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The following are the documents which'
we promised our readers last week;
From the Georgia Journal.
Col. Sanford to Gov. Gilmer.
Agency, at Scudder’s Jan. 80*
1831.
His Excellency George R. Gilmer— _
Sir—In my letter of the 15th last,
to your Excellency, 1 mentioned that
Col. Nelson was charged with an ex
pedition to the upper mines. On
Monday the 17th inst. he returned to
Head Quarters, having successfully
accomplished the object of his inarch.
1 rogret, however, to add, that in the
performance of that duty, he has had
to encounter difficulties of the most
serious and embarrassing nature. 1
regret it the more, inasmuch as I
may have induced the belief that the
law in relation to this territory would
be readily submitted to, und would
itsolf thus become a sufficient safe
guard of the interest it was designed
to protect. I must confess, however,
that I have been mistaken: not, in
deed, in the character of those from
whom tho opposition has arisen, but
from the daring anil outrageous manner
of their resistance. Col. Nelson, in
his enterprise upon Daniel's (Upper
Mines,) having succeeded in arresting
several persons guilty of working the
mines siuce the 1st, their friends and
former associates became apprised by
some means of their cauture, and
from their subsequent conduct, no
doubt, resolved upon their release.—
Per this purpose they assembled in
force (between 50 and 60) early in
the morning of the I6lb, at Leather’*
Ford^i having ascertained that the
command with tho prisoners would
cross the Chestatce at that place.—
The first act of their hostility was in
dicated by their having caused a num
ber of obstructions in the passage of
Ibe river, with the view ofharrassing
tho detachment, and otherwise per
plexing and retarding its movements.
These were, however, avoided with
out any great difficulty, and the op
posite shore having been reached in
safely, the van escorting the prison
ers resumed its line-of march. It had
proceeded but a short distance, when
the Sergeant commanding the rear,
brought intelligence of its being attack
ed, to Col. Nelson. Having secured
the prisoners (I I in number) with a
sufficient guard, ho hastened imme
diately to the scene of engagement.
Upon bis approach, the assailants de
sisted from their attack, with the ex
ception of three, who continued the
assault with great fury, until checked
by the bayonet. One of these, the
vilest of the vile, received a couple of
severe wounds, believed at the time,
to have been mortal; but upon exam
ination, it was found that be was not
likely to experience the fate so rich
ly merited by bis infamous life, and
still more infamous conduct in tliis af
fray, Previously to the rencounter,
he had, I learn, professed the uim jst
contempt of Georgia, her laws, her
officers, denied her jurisdiction over
this territory, and encouraged those
IVho were.inclined, to violute her le-
-cent enactments in relation (hereto.
With the protection of his rulorous
arm. In the practical demmslratioii
of his prowess, he has learned a lesson,
which may hereafter bo serviceable
to himself, and a bint to all ethers
who may be disposed to invade out
rights or infringe our laws. Its good
effects have already been experienced,
for I understood, that no less than 70
of these desperate and abandoned
wretches have suddenly disappeared
from their former haunts in the set
tlements. Even before the occur
rence of the affair at the Ford, indi
vidual members of the guard, when
alone, had been insulted, and mensc-
m in a manner that evidenced the
most inveterate and rancorous feeling.
Aware ef their hostility, from what
be too had seen, Col. Nelson advised-
his men to a cautious and circum
spect deportment whilst passing them,
and to refrain from any expressions or
observations, in the most remote de
gree calculated to enrage or provoke
thenr., la obedience to this order,
the command were proceeding quiet
ly and peaceably, when the outrageous
abuse of this horde, elicited a reply
from one of his men. In an instant,
•s ifbf pre-convert, the whole clan
commenced gathering stones, billets
ofwootty tad every species of missile,
disdisrgtag them at the guard. It
teas with the utmost difficulty that
they were restrained from returning
this unexpected salutation with a vol
ley of musketry—Again and again
were their pieces levelled, whilst the
often repeated order, “reservo your
fire*” alone prevented their discharge.
