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