there is often much confusion and intestine broils among them; and the emigration of their people to the Snanish country is not unfrequent. O ving to their frontier situation too, they are often involved in sanguinary ivars with the neighboring tribes.— Under these then and other causes, improvement must go on but slowly For their prosperity, however, we have a strong wish. The Shawnees and Delawares, once powerful tribes, are now wandering somewhere in the west, in pursuit of the deer and buffalo, and their past history demonstrates, that they are fast approaching to extinction. But in case we should emigr 'te as a nation, where are we to go? Where is the country in the west, that will be congenial to Cherokee habits? Alas! there is none. The United States, by the late Treaty with the" Cherokees of Arkansas, have ceded the only country that was somewhat fit and suitable for us. West of that coun for 1lle tfuntcr an«T tile Suvage; tujfc' north of that, is loo celt! lei u* 1 ie- peat it, as v\cH lion my gecgiaplw ical knowledge as my travels, there none. \ What will be our fate, God oily knows. Georgia is extending her law8 over us and a't the-same time stripping us of every right and privi lege—agents of the United States are- assiduous to induce us -'fo quit our na tive homes. If this is net oppression, I know not what it si. Should we ti - ’ nally fall a sacrifice to the avarice of this fair, free and happy republic, a* it is called, the sad news, no doubt, will reach London, Paris, and Madrid, as a stigma on its boasted character?’' 'Nay the mournful story will be reiter ated in St. Petersburg. Oppressed Greece, too, will sympathize With U9 r and drop a tear over our funeral pile. But help comes from God. That Almighty and Righteous Being, in whose hand our breath is, and wh© presides over the destinies of nations, ive hope, will think upon us for good: In due time He sent the Gospel fo- the Cherokee nation, and He is able te protect it. Let us with humility look to Him for succour in this pecu liar time of nefcd. I trust our Christian friends, of eve-, ry denomination in the United Stntes, especially those in the State of Geor-v gin, will pray for us. A CHEROKEE FARMER. Willslown, Feb. 20th 1829. * By the last mail we received 6?Yml inter FOR THE CHEROKEE PUffiNlX. INDIAN EXPEDITION. A company of Arkansas CherokeeSy. consisting of thirty warriors, armed with rifles a few months ago, started on an expedition of exploration of th© country westward of the head sources of streams that flow from the Rocky Mountains. In the wild and wast® prairies, after a few daysjturney, ihey found a large party of Creeks, on th© same business, and who express <f pleasure at the chance of meeting; and proposed, for mutual safety, to unite, and join company in their pro gress westward. The proposition t\;.sr haughtily and indignantly rejected hy the Cherokees, who expressed their disinclination to form combinations oF friendship with people of another Na tion and language. The parties, after* this pursued their respective routs* but ranging in a westerly direction.—. The aspect of the country and natur© of the soil grew rapidly unfavorable, as they advanced in these unknown re gions. A point of distance had now been gained, to which the most adven turous of the Cherokees had never- been; and it was proposed to stop &■. while and trap for Ber-ver at the place. The Chief who led the party had wan- dered alone, some distance from his, people, to place his trap, when he, at a short distance, discovered four men, wild, unknown and savage Indians,' armed with botvs and arrows. Thfe Chiefs at home had instructed them to, form friendly relations with all the unknown Indians, who might be found in the expedition; and new a fit op- portunity presented itself to perfoiin, the duty. He walked up to thein % and offered his hand, which was re ceived. Signs of peace and friend ship, he next made, which were ap proved by the same mode of contmu-, nication. Confirmation of this friend ship was now proposed by the strin gers in the present of bows and arrow s, for which he gave them his gun. A dressed buffaloe skin was next pre sented, for which he gave his blanket. The third article was a pipe, for w hick he gave his butcher knife and toma hawk. The strangers now manifest ed a desire to accompany him to his camp and company, to which he a* greed, and conducted them towards it; but deemed it prudent to leave them a little out of sight of his party, which he did, and advanced alone to them, and communicated'Jhe result of his first interview with j,he unknown In dians, in the conclusion of friendship* according to the instructions and or ders of their Chiefs on the subject.— Their reply was one of contempt and indignation. “What have we to do with these Indians, but perform th© deeds of their enemies! Living in & country of wh'ioh we have no know ledge, of what benefit will their friend ship be to us? We will kill them.”—- Remonstrance was in vain, and they immediately ran to execute the threat ened barbarity. The Chief, natural ly hamane and honorable,exercised the only alternative left him. and flew to admonish his newly acquired friends of their approaching fate Hi« knowl, try f is cuio vast prairie, suitable only [ edge of the place, whore he left tbea^x