Your Excellency will discover in this
attack, a plan previously arranged
and digested with considerable milita
ry tact. They calculated that by en
gaging with the rear, that the front
having charge of the prisoners, would
be necessarily called to its relief, and
that an opportunity would thus be
presented of effecting their escape in
the confusion which would ensue.—
The precaution of the commanding
officer prevented the accomplishment
of this design. Having failed iu their
attempt, they next sought his arrest
by legal process, and accordingly a
warrant was’ obtained, demanding the
surrender of himself and command.—
Seeing the very Improper purpose for
which this was issued, he determined
(hat it should not prevent him from
doing his duty, and accordingly march
ed to Gainesville with Ilia prisoners,
where eight of them were committed
tor trial at the next court. Having
thus gotten rid ef his charge, he de
clared that it was neither his wish nor
intention, whilst apprehending others
for violating the law, to oppose nny
resistance to it himself; that the
course he had pursued, was founded
in a sense of duty; if in its discharge
he bad done wiong, he was willing to
subaiit hi;i self to any tribunal having
cognisance of his offence. The hue
and cry against the Guard for its con
duct in this transaction, has spread
far and wide, through the country.—
Falsehoods, accusing them of crimes
of the most atrocious and aggravated
character, are daily fabricated and
circulated for the purpose of render
ing them odious to tho public. The
motive for this is too palpable to be
mistakes for a single moment. The
rainos under the protection given
them, are no longer a source of profit
and employment. Misrepresentation
and calumuy have busied themselves
in exciting clamour; and clamour it
is thought will effect the removal of
the troops. The mines will then be
left defenceless, and an opportunity
again afforded them of renew-, ing their
depredations whilst, impunity is secur
ed them by their numbers. Thcst
* re the calculations of tho idle, ami
the dissolute. These nr* their avow
ed objects, und really Sir, they have
set at work systematically for their
accomplishmunt. In my former let
ter, l said something about this clast
of people. I cannot now dismiss
them-, without expressing to your Ex-
cellency my conviction, that there
does not exist on eaith, elsewhere, hu-
tugs so vicious and so depiaved. To
mu they seem to bo predestinated and
incorrigibly, and tb.it tho punishments
of this world arc inadequate to their
crimes. Yet, even, with these mis
creants, when compelled to an inter
com se, 1 have inculcated a respectful
deportment, and I Imp* your Excel
lency will believe that nothing has
been done which the good of the
country did not imperiously demand
This lias been my constant aim, and
every thing will be done having a ten
dency in the least degree towards its
promotion.
From the Georgia Athenian.
Colonel A e.Ison—The Gold diggers,
fyc.—The Kdlowing letter was receiv
ed by u gentleman in this town a few
days since, and we have taken the lib
erty to lay the interesting information
it contains before the public, ./The
letter is dated at Gainiviilo, liall
county, the 7th of February, and is
from a source that we know from
personal acquaintance to be highly
respectable. After alluding to a for
mer letter, the writer says:
“On the 1 fltht last month, a Ser
geant Sappinglon of Georgia’s stand
ing army, came to Leathors’-Ford in
this county. He there met an. indi
vidual by the name of Cron, a^hort
distance from a gate lending into the
yard of Mr. Joel Hatley., Sergtfant
Sajppington, in a very 'peremptory
manner, oraered Cron to go back and
open the gate. Cron pointed to oth
ers nearer the gats, and remarked,
they can spen the gato.” Sappington,
in a more authoritative tone, bid him
again open the gate, when Cron repli
ed he would not; for which Sapping
ton, by o severo blow winh his musk
et, brought Cron to the ground.
