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CJitliJIlMLEJS FHIENIX, MB IIBIMS’ AI
£ ti
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-wr'N
P.u.vr;3:> UNDHtt Tits FATltONACtB, AND FDlt TUB BENEFIT OF THE CHEUOKEB NATION, A NO DEVOTED TO THE CALSE OF INDiAN
-i;. LI I LiLCTl, J DiTCli
vain ii.
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NBW EOHOTA, WEDNESDAY MAfeOH 3, 1830.
NO. 46.
C tV y Jif.H'O*.! *9 D h S 1 J E A G .1.
VOAVX-sK.I TAJ) 1° tf-V* JfufBA.l I'4ct)..I
priety, suppose that such altacliment s
were inflexhrle.' ‘■We now know that M
Indians ai'o .favorably situated lor im
place. Most ether tribes are inca- ships arrive at Jamestown and sel up : few individuals arc found who do not
liable of of assuming the altitude ol a ja claim to the whole United States’J ding to the land of their ancestors;
party in making arrangements foi territories. Would we readily ad- and hover over their tombs, until
provement, they will improve them- | their future residence. With thi.se init that the law of nations made it. forced to retire by means not to l.e
selves.’ Let it be remembered, that | it is otherwise. The Chfirokces par- theirs by the right of discovery/—i rcsisled. Let us be poinled to one
this is the testimony of one, who, the j ticularly have shown themselves capa- j I ney take possession; hut when re-j single tribe that was, or is erratic,
Reviewer says,is - an able & dispassion- 1 ble ol framing a judicious constitution tiring heiorc a people of an entirely 1 and so much ot the matter at issue is
ate laborer in the great field of aborigin
al improvement,’ and lias a light to
speak on this subject.’ 1 he Review
er attempts to show that the failure
of past efforts to improve the Indians,
arises from their inherent character.
ol civil government, and a wholesome, separate interest from oms, and of a i conceded But it is fearlessly asserf-
codeoflaws. They have come out superior strength, could we suppose,; ed that no such tribe has ever been
<■-! boldly, and declared their legal rigid that on the great day of retribution,! known to exist on our continent,
e to the country they at present occupy, ' they would be free from all aecus:;-1 Indians have an idea if tide to
the
east of the Mississippi. All this is lions of injustice towards us; and tlwi soil.— Again it has been asserted that
well. We are gratified to discover lhoy would ‘-then appear in the white-! “the Indians have ito idea of a title to
Mr. McCoy on the contrary, contends among them so much manliness and ness of innocence?” Prefer your j the soil itself.’’ This is an assump*
that it is owing entirely to the treat-j good sense. lienee, we infer the‘pica, and t lie Indian adopts against us lion without the shadow of evidence, v
ment of w hite men towards them.— j readiness with which they w ill ex-j with peculiar propriety. ; indeed, it is at variance with the re*
and he adduces (he Clierokees as tri- i change countries, as soon as they shall
umphant proof of his position. Place perceive that it w ill be for their in-
the Indians, he says, in a land they j tei’c-sl so to do.”
