Newspaper Page Text
From the Alabama Journal.
To the citizens of Alabama and
Georgia.
We, the chiefs and head men of
the Creek Nation, have very recently
understood that much alarm and ex
citement have been produced in vari
ous parts of your country; we learn,
that it is reported among your’citi
zens that the Creek Nation is becom
ing hostile and unfriendly to the citi
zens of Said States; and we learn
much uneasiness is manifested on ac
count of it. All this we are extreme
ly sorry to hear; and we take this
method to inform the people general
ly, that there are no such views in
contemplation among the people of
the Creek Nation; and the report has
been gotten up by some malicious
person or persons to excite the feel
ings of the white people against us:
perhaps for their personal advantage;
and perhaps to arouse the feelings of
the Executive of the United States,
for the purpose of forcing us, contra
ry to our will, from the land of our
great forefathers, which has been our
inheritance from generation to gener
ation from time immemorial.
Independent of all moral right and
moral laws by which vve hold the
same, the Government of the United
States has, by a solemn treaty, made
and entered into at the city of Wash
ington, by all the constituted author
ities of both nations, acknowledged,
recognized, and guaranteed to the
Creek Nation for ever, all the land
We now hold, though that is but little;
and we never can think of moving
from it. Our children arc near and
dear to us; we must cherish and sup
port them. We wish to live in peace
with our white brothers; and we wish
our children to live in peace after we
are dead and gone. We wish to cul
tivate peace and harmony for ever.—
We wish and instruct our children to
adopt the manners and customs of the
whites, as far as they are capable of
so doing, as we find our neighbors, the
Cherokees, are fast advancing in the
arts of civilized life. This has con
vinced us, that we can do the same:
and in the course of a few more gen
erations, our old habits, manners, and
customs, will, we confidently believe,
be fully and completely eradicated,
and will assume all the arts of civili
zation.
Now, friends and brothers, we ap
ical to your feelings of justice and
magnanimity for a co-operation in our
cause. You are a great, happy and
■magnanimous people. You under
stand how to appreciate free princi
ples, free laws, and free institutions;
■and according to your honest concep
tion of such laws, you will deal out
to us all the right and privileges that
we are entitled to and have been guar
anteed to us by the Government of
the United States.
In closing this communication, we
beg you, on the part of our nation and
ourselves, to accept the warmest
feelings of friendship and good will;
and be assured that our nation never
will spill the blood of our white
friends and brothers, so long as the
water runs or the grass grows.
SAMUEL SMITH, Interpreter.
WILLIAM M. GIRTH,
TUSKE-NE-IIAU,
HOPITHLE-HO-LO, and fifty
six others.
From the National Journal.
BLOODSHED ON THE FRON
TIER.
The Missouri Intelligencer of
the twenty-fourth ultimo, gives a
statement of some disturbances on the
frontier, between some of our citizens
and a party of Indians, which unfor
tunately terminated in bloodshed.—
From the statement of facts as com
municated by some of the citizens, but
the entire accuracy of which is not at
tested by the editor, it appears that a
party of citizens had lately removed
into lands which are claimed by the
Indians. On being ordered off, and
menaced in case of continuing their
residence there, the citizens collect
ed their strength, and went to the In
dian camp to make a treaty, with a
view to a friendly understanding.—
While in the act of negotiation, one of
the citizens shot an Indian, and the
next moment the American who was
engaged in negotiation shot the chief
with whom he was in conference.—
This fixes the responsibility of having
shed the first blood, even on the show
ing of their own statement, by the
Americans.
The news having reached Fayette,
preparations were instantly made for
a campaign. The chivalry of the
whole country was as much set in mo
tion as if there had been a descent of
an European army upon the frontier.
About 200 volunteers from the vicini
ty of Fayette, and 100 from Chariton,
instantly were marched to Randolph,
which was made the point of rendez
vous, and whither on the following
Tuesday and Wednesday, re-enforce-
ments to considerable amount, making
according to the calculation of the
Editor, an aggregate strength of from
1,500 to 2,000 volunteers, mounted,
armed and provisioned, had repaired.
In addition to these movements, it
is stated that Wm. Taylor, Esq. who
had been despatched express to the
Governor, returned with an order for
calling out 1000 men. The Governor
had also sent an express to St. Louis
“for the purpose of notifying the com
manding officer of the United States
troops stationed there, and requesting
that a detachment might be sent up
without delay.”
Apprehension or rumour had swell
ed the numbei of the Indians to 1500
Winnebagoes, and a large number of
other tribes, who were concentrating
themselves.
