Cherokee phoenix, and Indians' advocate. (New Echota [Ga.]) 1829-1834, August 26, 1829, Image 2

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| patronage and power, should look to ; 1 it. No President has heretofore pro- ! to; RtJVnAL AMONG T1IE ClIOC- t 0 induce them to cultivate the arts of j "it. No President has heretofore pro-1 j TAWS, civilized life. This is the express j tended to have the power to parcel j j n the last number of the Religious object of the annual appropriation j oat the puoiic lands, and dispose ot j Intelligencer we find the follow ing tx made in their behalf. With some of j them without the sanction of Congress. tract of a j eltel . t0 the editor oftha the tribes particularly the Uherokees, j ihe proposition was introduced in p^per from the Rev. Turing S. V\ ill- these efforts h*ve not been in vain. 1 congress last winter, to divide the , liis, one of the missionaries o( the ious seats. This number constituted quite a majority of those present, who had nut been previously awakened, j The chief of this place has been, un- iu our State, &. to some cons{im, 0 . ia | provision for a system of cm u.-.ip ,ti 0a It is objected, indeed,that our Prop osition will give alarm to o.ir caVt-r'. u what say the Georgians to so kind country west ot ol the Mississippi mto and beneficent a work? Instead of districts for the Indians, to which r joicing in its success, they complain, they were to be driven, but it was iu- .. t Committee, of their Legislature dignanlly voted down, though support- complained on the 5th of Dec, 1627, j ed by a strong party feeling, and by a that the United States have con- few individuals, who should have stood trived “so to add to the comforts of as a wall ot delence to these helpless the Cherokees, and so to instruct them people. When this project could not in the business of husbandry, as to at- be faiily carried through congress, it American Board among the Choctaws. It describes a scene “more interest ing 11 as Mr. W. says, “Ilian lias ever been witnessed among the aborigines of our country since the davs of Brain- erd.” taeli them so firmly to their country and their homes, as almost to destroy the last ray of hope that they will ever consent to part with the Geor The cloud of mercy that seemed to hung over us for a lime, which at was attempted by indirection; this j ‘*'*t " as '* a lar S or ll <a» a '“ a,ls hand ’ also failed. It will be a new piece dent in our country, to enforce a rnca- has at length begun to pour down a most refreshing shower. It is indeed sure of high handed tyranny and op- j a rain ot righteousness;and this hitliei- lil very recently, exceedingly harden- i brethren, who are slave holders ed; spending his Sabbaths in ganiblin. with his people, within half a mile ot’ tiie Gospel. We hope he is now decidedly pious. lie prays, and weeps, and pleads, as a dying man, w ith his people; and it is not in vain. Great indeed is the m mil change among this people. Behold what hath God wrdftght. The station O named Ai-ik-huunah where I reside, has been highly favored since early in the w inter. Several of the Indians who joined the church two weeks since were from that settlement. on larger scale than we of the west, a , 1 Unit they are even already alarms at the anticipated power ot the to impose unlimited taxes on this SM , V cies of property. To this latter ol jeclion we answ er that we are \vi||j a . to see you provide any requisite anty against an undue exercise ui'Vc power, that thus the fears ofourejst- era brethren may be quieted. \y wish for nothing that is unfair. ’j\ the former objection wc say that ;!* a political view, we esteem slavery an evil greater than the a<">r .rr„* ii i " i i*i v '3 t,l L Qi U*UI LUII3UUI Itl IIOI l HUH INV wvi ' OUIVy J - I I J J. t * | cia lands.” Therefore it is necessa- 1 pression, bv order of the Executive, | l0 : very dry and barren waste begins vve hope not far from the kingdom oi j that we are perfectly willing lo L. o . . ... . . L 1 . . ^ ) to “bud and blossom as the rose. : r ri,«. ~ _r .»._ 1 . * - ry to break up their internal regula- %and the arm of military power, to Several others near the station, are j all the oilier evils which beset Us ;and tions for the promotion of virtue and which the sanction ot congress had been invoked i:i vain. The President says to the Creeks, the punishment of vice; to extend o vrr them oppressive laws, without at the some time granting them the privi leges of citizens; to debar them from the right of witnessing in a Court of Justice; to harrass them by running surveys through their country, and by seizing, under one pretence and ano ther, different portions of their terri tory. The Georgians well know that no man is proof against the power of multiform oppression: and hence, the i more their red neighbors can he in commoded and vexed, the more likely will they he to consent to a removal into the wilderness of the 'Vest. [The above will furnish a text for the Athenian, or some o f her paper, to throw out a little more personal abuse; and when that is done, we shall per haps afford them another opportunity etill. But we give them notice, that ns long as we are able to hold a pen, and as long as there remains a rem nant of the Indian tribes to sigh and bleed under the oppression of the white man, that remnant shall find us ready at all times to vindicate their rights, and expose the violence of their persecutors.] it is ail of God, and we would give hiUi all the glory; and