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& INDIANS’ ADVOCATE#
S. BOUDIWOT*, BDITOa.
NEW ECHOTA, SATURDAY JANUARY 22, 1831#
[VOL. in. NO. 3
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JtMU
AGENTS FOR THE CHEROKEE
PHtENIX.
The following persons are authorized to
yuccive subscriptions and payments for the
Cherokee Phoenix.
Messrs. Peirce & Williams, No. 20
Market St. Boston, Mass.
George M. Tracy, Agent of the A. B.
<3. F. M. New York.
ttev. A. D. Eddy, Canandaigua, N. Y.
Thomas Hastinos, Utica, N. Y.
Rev. James Campbell, Beaufort, S. C.
William Moultrie Reid, Charleston,
1LC.
Col. George Smith, Statesville, W. T.
Jeremiah Austil, Mobile, Alsu
Ttvv. Cyrus Kingsbury, Mayhew, Choc-
rtaw Nation.
Cam. William Robertson, Augusta
Geo.
Col. James Turk Bellofonte, Ala.
INDIANS.
From the Hudson, (O.) Observer fit Tele*
graph.
IO THE INHABITANTS OF PORTAGE
COTNTY.
Fellow Citizens,
A meeting was held in this Town
ship, on Monday evening of last week,
*o consider whether any measures
ought to be adopted in regard to the
■“Indian question-” Much interest
was manifested on the occasion, and
-a committee wa4 appointed for the
purpose of bringing the subject before
the inhabitants of the County. The
meeting was called and the commit
tee appointed, not because our citi*
*ens wish to dictate to others, hut
Jiecause the “question” was regarded
os highly important and as deeply in
volving the character of our country,
A> well as the interests of the Indi
ans, and because it was believed that
duty imperiously requires us to act
and speak out.
The situation cf our country in re
gard to this question is calculated to
awaken every good citizen, who 1s
.■correctly informed on the subject, to
serious consideration and a correspond
ing course of action. Much has been
published calculated to afford correct
views of tb© facts in relation to the
«ase, and the committee esteem it
necessary to do little more than pre
vent in a condensed form some of these
Acts which sre sustained by the most
satisfactory testimony.
At an early period in our national
•existence, the proper regulation of
our intercourse with the Indian tribes
residing within the limits of tho Unit
ed States, was regarded as highly im-^
portant to the interest, both of our*
own Republic and of these tribes.—
When the Constitution of the Upited
States was formed, this delicate con
cern was wholly entrusted to the gen
eral government. Agreeably to this
arrangement treaties werd formed
with various Indian tribes, securing to
them tho undisturbed possession of
their country, and pledging the faith
of the nation for their protection.—
These treaties described the bounda
ries of the countries guarantied to the
respective tribes, beyond which, no
white man was permitted to erect
his dwelling, or trade with the natives
except by special license. Intruders
were to be removed by the authority
of the United States. If necessary,
it was the duty of the President to
employ military force for their ex
pulsion.
The Indians have been repeatedly
assured by the several Presidents of
the U. Slates, that the treaties form
ed will) them, mean just what they
say—are free from all deceptions;
that our government is honest; and
that we never “talk to our red broth
ers with a forked tongue.”
By an uniform course of integrity
in regard to the Indians, the national
government secured their confidence.
When oppressed or injured they ap
plied to their “great Father” the Pres
ident, with the fullest confidence that
their wrongs would be redressed. Nor
until recently, have they applied in
vain: Their requests were heard and
answered. In accordance with sub
sisting treaties they have lived under
their own government and laws. A
number of the southwestern tribes
have in the course of 10 or 15 years,
in a great degree Relinquished their
roving habits, and applied themselves
to agriculture and some of the me
chanic arts. Schools have been es
tablished, in which many of their chil
dren have been instructed. Not a few
attend on the preaching of the gospel,
and a considerable number are hope
fully pious. In one of the tribes a
respectable newspaper is published
weekly, edited by a native Cherokee;
in which tTibe, regular court# ol jus
tice have been established.
Previously to the last meeting ol
Congress, the slate of Georgia, Ala
bama and Mississippi enacted laws,
extending their jurisdiction over the
several Indian nations within their
respective limits; declaring tho laws
and regulations of the Indians to be
null and void; forbidding their execu
tion; and requiring submission and o-
bedience on the part of tljc Indians,
to the enactments of the respective
State governments. The Legislature
of Georgia enacted a law forbidding
the admission of an Indian as a witness
in a court of justice, in any case in
which a white man, was a party con
cerned.
These laws were regarded by the
Indians as exceedingly oppressive,
and violations of their treaties with
the United States. They applied to
the President for protection, but were
answered, that be could afford them
no relief: The Cherokecs then peti
tioned Congress to interpose. 1 heir
cause was ably advocated in the Se
nate, and in the house ol Representa
tives, but the National Legislature
rose without adopting any effectual
measure for their protection
Under these circumstances, one of
the four tribes, in regard to which vre
are particularly speaking, dishearten
ed by the treatment recently experi
enced, have agreed to remove to the
west provided a country is furnished
them, with which they shall be satis
fied; which condition we are told by
high authority, they have no expecta
tion can be complied with.