It is much to be regretted that the
whole country should thus be called to
arms, in consequence of a fray which
may probably-be traced to the wanton
aggression of our own citizens in the
first instance, and ultimately to their
intemperate feelings, at the moment
when a negotiation was in progress.—
The proper course presents itself at
once to every reasonable man. On
representation of the facts to the
General Government, an investigation
would have taken place. If the In
dians were the aggressors, they could
have been punished; and on the same
principle of justice—if a principle of
equal justice in relation to the Indians
is to regulate the policy of the new
Administration—had our citizens com
mitted the first injury, redress could
have been afforded to the Indians.—
The citizens having taken the law into
their own hands, & surrendered them
selves to those feelings of hatred to
the Indians which are cherished along
the frontier, it is impossible to fore
see the point at which the present ex
citement will terminate.
The following is a statement of the
circumstances of this jracas, as given
in the Missouri Intelligencer:
The origin of the unfortunate ren
counter between our citizens and the
Indians, we understand is as follows:
Some of the citizens of this county
removed this Spring to the Grand
Chariton, 70 or 80 miles from this
place, for the purpose of raising stock,
& settled in the northern end of Chari
ton or Randolph counly. The Indians,
calling themselves Ioways, but be
lieved to be Sioux or Winnebagoes,
were hunting in that vicinity, and or
dered the settlers off, pretending that
the land belonged to them, and threat
ening to kill them if they refused.—
They finally became very insolent,
came about their houses, demanding
such things as they wanted, and when
the men were from home, conducted
themselves abusively towards the fe
males, drawing their tomahawks upon
them, and driving off their stock. It
is also stated that they whipped a Mr.
Myrtle, lately from this neighborhood.
Mr. M. then proceeded to the settle
ments and procured the assistance of
some of his friends, who proceeded
with him to try and arrange matters
with the Indians, or drive them off.
Twenty eight in number had collect
ed by the time they reached the In
dian camp, which appeared to be for
tified by a rude stockade, or some
thing of the kind. John Myers, Esq.
(a Magistrate of this county,) who un
derstood the Indian language, com
menced a treaty, or talk, with the
Chief, and was endeavoring to have a
friendly understanding. In the mean
time, his son, James Myres, had met
with the Indian who had drawn his
tomahawk upon his wife, and some
sharp conversation ensued between
them, when the Indian at length cock
ed his gun* presented it at him, and
he supposed intended firing, when My
ers discharged the contents of his into
the head of the Indian. John Myers
then also fired and killed the Chief,
and when he had reloaded and about
to fire again, was himself shot. The
company all fired, and killed eleven or
twelve Indians. Three white persons
were killed, viz: John Myers, James
Winn, and Powell Owensby—and
three or four wounded.
We do not vouch for the entire ac
curacy of the above, but believe it is
substantially so.
What will be the consequence of
this unfortunate affair vfe are unable
at this time to say.
From the National Intelligencer of Au
gust 11.
We cannot admit to the dignity of
“Indian Hostilities” the fracas on the
frontier of Missouri, of which an ac
count is given in the preceding col
umn. It is lamentable that men
should slay their fellow men, and we
regret the death ef the four whites.
But, in our judgement, the incident
which has just occurred is any thing
but an evidence of Indian hostility.
The hostility, it is obvious; lays the
other ivay. The whites begun the
quarrel on the plea of the Indians
having some stock (cattle) which
they claimed: the Indians denied the
justice of the claim: they were or
dered to stack their arms—that is, in
effect, to place themselves in the
power of the whites: they refused to
do so, and showed a disposition to de
fend themselves: they were then fired
upon by the whites: in defence of
their own lives, only, they returned
the fire: the whites were worked in a
conflict of their own choosing—and
the whole country is roused up to re
venge this “Indian Hostilities!”
This, as vve understand the account
drawn up near the scene of action,
(and under the influence of natural
grief for the death of friends and ac
quaintances,) is the plain state of the
case before us. The whites, it seems,
went against the Indians in military
array, 26 in number. The Indians,
it is said, numbered from 80 to 100.
If the whiles bad not supposed them
selves more than a match for them,
they would have let them alone. As
it was, three times as many Indians
as whites were killed; yet, the whole
physical force of the country is in mo
tion to exterminate the remainder of
these eighty Indians who would not
suffer themselves to be quietly killed
by the twenty-six whites.
Is not this too true a sample of the
most of the “Indian hostilities” of
which we have heard since the termi
nation of the War of 1812? What
have they proceeded from, in general
but encroachments on the hunting
grounds of the Aborigines, breeding
quarrels, which the whites have ev
er been too ready, upon any excuse,
to engage with these wreehed rem
nants of a departing race?