can call their own, and they will be- We do not now claim that the tesli
coinc civilized. Place before them nunyof Mr. M. is to bo relied on; but
But they are savages, The names cur retie of positive and well known
we have given to the Indians arc | facts. It has been the misfortune
merely arbitrary, and are made to ol the Indian that he was incapable of
signify nothing mere, than that their | recording on parchment his’views of
manners and customs differ from ouis;. ibis subject, or of publishing them to
the motives which act on w hite men, j wo do claim—and justice claim, that and, in our estimation arc less desira- i ibe world, and pleading Lis own cause-,
and vve shall sue a similar result.— those who use his name to persuade ble. Let us suppose invaders of our; But ask the Commissioners of the Uni*
Thc Reviewer says that there is nut ' others that the Clierokees are a | rights, uiging the same plea, and our j ted States'who have encountered s<5
M3.1 upon the face of the globe, a more | wretched race, and that nothing hut quest ion is answered. We found the many difficulties in negotiating with
‘wretched race that the Clierokees removal can save them from exliiic-, natives living in those modes of life j tie natives tor cessions of their lr.iias,
lion, should stale his opinions and whie h tin. y, as a people, chose for: md they will tell you, the assumpt.on
statements fairly. This Mey dare not i themselves; rnd we should he found j is untenable. Look to the whole"
do—with the qiialifiealoin that he is | by oui invaders in the exercise of the ! course of Indian conduct relative to
the comfortable condition oftheChcr-
lisi.iF, .ifiWn.ioTiy kta n4>p co
W4.».l TCTZ TK.UOT’ D0.1.»,»I*i».I. ,
ti-t ■ present. Mr. McCoy, on the coa-
•r<rz t?4P Ti30“.V T11 DOJ-sjae-o^i, kt . .. ,
.... t-* vtv trarv, dwells with evident delight on
d»4 o s e.iDJt tb yw - ’ °-
DOl.SJee'JB.i, o-y.AT i)3i’ cpo.ib.i
i.ovyz C’-’Cvit wee
O'oir.t 1-4JB.I *M!MV5r<rz te^o-s* do-
KT.TZ D?l 3 QftY'V* or.tn"
v.ik
okees. He adduces a great number not fully entitled to credit, on this same, liberty. Surely the round of [the case ever since the settlements of
to the whiles on the continent, aim ati
of statistical facts to show their pro-j point. And if the qualification is ! nature cannot furnish an argument
gress in ‘civilization. And instead of ! correct, how can they in const ience justify the ta
,ing awav ol a pen
tie s uniled voice, as of many wateis, will
ascribing it to the efforts of govern- or in honesly make use of bis state- , country, merely bee.i.ise ilie i /habit- : It'll you. Or. visit the Indians in their
AGENTS FAR THE CHEROKEE
PHIE-NIX.
T!n folbwlnir persons avr authorized to
rpcoivt* subscript ions and payments for tbe
.Cherokee Phoenix.
Messrs. Peirce St "Williams, No. 20
Market St. Biston, Mass. . ...
Georgs M. Tracy, Age. u of the A. B - of the preceding fuels, it is presumed
-C. F. M. Now York. ! that none will hesitate to admit that
1W. A. D Eody, Canamlapriin, N. V. j (hc Clu.rokees are a civilized people.
Pom.?^ Va. Tll(, .V have among vl.cn men off lassie
Rev. James Campbell, Beaufort, S. C.
William Moultrie Rsio, Charleston,
a. c.
men'., or to the influence of the half- merits, and opinion, and name against ants have
breeds, as tbe Reviewer does, lie Ibe Clierokees.
says, ‘The work of civilization a-j We shall remark on only om
mnug the Clierokees appears to hare statement in the pamph'et.
been commenced by themselves; and, by McCoy represents the counfry
themselves, witliout assistance from the
whites, carried forward to a very
hopeful extent ’ He says, ‘In view
their
ntj.« e
!l I ,
i*A 1 .
\\ esi
.V,
•V •
city
(lie
I he
•■■.il
ium!
Col. George Smith, Statesville, W. T.
•Jbrsmi vu An ST in, Mobile, Ala.
Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, Mayhew, Choc
taw Nation.
Cipt. William Robertson, Augusta,
‘Georgia.
Col. James Turk, Bellcfonle, Ala.
INDIANS.
Worn the Connecticut Observer.
/REMARKS ON1NDIVN REFORM.