This blew was inflicted on the cheek
bono of Cron, and by reason of it lie
has beeu since then unable to transact
business; indeed, if I am correctly in
formed, be has been confined, and his
recovery is still despaired of This
act of lawless savageism produced
very naturally a good deal of indigna
tion at the Ford. A-*
“On the 16th ulC. Col. Nelson hav
ing arrested several prisoners in the
Nation, (on auspicion of their having
dug gold since tho January,
but without a warrant authorising it,)
arrived at the Ford, and having met
a detachment of the tfrmy at that
place, ordered them to jpiw him and
aid in conducting th® prisoners to this
place. The detachment of thtee or
four men alluded to* at the time of
receiving the order, was dismounted,
and the Colonel leaving a Sergeant
Henderson to couduct them, proceed
ed some three hundred yards with the
prisoners and his guard, where he
awaited his remaining company. He
v ns, at the time of slopping, entirely
out of view of the point where he left
his men. Henderson was detained a
little in waiting on one of his men,
who was endeavoring to replenish his
flask, and while thus waiting was ad
dressed by a Mr. Ligon, (who is a
man of worth and respectability,) and
,.;sked what would be done with the
prisonors. Henderson-, in a very ab
rupt and nneourteons manner, told
him to ask no questions. Ligon ob-
se-ved he thought himself in a free
country, and hoped he had the liberty
of speech. This self-important Ser
geant in reply told him be should not
*.-lk to him; this enrngoil Ligon, and
he commenced abusing Henderson ami
bis company by words, saying that it
they were not a set of inhuman de
speradoes, they would nevei compel
prisoners, no matter how high the
crime, to wade a river when the
ground was covered several inches in
snow; nor would a soldier have tieated
an individual as Sappington had Cron
the day previous.
“These remarks carried such a
i*ierei»nf remind to the sensitive feel-
mss of Sergeant Henderson, that lie
immediately cocked and presented his
musket at the old man. Ligon told
he Sargoant he would not present his
a- nis so readily nt him if ho were on
a fooling, and immediately inquired of
ihc bystanders for a gun. Taylor
(whoxras afterwards severely stabbed)
said to Ligon ho thought a gun could
ho had; nt which moment Henderson
strained off to his commander, and
possibly informed him he had been
attacked, in a few moments Col.
Nelson and eight or fen of his guard
eturneil, making a furious charge on
Taylor, and, at the same time, iuqui-
ring for a men of Ligon’s description.
Taylor was standing weaponless ;three
or four of the guard rushed on him
tvith fixed bayonets, commanding him
to surrender, at the same lime pierc
ing hi us on all sides with the bay
onets. Taylor attempted to ward off
the stabs, and endeavored to get out
of the way. After receiving his most
dangerous wound, Taylor seized a
mail, and threw it with some violence
at one of the gaard
“The remainder of the guard,
while three or four were subduing
Taylor, were engaged in thrusting at
Ligon; and his friends, seeing- bis help
less situation, ami the ruthless attack
made on him, siezed and conveyed
him to a house; and as Cel. N.’s
communication, from its broad terms,
would imply a rescue or an attempt,
it may bo that Ligon’s seizure is what
he alludes lo, as that was the only-
appearance of rescue on the occasion.
Ligon and Tnylor seemed to be the
sole offenders, as the charge was di-
levied immediately against them, nor
did any one else interfere in any man
ner, except to save the life of Mr.
Ligon by taking him away. About
the time Taylor threw the mall, it
spread such terror that a Are was
ordered by the Colonel. The report
of a gun was instantly beard, aud Tny
lor believing himself shot, exclaim
ed, “I’m a dead man;” when n cessa
tion of hostilities at once ensued. The
Colonel then repaired to his prisoners
under guard, and pursued his route
to this place.
“I notice Col N. supposes the num
ber in battle array on the occasion to
be 60. I am credibly iuformed there
wero not more than 15 or 20, and but
two of those participated in the con
flict, and with them it was matter of
necessity, that is, in self-defence.
Taylor has uot recovered;! Ligon, tjf
the timely aid of his friends, escaped’
uninjured. That ended the brilliant
achievement ef the 16th ult. and had
it been me, sooner than have blazuuod
it to the world, 1 should bare let it
sleep, and numbered it among tbe
little unfortunate deeds of my life.