One can hardly read with patience
the statement of the quantum of
military force called into service up
on this great emergency. By calling
forth the whole population, four hun
dred mounted men at least are as
sembled, all well armed with rifles,
&c. The Governor, however, docs
not think this a sufficient force, but
orders out, in addition, a thousand
Militia: and, not yet content, calls
upon the commander of the Military
Station to come to his relief, and
fourteen companies of U. States’
troops (say eight hundred men) are
already on the march.—Here are,
if vve reckon right, between two and
three thousand efficient soldiers in
full march, under a Brigadier Gener
al of the army of the United States,
to chastise the surviving remnant of
eighty poor savages, who have shed
white blood only to save their own,
and who would be glad to find safety
for their own lives in the deepest ca
vern of the mountain, or the darkest
recesses of the forest. Really, this
array of force on such an occasion
reminds one of '
“ Ocean into deepest wrought
“ To drown a fly”
We said, not long since, that many in
Georgia would be glad to see the Indians
resorting to rash measures, so that a pre
text may be given to annihilate them.—
The following language of the editor of the
Savannah Republican is to the point, and
suitable only for a blood thirsty Barbari
an:
“Ifthese misguided and infatuated
beings should carry their threats into
effect—if one drop of our citizens’
blood be shed by them, or the com
mittal of any outrages on their part,
on the lives and property of our de
fenceless frontier people—then is
their fate sealed. A war of exter
mination by the whites, must and will
take place, and they will be driven at
the point of the bayonet into the Mis
sissippi. Despatches, it is said, have
been forwarded to the President of
the United States, who will act, no
doubt, with promptness and energy on
the occasion. His opinions are al
ready known to the Indians, and go
they must.
To talk to a Georgian about the
Indians, is like talking to a South-
Carolinian' about the Tariff. They
both immediately get on a high horse,
and ride over you without the least
ceremony. We have, therefore,
concluded to let them both ride their
hobbies to death, if they please.
When, however, the Columbus En
quirer again blows the trumpet, tve’ll
rattle the drum, and we’ll all turn
out, and imagine the Indians “are
coming.” It will just answer as well
as if they were actually at liafid.
Georgia Courier.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1829.
Owing to the indisposition of one of oUr
hands, we present to our readers, this
week, only half a sheet. We have thought
proper so to do, rather than disappoint
them altogether [‘‘Half a loaf is better
than none."—P»\]
We notice in the Columbus Enquirer,
quite an animated controversy, founded on
the late report of Indian hostility, between
certain individuals who have taken the part
of Col. Crowell and one Col. Bailey. This
is right, and as it should be—let the man,
who sounded the alarm of Indian war he
known, and the just indignation of the
public he meted out to him, for frightning
his countrymen, putting the Government
into unnecessary expenses, and for slander
ing the poor Creeks.
FOREIGN.
From the New York Advertiser.
The political affairs of Europe are,
at the present time, more than ordi
narily interesting. The British Par
liament closed their session on the
29th of June, having been prorogued
till the first of the present month.—
It is probable that a further proroga
tion before that day will take place,
unless something very interesting
should call them together, as it is not
common, vve believe, for them to
meet to do business at this season of
the year. Besides, it has been stated,
■whether without any foundation or not
vve have no means of judging, that the
Duke of Wellington was about to vis
it the continent. If the rumor was
well founded, it would probably pre
vent him from attending to his duties
in Parliament as prime minister, as
early as the the time fixed in the act
of prorogation. The affairs of Por
tugal appear to be involved in more
and more difficulty. The sanguinary
usurper of the throne of that degrad
ed and miserable nation, still continu
ed, and his vindictive malacc had not,
at the latest accounts, in the smallest
degree abated. The war in Turkey,
also, had at the last accounts assumed
a more serious aspect; and though in
the battle that was fought near
Shoumla, but a comparatively small
portion of the forces on either side
were engaged, yet the defeat appears
to have been entire, and its conse
quences may be very important. The
fact that the Turkish troops were un
der the command of the Grand Vi
zier, renders the battle of more impor
tance, because that officer is always a
personage of the highest consideration,
after the Sultan, in the Turkish gov-
ernmpnt, and the present Vizier ap
peared to possess the full confidence
of the sovereign, and the army.