Anether tribe has entered into t
treaty, to remove on certain condi
tions, fully persuaded that they can
not sustain the burdens which have
been laid on them and which they an
ticipate, ' , ,
The other two tribes have refused
to enter into treaties to sell their
country andMo remove. They too
highly prize their fire sides, their soil,
the graves of their fathers, the scenes
of their youthful days, their improve
ments, their schools, their churches
and their religious teachers. They
are satisfied that if the government
will not redeem the pledges so often
repeated, to protect them where they
now reside; protection would not be
afforded them in any other situation.
Their trust is in the Lord; and they
are waiting the direction of his provi
dence.
In our view, and this corresponds
with tho opinions of many of the most
distinguished jurists in our country,
the government of the United Stales
are under solemn obligation to fulfil
their promises to the Indians, as con
tained in tho treaties which have been
made with them, according to the
understanding of the contracting par
ties. Less than this cannot be done
Without violating the plighted faith of
the nation. It is derogatory to the
honor of our country to^dfuse the ful
filment of promises to Iner Indians be
cause “they are weak and wc are
strong.” Let it be supposed that
they arc as degraded as their enemies
pretend. The greater their degrada--
tion the greater will be the disgrace
incurred by deceiving and defrauding
them.
It is said that our pi amises to these
Indians cannot be performed without
injuring individual Stales! If this is
tho fact, let reparation he made to
the full extent which justice demands.
But let our faith not be violated.—
Let not a stain be fixed on our fair
character which tho purest blood can
not purge away—at which the ene
mies of republics shall be able tri-
umphingly tn point the finger of scorn
—which will make every friend of
truth and of our country blush to ow'n
that he is an American citizen.
Wc regard the government of the
United States as obligated to extin
guish the Indian title in Georgia, as
soon as it can be done peaceably, on
reasonable terms, and with the volun
tary consent of the rightful owners.
But to resort to bribery, threats, and
oppression, to effect the object—-to
attempt the persuading of influential
men in these tribes to barter their
country for gold, arc measures, at
which our feelings revolt, uud which
our judgement c ondemns.
We might dwell on the sufferings
which must inevitably be endured, by
urging from their- homes, and remov
ing hundreds of miles through the wil
derness 70,000 human bemgs of all
ages, circumstances uud deseriplious
of character, and leaving them in a
country so destitute of wood and wa
ter, as (to use the language of the
Hon. E. Whittlesey) that “every
person will readily conclude, that a
country like this, is incapable of sus
taining human beings, whether they
are civilized or savage.”
For a moment imagine that three
quarters of the families on this Re
serve, are forced from their homes
and marched hundreds of mi es thro’
the wilderness, and left to find their
subsistence in such a country; and
then, if you are able, estimate the a-
mount of suffering which they must
experience.. The number ot Indians
in the four tribes of which we are
particularly speaking, amounts to a-
bout as many souls as are included in
three fourths of the families on this
Reserve.
We will not dwell on the twenty-
five or thirty millions of dollars which
must be drawn from the Treasury of
the United States to accomplish such
a work, as the removal of the Indians.
For we consider dollars of little value
in comparison with the sufferings of
our fellow men, and ivith the honor
and moral character ef our country.
Wc regard our national government
as on the brink of a fearful abyss
that abyss is national perjury violat
ing her solemn pledges. Pledges giv
en not once nor twice, but repeatedly
and by nil our Presidents until within
the last two years. It is asked what
have wc to do with the conduct of tho
national government? We answer,
Much—very much. The voice x>f
our government is the voice of the
people. It is not only a privilege
granted by the constitution to petition
Congress whenever we regard it ne-
cestary; but in many cases it may be
an important duty. The business in
relation to the Indians will in all prob
ability come before Congress at their
present meeting. We know that the
members of both Houses were nearly
equally divided on this subject at the
last session. At such a lime let the
people express their wishes, and they
will have influence. Should the peo
ple keep silence, and the Indian busi
ness be so managed as to violate the
faith of the nation, how will they an
swer for their negligence, to "their
conscience, to the desponding Indians,
to posterity, and to God? Il we keep
silence, how shall we answer for our
delinquency?
It is a very encouraging circum
stance, that our Representative in
Congress, lias expressed publicly,
views on this subject which we deem
correct. He could not but be grati
fied to learn, that in a petition to Con
gress from bis constituents, the same
opinions are contained which he has
advocated:—Let us, fellow citizens,
in performing our duty, afford him this
gratification.
And while our petitions are present
ed to the National Legislature, let us
offer our daily prayer to Him, in
whose hands are.the hearts of all men,
that our rulers may be guided into
the path of righteousness and truth.