Some of our Headers may be still in
doubt as to the truth of the case—Ihcy
may not know who to believe, Col. San
ford or the"writer of the letter. We are
however happy to relieve that doubt by
copying from the Hiwassean the following
statement given by eye-witnesses. The
facts contained in it coroborate the re'
ports we had frequently heard touching
the affair, and confirms the particulars
stated by the Gentleman in Gainsville.
This must settle the question with disin
terested readers.
Newtown, Hali. county, Ga. /
Feb. 6, 1831. f
Mr. Printer:—You will prob
ably have seen, in the Georgia
papers, a communication from Col.
Nelson, giving an account of an affair
thal took place at Leathers ford, on
the 16th of last month, lie says,
that ns he was conducting eleven pris
oners from the Cherokeo Nation, to
Gainsville, he was met by about sixty
men at Loathers ford, who attempted
to rescue the prisoners, “with every
kind of weapons except guns”. He
adds, “we charged upou, and dispers
ed them all without injury to any of
tbc men under ray commond.—One
of the assailants received three severe
stabs of which his recovery is consid-
eied doubtful.”
This statement is untrue,—be was
not iret at that place by any number
of men, nor was ho attacked by any
mun. If is true that ho appeared
with bis guard nud some prisoners on
tho opposite side of the river, on the
liftecnth of January last; and ou the
next day, ho crossed, convoying his
prisoners to Gainsville. The people
of the village at tbe ford, manifested
no disposition to rescue the prisoners
although they were forced to wade
the river cold as the day was. The
principal part of the guard passed
quietly through tho place with the
prisoners, and were out of sight,
when a dispute look place between a
citizen here, an-.l tho remainder of
the guard (five in Dumber,) relative
to their right lo compel tho prisoners
to wade the river. The dispute grow
warm, and the guard galloped off, and
returned in ten or fifteen minutes,
with the Col. at their head and Sev
ern! more of the guard in full charge.
The gentleman with whom they had
had the dispute, wore a while hat,
and upou their coining up, a part of
tbe guard attacked him,—a part pur
sued Major Taylor (formerly a citizen
oi Athens Tennessee)round a house
aud gave him three severe wounds,
one through the arm into his body,
one in tho breast, and onu in his hip.
We are 1 appy to say that the o d gen
lleman has so far recovered, as to be,
able to start home. While they were
baytneting him, the old man got a
large maul and threw it, but missed
his mau. Ho then retreated;—the
Col. ordered a tiro, one gun fired, the
old man wheeled upon them, called
for the man who had shot him, he
being under that impression as bis
wounds, at that moment began to
bleod. A march was ordered imme
diately.
This sir, is a correct account of the
affair The undersigned wero presont,
and saw the whole of it. Not a single
weapon was raised by any man after
tbc return of the guard, except the
maul by Major Taylor.
The prisoners, they wero convoy
ing to Gainsville, were taken in the
Nation on suspicion of digging gold.
They were made to wade all the wa
ters, and every mud hole for Gftcen
miles. Some who could uot keep up,
were beat with the sword, &c.
This is not all that deserves no
tice. One of their serjents crossed
the river on tho fifteenth, and knocked
a man down with his gua, for refusing
to open a gate for him. No insult
had been offered. This account is
giveu in detail, that the people may
bo undeceived with regard to Nel
son 8 communication.
The undersigned were present, saw
the affair, and vouch for Ike truth of
this statement.
H. SMALL,
ROBT. LIGAN
U. U. SNOW,
R. HALL,
P KROFT.
—o:o:o:o:o:o:o—
cure for consumption.
An English chemist of high fame, Mr.
John Murray, of Hull, F. S. A. &c.