From what we have seen of the
operations of the British Parliament,
since the Catholic emancipation act
was passed, notwithstanding the strong
majorities in Loth houses in favor of
that measure, vve are suspicious that
there is a good deal of dissatisfaction
with it in the country. Pressed by
that, or some other important subject,
the Ministry appear to be timid and
irresolute, not acting with the con
sciousness that they possess the con
fidence of the nation. Hence, vve
are led to conclude, it has happened,
that no great measure, as far as our
recollection serves us, has since the
the passing of that act been consum
mated. There appears also to be a
great degree of moderation in the gov
ernment, to say the least of it, as it
regards Portugal. Till within the last
two years, the old and intimate con
nection between the two nations, ap
pears to have been considered of great
importance to the welfare of both.—
The measures adopted with so much
promptitude, and energy, under the
influence of the late Mr. Canning, for
the protection of Portugal, certainly
carried with it this appearance; and
the measure itself was approved and
applauded by the nation. When the
yovng Queen, on her arrival from
Brazil, was forced by the usurpation
of Don Miguel to take refuge in En
gland, she was received and reeogni.i
zed as the rightful sovereign of the
kingdom, was addressed by her royal
title, and treated as the legitimate
successor to the crown. Now, there
would seem to be an almost absolute
coldness and indifference on the sub.
ject;andwe should not be surprised
to hear, if she should visit the Azores*
form a regency, and fix her govern*
ment at Terceira, that the Island haft
been stormed by the forces of Doft
Miguel, and the Queen, the gover&R
ment, & the inhabitants indiscriminately
ly massacred. Whathas produced thiM
apparent ohangeof feeling in the Brit. H*
ish government* we do not know. It *|
may fproceed from an indisposition, |
under the severe pressure of the times, 'M
to increase the burthens of the nation) »
We have not noticed any confirmajrf*
tion, in the last English papers, of thlftt)
r jmour|ofthe Duke of Wellington’s viK-
it to the continent. It is not unlikeljp
if may have been a mere newspape®
speculation, calculated for stockjol®
bing purposes, or some other sinister!*
purpose. If true, we should consult®
er it as an excursion of importance. I
By the accounts of the latojfegttle®
between the Russians and the Tpurks,M
it is manifest that the commander cfH
the forces of the former displayed®
great military skill—much more, vve®
have not a doubt, than it tvtis in
power of his enemies to equal, or tojK
resist. The movements of the Rusff
sian army were conducted with much®
address; and the Grand Vizier ivasH
completely surprised, and of couise,B
was totally unprepared for that at-H
tack. The Turks undoubtedly fouglitH
well; but they were not a match for*
their adversaries. We shall loo®
forward with a good deal of anxietjH
to see the effects which the loss cfjH
this battle produces upon the rainlH
and conduct of the Grand Seignor.H
It is usual with the sovereigns of lhatH§
terrible despotism, to charge all mis-m
fortunes of this description to tlielr
officer in command; and the conseJ|| ;
quences to him are commonly either®
banishment, or the bow string. If thet a
Sultan should become, by thismis-|l
fortune, more obstinate, and more! 1
desperate, the war will probably as» ! 1
sume a more determined, and a more 1
sanguinary character.
But, it is to be borne in mind, that 1
the other great powers of Europe |
feel a deep interest in this controver- J
sy, and are looking with much solici- I
tude at the operations and cven'-s of S
the war. It has also been seen by the f
speech of the King of Great Britain,
at the prorogation ofNhis Parlia
ment, that negociations between
England and France on the one side,
and the Sublime Porte on the other,
are about to recommence at Constan
tinople. Although the professed and
principal object of this negotiation
may ostensibly be, the final adjust-j
ment of the affairs of Greece, there
is little reason to doubt that a watch
ful eye will be kept over the concerns
of the war also; and if a suitable time
should come, that the influence of
those nations will be exerted'tb bring
about a peace.
SUMMARY*
A man, somewhat intoxicated*,* oft,
his examination before a magistrate,
was asked if he were not a weaver.
“No,” was the laconic and true re«
ply, “I am a reeler.”
The editor of the Castletoa, Vt',
Statesman, has good arguments against
being tempted to go to unhealthy
climates in pursuit of wealth. The
Boston Palladium says, we can add a
short story—-An old lady was former
ly in the habit of recommending eifti-
gration to Barbadoes, “where” she
said “a man might, after a very few
years residence, Die Worth a hundred
thousand pounds.”
The Cincinnati Daily Advertiser
expresses the opinion, from the various
accounts which have been published
of the favorable state of the crops,
that there will be, at the lowest es
timate, one million more barrels of
flour made in the United States, the
present year, than were ever made in
one year before.
A few years ago, it was decided in
Tennessee, that an indictment, which
charged a playing at cards for money,
could not be supported by evidence
proving playing for bank bills.
The Cincinnati Advertiser ac
knowledges the receipt of a Philadel
phia newspaper in six days after its
publication, being one day less than it
has always taken heretofore.