We are indebted to a member of
the Georgia delegation in Congress,
for a copy of Remarks on Indian Re
form, by Rev. Isaac McCoy, a Bap
tist Missionary among the Potawala-
mies in Michigan. Second edition,—
New York, 1829. When we sat
down to the perusal of this pamphlet,
we had no acquaintance with its con
tents, except from iha parts quoted .... . F
bv the writer in the last North Arner- j d f avor t0 dispanige.the other_ part ot
lean Review, oil the ‘Removal of the ! Ills testimony
Indians.’ From those extracts, and
from the Reviewer’s high commend
ations of Mr. McCoy, we expected to
.find o l every page, facts opposed lo
Ihe statements of William Penn, and
to others who have written in favor of
the Clierokees. But we were m ich
disappointed. Mr. McCoy does in
deed agree with the Reviewer in the
policy of removing the Indians across
IV* PrM* tlia npon! ni > IP/* t
al education and reii-.ed manners It
rs not p: ■.'tended that every individual
deserves the appellation al' civilized.-
neither does every individual whom
we claim as a citizen of the r ui|ed
States, merit the liib*.” •\ >.nn flic
Reviewer lumps all Indians ifr.et'icr,
and writes on the parcel, w.tcivihzcuY
— 1 ‘unchangeable.’—holding tindi a
death grasp to their old institutions.
But Mr McCoy says, ‘Can anv thing
in nature be more ptair and ccmvinc-
iug, than the striking contrast net veen
the iniserabe wretches on small res
ervations, or those on our frontier?--
and those flourishing counties, towns,
and villages, which arc inhabited by the
ChcrokeesV*
On the whole, we cease to wonder
that the Reviewer, after introducing
his witness with high commendations,
making ns* of that part of his testi-
mouy, which made for his own side,
Should suddenly (urn about, and eu*
loo.
IV '• \
T
' vnt
if the i end' ort Ackan
is propose 1 .- • ;■•« mauent
den‘e oldie ’lrtiaas, h
litvo ably than others do ~n
says.. We admit that th<-r> I? u
of timber generally luitu
district vve have deseiibeu.’
Witho'ut impeaching tins veracity of 'i his is
Mr. McCtij’, il. m >y bvi obsei-vci th;i
in tlie cii c iiius*ancos in ■■■ (n it vi.v
ited the country if is no strong; i
all its advantages r.ppeared i;i do i
li.il! magiiflude, aad ils dis.ulvoni■_>
should either escape notice, or he un
derrated l'o say nothing ol - l.e
known wishes ol government io
rid of the troubles caused by the i -.si-
de-. ce of the Indians eu (he east oldie
Mississippi ol her feelings may liave
impeivcptib-)v inlluenced Ids jmlg- m.a-civ
me;:!. Prcviou' to* his explm ing tour i;.y --v«
in 18.26, he !ta;i pabi-’sbe-! bis views.on Tlmy
the subject ol th-; ronii- at ol the In- e-:i an."
dm os lie regards bis . • i*m as tin- on- ytdv >■'
lv one which could save (he muiliern !i-I i
(lilies from extinct ion. and would be
best for all (he tribes No other
pari of the c.ouidry. but this, was
free - from insuperable difficulties.
living; when too. !
which disi'ci from !
(ions, are the tcs-.i
choice, and in.. •
j-.!:: co of . (b •
4 no f Oil:, i,
are m--)->dv ; •:
i i-.-ni o: •
limes ; •• . ' ..
(■ •!». ./■•■.• :
s of | tents, and (liey will tell you them*'
ol life, selves and that too, in expressions of
,: bcr na- grief rial despair, lb,at, unless youf
cnii fre« ' carl he cased in adamant, will
, tubed tbe j you both si»h and weep. Indians art'
j ru-t-dlv siding by me wliife I pert
ui t
at is
t V.yjtbis -, ciragraph: 1 cannot be uiista-
ken.
Uie
id of a
l-ns ae-
t of
hi to . t f >!
c'C'.v-.mCi; OH. 1 S(' . ,l\ *'
■ ,i • ort.-iin .,-itent t i In.
■)i i ’it (’; OIV ier so* ’ !-«irn!
■:erer ti- cd cr;ii ciy i
i a porti.. of subsi'iioi:c
; it rs. has almost in\ ni ;
ken !w (he ■■ b: so B.