we hope our Christian friends will join us in ren- 4 ‘Mv white children in Alabama have ; during thauksgiv ing and praise to him extended their law over your Country, j \ vno ,s v\ orthy; lor bis mere) enduielh If you remain in it, you must be sub- i forever. Iwo weeks ago a genet ul jeU to that law.” What right has j Reeling was held m the woods* about ihe state of Alabama to extend its laws over the Creek Country? None. From th° Hamilton Intelligencer. The United States never have claimed the land as their own, on which the Indians reside. In all our treaties and intercourse with them, we have recognized their right to the country which they occupy. The Constitution of the United States re cognizes it, nay more, we have so lemnly, time after time, confirmed this right. In the first treaty made with the Creeks, concluded at New- York, in the year 1700, the 5th arti cle stipulates, that, “the United States solemnly guaranty to the Creek Nation oil their lands within the United States, to the Southward and Westward of the boundary de scribed by the preceding article." In almost every subsequent treaty, the faith of the government lias been pledged, to protect the Indians in the peaceable possession &, enjoyment of the lands which they occupy. In the late treaty made at W asldngton in May 1820, by the 13th article, “the United States agree to guaranty to f he Creeks the country not herein ced ed, to which they have a just claim." We would like to be informed by what right we “we have always claimed the land where the Indians now live,” and how* we obtained it? However unjust and cruel may have been the measures hitherto pur sued towards the Indians, the forms and semblance of justice and good faith have generally been preserved. It remained for those now in power, for the tiist time, to set up a claim of right, to all the lands belonging to the Indians. Why has not this doctrine been avowed, and acted on before? — Why have w'e paid millions for the purchase of their lands and pledged the faith of the nation, that we will guaranty to the Indians the peaeeabie possession of the lands which are yet theirs and not curs, if wc now intend to disregard all these solemn obligations? 'fbe Indians are not citizens of the State. They are independent of its 1> miles from A vlayiiew , which con tinued three days, it was attended by brethren from different stations, ahd by some clergymen and Christian God. The converts, and awakened ; our proportion of the burden of remr persons are scattered over a consider-j ving it. Wo ask further, wlnt able extent of country, under the ju- j the evil of any such alarm as on risdielion of Col. Eolsom. But we j proposition may possibly excite i is our are made glad also with the prospects . minds unnecessarily jealous, com . si before our brethren in the South part e* ’** law s. If Georgia couid have driven j Mends from Mississippi and Alabama, the Creeks from that state bv law, \ 1 ; suppose there were not more than Governor Troup and his hot headed I Uimctaws present; yet, ol this partisans would have adopted that I number, 18 adults entered into solemn mode of proceeding long since. It is ! cpvenant with God s people, and en tile duty of the President to protect j jwyeii for the fust time the sealing the Indians against these encroach- i ordinance ol ihe Gospel, t ol. I ol- ments. He should say to their op- j 4 in , tlui principal chief of Ibis dis- pressors that the Indians shall be pro- triot, with three ot Ids bioineis, wete tccted in the enjoyment of their own this number. Iwo white men, country, that the Treaties and faith hired laborers in the elusion, also uni- of the nation shall he preserved invi- | ted with the church at that time, olate. He should stay the hand These persons dated their convictions which presses heavily on their heads, ■ principally Ironi. impiessions received South \ of the nation. The word has not been in vain. Our brethren there have long sown in tears, but they are now' beginning to reap in joy. S >me few individuals have been re cently awakened, and may now he called a praying people. Their chief also, is at least friendly, if not (as it is hop*»d he is) really seeking the sal vation of his soul. So that the three kings or principal chiefs of this na tion, are standing in defence of the Gospel. The letter concludes with the car nest entreaty that Christians of every denomination would pray for the missionaries that they may he hum ble, prudent and faithful, and for the and arrest the foot that was trampling ! M a meeting similar to tins s ‘ ;mr ‘ them to earth. months ago. We have had an inti- rv-i , . i*i •,* ! mate acquaintance w ii h them all, and Ihe onlv hope which remains to . , 1 . *• .. »• I could not hesitate in receiving them the Indian race is to live or d c around . . , ° i mto the bosom o the church, as most the graves of their fathers, and upon ’ Indians, many thousands of whom are still groping in Heathen dark ness. their native hills and plains. Those who promise them a good country, and rest, and protection, beyond the Mississippi, know that their promises are false. The Indians may read the sure presage of their fate in the starvation and wretchedness of the tribes that are now* west of the Mis sissippi. We believe a remnant of this race will vet find in our national councils firm and patriotic men, who w ill not desert their cause—the cause oHumanity and justice. hopeful subjects of renewing grace. But 1 must add, what calls for devout & incessant thunksgiv ing to God, that about eighty others ot this people were awakened lu a sense ot their sins ami danger, an l took the “anxious seats;” besides three or four white men and as many blacks. There w as a shak ing among the dry bones, and the ground was bedewed with the teais DO n KST1C. We publish to day a memorial ad dressed to the Contention of V iiginiu, by the inhabitants of Augusta in that slate, praying that bony to devise some plan for the gradual abolition of slavery w ithin ils boundaries. This J document exhibits a view of the sub- >outh part j e d with that of the fatal catastrophe dispensed j which ultimately awaits our counfrr and the general depravation of man ners which slavery has already p ru duced and is producing? These w» think sufficient answers to the objec tions mentioned above. In laying this subject before you, we are not insensible to its magnitude or its difficulties. We are aware, too, of the rooted prejudices whirl w c encounter, growing out of old hab its and present real or supposed iu- tciest. Nor are we indifferent to those imputations of enthusiasm and rashness which will probably be cast upon us in no stinted measure. But we know that no great good was ever i achieved without strenuous efforts, ; and that such efforts have always | been sul jeeted to reproachful impu* ; t at tons. We must, therefore, pa- j tit nlly submit to them; considering j them, in our turn os the ebulitious of heedless passion or uncompromising selfishness. The awful weight of the subject foibids any approach to it in the spirit of levity; and we feel assured that w e approach it with as much caution as those observe who turn away a ii, ! refuse to look it in lhe. face.' But we should esteem it mor al and political cowardice in us to re- ect winch we have no doubt is strict- i • , , • , . . •! i. •. i i i main silent on a subject so dt-tim m ly correct. 11 so, it would seem nti- *- 1 • possible lor the politicians and pat- pf repentance. Some trembled like j riuts of the state to shut their eyes, or ^ Lol' rlnl nn 1,1- tlicx ivi.1,1- tn-tnv iviuit slon their mis In the rermesf If the Indians alone were witnesses of our perfidy, we might protect our selves from merited reproach, in the same xvoy that the highway-man se cures himself against the testimony of the victim, whom he has robbed,—a few r more years of rapacity and op pression, will sweep the Indian from the face of this broad continent; but we cannot thus shield ourselves from the reprobation of the w orld. The assertion that “the land beyond the Mississippi belongs to the Presi dent, and to none other,” is assuming pretty high ground. Those who have said so much about executive Extract of a letter, dated Athens. August 3d, 1820. “I was exceeding sorry to see the censure which you cast, indirectly, or | in advance, on Col. Crowell, in your remarks on the statement of the Co- lumhns Enquirer, in relation to the In dians and Col. C. published in your paper of the 25th ult. It is true that that censure was founded on the pre sumption that the statement of the Enquirer was correct; and I have not the slightest doubt of your entire im partiality in the matter; hut perhaps it escaped your memory for the time, that the Enquirer has been most bit terly hostile to Co!. Crowell ever since its establishment, frequently using a- gainst him language of so unnecessari ly violent and abusive nature, as could leave no doubt that the feelings which dictated it were at least as much of a personal as a public character. It is extremely difficult,with such feelings,' to bestow” censure inpartially, and with a view to the public good alone: anil therefore those w ho possess them are not likely to lie good authority in statements with which they may in terfere, and particularly those in which they appear to do so. Those who know’ Col. Crowell peisonaliy, and have judged impartially of liis conduct as Indian Agent, must be deeply and regretfully sensible that few men have been more violently and unjustly assailed in the bitterness of party spirit, and for the mere sake of party success. Immediately that I' saw the statement of the Enquirer, I felt convinced of its improbability in general; and particularly of its injus tice to Co!. Crowell; and the counter statement of Col. C. and another per son, as published in the Macon Tele graph of the 25th ultimo, (which I doubt not you have copied ere this) fully confirmed this conviction.—I trust too it will convince the public of the propriety of receiving with cau tion, hereafter, all remarks of the Columbus Enquirer which relate in any way to Col. Crowell.”—Augustal Chronicle. j a leaf shaken by the w ind; many wept and sobbed with groanings that cannot be uttered. All were solemn. All the clergymen and Christian friends v\ ho witnessed the scene, I el t that it was the Lord by his Holy Spirit. There was an overpowering, an ir resistible evidence of this. Here were seen very aged Indians of both sexes—(one woman n hundred years old,) middle-aged, youth, and children, (locking, as clouds, and doves to their .w indows, to the place appointed lor those who w ished to be on tin* Lord s side. It was at several times during the meeting that they came forward: sometimes an individual, then anoth- ei, or perhaps two or three, and more at a time. Among these were three or four “captains” oi petty chiels. One very aged chief who w as awaken ed last wilder, found peace with God at this time; as did some others who had been serious