Hudson. Dec. 13, 1830
h«*KF.IGN.
r .ui.i the New Y<yx Spectator.
RETORTED WAR IN EUROPE.
EIGHT DAYS LATER FROM
EJ\ GLAND.
By the packet ship Columbia, Cnp-
taiu Delano, from London, the Editors
of the Commercial Advertiser have re
ceived their regular files of London
papers to the evening of the 30th ol
November, inclusive, with Prices
Current, Shipping Lists, &c. of the
same dale.
The storm is fast gathering, and
the inutterring thunder begins to be
heard in the distance. It may pass
over without breaking forth; but the
chances are more than two to one,
that there will be A GENERAL
WAR IN EUROPE. We insert a
letter below, from Par‘19, Nov. 28th,
which breathes nothing but war. A
letter from the Emperor ol Russia to
the King of the French, of an insult
ing character, is referred to, of which,
however, wo have no satisfactory
particulars. If it be true that the
Autocrat has written such a letter, it
is a dark omen. At all events, the
indications are such that France is
arming for a contest. And il the ac
counts from Russia be true, the for
mer has cause for assuming a formid
able defensive attitude. By the fol
lowing article from St. Petersburg!),
it will be seen that Russia is collect
ing her forces, and that they are to be
be led by the victor of the Balkan,
General Count Diebitsch.
From the frontiers of Russia, Nov.
9.—Field Marshal Count Diebitsch
is expected on the frontiers of Rus
sian Poland, to review the troops
coming from the interior, and to order
tho necesary measures for their can
tonment and subsistence. He will,
afterwards return to Berlin, where
he has been for some time on an ex
traordinary mission. It is aiTirn»ed,
that the troops ordered to
tiers will be to tho
men, with 400
There arc to be
ing the Polish
so great a
looked upon
serious dome,
fairs of the
dangerou
most t‘
interi
and occupies the garrison towns which
are left by Ibo troops assembling on
the frontiers. Should the army be
ordered to take field, it Will be under
the command of Count Diebitsch.
The further continuance of peace
will depend on the negotiations in
London, and the conduct of the
French Government. We know that
the King of the French and his coun
cillors hitherto desire nothing more
earnestly than to remain on good terms
with other countries, and that as far
as depends on them, the Delgian in
surgents, whose proceedings chiefly
endanger the existing amicable ar
rangements, and even hazard fhc ex
isting tranquility of France itseJ-f,
have no aid to expect from its pres
ent government. But the weakness'
of this scarcely formed government
gives room for apprehensions that the
nation which has created it, and io
which there are so many jarring inter
ests. and elements of disorder, may
compel it to take part with the Bel
gians as soon as the powers should
find it necessary te declare for an
armed intervention in their affairs.
All this, it is hoped, will soon be
cleared up.
The London Courier of Novembef
30, refuses implicit confidence in this
intelligence, and intimates, that thw
apprehensions prevailing in JP*’*” “
the last advices, wc*-- without suffi
cient cause. w® <l uote lhe fo,,owy
ing artir ,c: ... . 4
‘The German papers which arrive®
here this morning, slate that a Rus-'
sinn army of 200,000 men, divided,
into seven corps, with 400 pieces or
cannon, is assembling on the frontier; .
hut it is declared that the object i#
merely to make a demonstration for*
1 he purpose ol maintaining peaces-
This may be true; but after the ex--
periencc of the Cordon Sanitairc, we^
do not place much faith in the pacific^
assurance when connected with War**
like preparations; besides it is cveri
admitted that the continuance or
pcaco will depond upon certain pro-' 1
ceedings ip London and guarantees foi*
the good behaviour of the Erehch gov»
eminent. The French, however, artf
not idle; a large army will soon bo
ready for tho field, and the first bos-*
tile demonstration against Belgium
will be the signal for pouring mufcsc*
of enthusiastic Frenchmen into Italy,,
aud overrunning Austria. We do not.
believe that th e Emperor of Russia,
and his iuimed iate Allies will tempi
the chance of such a contest. 1 he
command of tho Russian army is en
trusted to Count Diebitsch, an office^
who displayed great judgment in tluw
war with the Turks, but who would
be overmatched by any one of hun
dreds by the old French army. Tin*
funds at Vienna are very heavy. Th^
Metalliques have been as low ath^
80 1-4; but on the 19th they were
81 1-2, and the bank stock at 1 058.**
Tho following is the letter frook
Paris, spoken of in the conimtence*-
ment of this summary:
“Paris, Nov. 28.
“The whole attention of this couit*»
try is now turned to the momehtoufc.
question of the possibility and eveai
probability of war. The Govern
ment, after making every effort In it*
power consilient with French honor*
to avoid a struggle! the cfense^uetocfii
of which no human eye eftn foresee*
will certainly set to work, in the W*
vent of anavoidable hostilities, wulR
the greatest energy* Nolr do Wii
doubt that in cale of a defensive
an anneal, frank and fir