• *heerbt ! hat lies tin
LORM'i] A MLR 1C AN RLVILW.
India)!', - Cue of tin papos tives
ihedol 1 i'.ii.g, as (he substance o: an
U. i. Urn North Ameikan Re*
' *vw, on he Inc.ians. It is netmcss
io; es (O S '_v. that V hat is said ol
any. ,u.(it ability f civilizing
; - - t-onf rs-.ieled’by existing f;
m case of the Clierokees
otj.i rs.
- ■ i r n i J-
llifl
ill-
, < s
nd
b j r;)
! 1 i V
r.jVot i( 4
i i*les * o iaiid
H is not true thn< hie Indian
J
!:.st
Iff
! h »>
iii-i!.
■IHIl,
< ,.r
i-..opi
ft- cidc
tbo;sand
t ho aj.d
lived •: ti)i vu nee o
oai-.s in whose shades (bey i v'i-Sin
from tiim imnv morial
Tl-.c-ii eotmti) i\: >. di' ided ni
tbe several tribes;
of each was not fi\nd
u ill.
nr»r l j-
the Mississippi,—for the great oliject
of hi, pamphlet is to advocate this
measure. It seems to be a favorite
scheme with him But on almost ev
ery oilier point concerning Indians,
tie differs as much from the Reviewer
as William I’enn does, lie contends
strenuously that the Indians have a le
gal right to the soil of their country—
a right much better than any which
the whites can claim. The Review
er labors hard and long, to show that
the Indians are so fixed in their at
tachment to their old habits and insti
tutions, that it is impossible to civil
ize them. Mr. McCoy, on the other
hand, says repeatedly that ‘it has been
greatly the misfortune of the Indians
that their white neighbors have gener
ally supposed them to be inflexibly
attached to their huntings, and wiki
customs.’ ‘There is, says he, scarce
ly i heathen nation upon earth, of
If this region should prove unfit foi
their residenc e, the whole* scheme tude equal to that which marks the
would fail. Now it Would be nothing boundaries of our several Slates am!
William Peiin himsoif strange, if in these circumstances, he , Territories yet if was with a preei-
jio—. ot the missionaries among the should judge more favorably of the sion which they deemed sufficient, and
exigencies be nothing.
d spirits and other ad
■' not removing the in
Ci.-o- gh mu ti' may be gained in
,i lime, by colonizing them (<
,| !v • °? l:M °* Africa; or sending recruits lo
i ' hey '.Vest, h n atters liitie, to 8
"•hi, fed man, in uhot forests iu pur-
'■•‘ s his game, or from what river be
ii;v.v s his fish. When these become
scarce in one region, he nil! st<-k
'hem in an. (ncr. lie is cutiilt-.i ;o
justice at our hands, but scarce k lo
sympathy, unless we would favor
. , , . cruelty, barbarity mid ignorance.-*
Hi-.d i: I lie bounds The march ot civilize: ion. is i,is » x-
tiuction; and as i| has been said o at
•slaves cannot live in b'nghmd if,
/nay he safely affirmed that an In
dian cannot exist in a siate of refine
lie
- , ■ i r ,i f i* ... * ment. He must he v\ ml or he mc^f
Ciierokees—not even the Cherokee i coimt ‘7 as resilience lor the Indians. , which we admit, met the exigencies be nothing. lie thrives in the
Phoenix, h.,ve testified more pointedly 'ban facts would warrant. j of their situation, equally as well as but dwindles in open fields. Uut if
against the. Reviewer, in all the cs-j Wegive a few extracts to show the . our lines meet the circumstances of there is justice in the country tl
sential poi.i.s of the case, than Mr. opinion of M. McCoy, respecting the i ours War among themselves, whe- arm of Georgia and Alabama^ sh If
McCoy has done. I right of the Indians to their land.— j ther on account of a disputed ten^ito-1, 10l j} jrce |,: m p,. 0(r ] |,; s p,f scnt licmie
Jlie reviewer, however, stion^fy
We would ask those who deny that
the Clierokees are civilized—who
still contend that they arc nothing Inti
right of the Indians to their land
Those who say that the Indians are ry, or of some other thing, was no-
nothing hut sarage hunters and erratic j thing new in the history of nations. It