for some time. Others since the meeting, alter a season of great distress, have been filled with comfort—a new song has been put into their mouths, even praise i our God. The preaching at this slop their ears to the request of the memorialists. The in habitants of the s!a\e states always complain loudly, when individua ls or public bodies in the free states touch j the subject of slavery; it being, ac- 1 cording to their notions, a to matter ex clusively their own, and of course un derstood bv themselves only. Here we have a specimen of the feelings and sentiments of men who belong to a slave state, and w ho therefore must be supposed lo understand the subject. No person in any part of the Union could have drawn a more sable or so lemn picture; and no persons who aie not blind to their own personal and po litical interests, can refuse to admit its torce and justice.—vV. V. Jldv. From the Staunton [Virginia] Spectator. MEMORIAL. To the Honorable Convention of Vir ginia to be held in Richmond, October, 1820. Seeing that the People of the com monwealth have deemed it necessary to reform our existing Constitution of Government, to supply its defects, and to remove a number of evils meeting was partly through iulerpie- which were thought to press heavily ters, (one ol whom was hopefully upon the community:—We, the sub- converted ere the meeting closed,) scribers, inhabitants of Augusta coun- partly by some brethren who could ty, cannot but congratulate ourselves preach in Choctaw without an inter- j atk j public on the selection of so preter, but chielly by com erted : manv of our distinguished citizens for Indians themselves. \ es; > ei ily the | performance of these solemn and Lord Jesus is raising up a people here * interesting duties. Distinguished as to shew lorth hisipraise. ihe king you have been for gravity, prudence w as apparently filled w ith the Spirit, . an j wisdom, we cheerfully accord to and eminently assisted in dispensing y 0U our confidence, in the important those truths which have become so i ant j a rdnuus station to which you are sw eet to his own soul. Most ot the j ca }{ C( ] 5 an( j trust that you will em- mwv members exhorted and prayed ; p| 0 y your wisdom and prudence in with much feeling. Oh such a wrest- j tliat way which will redound most to ling in prayer, such a yearning over sinners, such Hoods of tears, I my self never witnessed in any land; and l suppose that a scene more interest ing, on tiie whole, has never been witnessed among the Aborigines of our country, since the days of Brain- erd. 1 am permitted also, through abounding grace, to add, that since the meeting I have been trying to describe, another in some respects more deeply interesting, lias been held at the station called Hebron, when j nearly 40 more persons took the anx- our common welfare. There have been many topics of re form anticipated and discussed among the people. We do not mean to med dle with any of them, or to express any opinion on their merits. Our purpose is respectfully to call your attention to another subject, which we regard as of paramount impor tance; and respecting which, if noth ing be done, we apprehencf that your other labors must prove comparative ly nugatory. We ask your attention to the existing slavery of our negroes (cresting to us in all our cUnustk and political relations; ore which in termingles itself with every interts*. and concern of life; productive, per haps, of a few transient benefits, but certainly of an infinity of evils, now pressing upon us. and portending gen eral desolation in future. We waive, at present, the consid erations of leligion and humanity which belong ;o ibis momentous sub ject; and present it as a naked cjucs- tion of political w isdom and safety.— V\ bile we believe that the public mo rals and general prosperity, which it is the province of government to a great extent to protect and cherish, are deplorably injured by slavery, ive proceed to affirm that is cur own ex pcrieuce and observation confirming the facts and deductions of political economist’' that the labor of slaves is vastly 1 -S5, productive thfit of tree men, that it therefore requires a lar ger space to furnish subsistence for a given number of the former than of the latter; that the employment of the former necessarily excludes the employment of the latter; t hat hence, our population, white and black, av erages but about seventeen when it ought, and wrnuld under other cir cumstances, average, as in New Ln gland, at least sixty to the square mile; that the possession and manage* inent ef slaves form a source of end- less vexation and misery within (he house, and of waste and ruin on th6 farm; that the youth of the connfrt are growing up with a contempt ot »rvile steady industry, as a loiv, sei thing, which contempt induces idle ness and ail its attendant effeminacy, vice, and worthlessness; that this pov erty and the scarceness of onr popuh* tion, either prevent the institution oi schools through the country, or keep them in the most languid and incln- cient condition, and that the same most obviously paralize all pui schemes and efforts for the needful im provements of the country. These things arte incessantly pressing them selves upon otir feelings and observa tion; and it would be easy to enlarge the melancholy catalogue. But there are other considerations' claiming out attention. It is conceded, on all hands,that ' ginra is in a state of moral and polit ical retrocession among the States of