&c. has at length discovered 'what' he
believes to be a cure for tubetcufa
pkthisics—for far gone consumption
His work on this subject, which i
dedicated to the Duke of Wellington
contains the result of twelve yeejg ft.
quiry, during which period his
thoughts have been exclusively bent
to the noblH find philanthropic object,
lathe progress of his investigations,
lie cnmo,to the very rational conclu
sion, and one which has impressed
many other iniRds, that if any remedy
should ever be found out for structuro
desease of tbe lungs, it'must be some
one which may be brought, through
the medium of respiration, iuto im
mediate contact with tho deseased
surface; and, tvhen there, have tbe
power of subduing the morbid action, ,
without diminishing tbe general tone
of tho system.
At length Mr. Murray believes
that be has discovered such a remedy
in tbc vapor of nitric acid; and this
fact is the more worthy of attention,
aiuco it conies from a source where
empiricism cannot be suspected^
Mr. Murray is well known iu the' «ji«-
entific world as auftior of seuie valulk
bio works on chemistry, and has, wef
beliove, been himself a sufferor from”
the scourge be 1ms strivon so sedulous''
ly to avert.— Rost. Med. and Surg;
Journal.
OF THE EXISTANCE OF ANI
MAL TULA IN SNOW.
The followiug account was sent by
Dr. J. E. Mure, inalettpr to Dr.
Silliman..—’’When the winter had 8
made a considerable progess without
much frost, there happened a heavy
fall of snow. Apprehending that I
might not hove an opportunity of fill
ing my house with icc, I> threw in
snow,perhaps enough to half fill it.
There was after wads severely cold
weather, and 1 filled the remainder
with ice. About August the wast#
and consumption of the ico brought Us>
down to the snow, when it was discov
ered that a glass of water which was
cooled with it, contained hundreds of
animate ufa. I then examined another,
giasl of water out of the same pitcher,,
and with the aid of a microscope, be
fore the snow was put into it, found it
perfectly clear and pure:; the snow
was then thrown-into it, and eft solution
the water again exhibited- Hie same
phenomenon—hundreds of aniroalteuta,
visible lo the nuked eye with acute
attention, and when viewed through
the microscope, resembling most dim-
iuutive shrimps, & wholly unlike tbe
eels discovered in tbe acotous acid,
were seem in the full enjoyment of
animate nature:
“I caused boles to be dug in several
parts of tho inass of snow in the icc
house, and to the centre of it, and in
the most unequivocal aud repeated
experiments had similar results; so
that my family did not again venture
to introduce the snow into the water
they drank, which had been a favorite
met hud, but used it as an externa^
refrige rent foi tho pitcher,
“These liltlo animals may - elm
with Ike amphibia which haw cold
blood, and are generally capable, in a
low temperature, of a torpid state *
ct cxistance. Hence their icy im
mersion did no violence to their con
stitution, and the possibility of their
active revival by l>eat, is well sustain- I
ed by analogy; but their generation,
their parentage, aud their extraordi- ?
nary transmigration, ore tome 8 ub« :
jects of profound astonishment.”
Au Indian chief of the Creek na- 1
tion, being ouce appointed to nego- ^
tiato a treaty of peace with tl\e people
of South Carolina was desired* by the
governor and council to speak his mind
freely, and not be afraid, for he was
among friends:—‘I will speak freely;
I will not be afraid,’ said be; ‘for why
should I be afraid among my friends,
who never am afraid amongfay cue- jj
inies?’
“I hive no more doubt that I have |
killed a hundred men than if I had |
taken a gun aud shot them.” This was
said by a person who formerly bought
and sold spirluous liquors, with refer
ence to that traffic.
A retailer in New York was lately
deprived of bis license, Aldbrman
Brown having seeu 7 hoys, 18 years
old, drinking “blue ruin” at* bis
counter.
L aws of the cherokee Na ,
TION,«*n<etcdin the years 1828,1821
1828 &. 1899, printed in pamphlet form lot-
sale at this office'
K- WIRT’S OPINION* FRtNT-
ED in pamphlet form for sate !.
this office..