tribes, who have no idea of a title to ; becomes us lo feel for their misf'or-
hunters and wretched vagabonds—and l ’ ie sn ^ Iheir country, may see what I tunes; but not on account thereof, to
do it on the autborty of^Mr. M’Coy^ s » ,he opinioti of a man who, we have | frame a pretext for possessing onr-
to look at one single fact. Mr. Me-! * )een 011 high authority 1 ‘has a ; selves of their country. What law-
right to speak on (his subject.’ j of nations has prescribed the amount
“Believing that the doctrine which kind a people must cultivate in
Coy adduces the example of Ihe
Clierokees as one of the strongest ar
guments iu proof of the utility of his influenced Europeans on their diseov
plan. He says that the policy of gov
ernment towards the Iudiaos has been
wrong. ‘We are now admonished, in
terms clear and distinct, the language
of well-known facts, whul we ought not
ery of America, and which has been
entailed on us, is unsound, and has ev
er been a fruitful source of calamities
to the natives, and Ihe unnecessary
occasion of much perplexity to the
to do. The question, therefore, pre- j United States, I solicit the render’s
sents itself singly, JVhat ought wc to \ attention to a brief consideration of
do7 Let the history of the Clierokees
and their neighbors teach us. Unless
we colonize these people, and place
the subject.
What claim to the soil, could the
people of the U. States or any other
proportion to each individual; the por
tion of food they must fake from the
waters, or the woods; and the dis-
I taiices they may, and may not travel
in pursuit of their occupations, in or
der to render them eligible to the pos
session of territory and to charac
ter?
Indians not entitle.—As an apology
for our conduct, we have been told
that these were “erratic nations.” in-
tliem in circumstances similar to those of j people, prefer to an impartial tribu
the Clierokees,they will inevitably perish.', nal, which the natives could not plead
Again, in his chapter ‘On the removal J with equal, or additional propriety?
of the Indians to the Colony’ which he i The Indians are the Aborigines of the
had proposed, he says— country. We have not discovered an
“The circumstances of the Cbero- j uninhabited region but a peopled eoun-
‘cees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and: try. Let us suppose (lie Chinese at
advocates the plan ol removiiio- the
Indians west of the Mississippi. 6 But
tbe editor of the Connecticut Obser
ver has noticed several things which
detract from the conclusiveness of his
yen son ing; such as the follow i-,^,
“The raviow er candidly tells ns he
does not profess to be intimately ac
quainted, from personal observation
with any but the more northern
tribes. “He ascribes to tfie whol©
race of reel men one uniform mid fix
ed character;”[whereas “it will hard
ly do to make a Wyandot sit for the
likeness of a Cherokee.”] “J n p; s
statements respecting the Clierokees
he differs widely from some who haU
had personal acquaintance with the
Humber, of peopling the whole coun
try.” Now I would ask for some ev
idence to support this assertion.”—
Where is the nation, or tribe that is
erratic in a national capacity? Pre
cisely the reverse is the fact. It is
Creeks, east of the Mississippi l iver, : this day to be ignorant of the country ! well known thatfeaeh tribe is pcculiar-
\vhich we might not, with more pro-1 met it a distinct consideration in this j of the United States; a company of i ly attached to its own distric t, and
capable, by the smallness of their /</c/s.” “lip contradicts his own fa
vorite witness,” [Mr. M’Coy,]-
& finally “the writer contradicts him
self. He says of the Indians. ‘Gov
ernment is unknow n among thehi; cer
tainly that government which pie-
scribes general rules and tiiffcrces or
vindicates them. They have hoc rim*
mal code, courts., ho officers, to