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FROM THE SOUTHERN BANNER.
Address of the Convention assembled ul Athens
on the 19th and 20th of October 1832, for
the purpose of establishing a Manual Labour
School.
The great importance and utility of combin
lug labour with study, have been seen and t<T
by the judicious and observing in this as well as
in other countries. But perhaps, no portion
of the community has been so alive to this salu
tary connexion, as the Christian church.— Ihe
church has seen in the manual labour system, a
means of rearing up tin efficient ministry ; a
ministry capable of enduring toil and hardship
as “ good soldiers of the cross,” and at the same
time, intellectual and acconipishod, prepared at
all points to contend manfully “ for the faith
once delivered to the saints.” Hence most if
not all of the manual labour schools in thii coun
try, have been distinguished for their piety and
Christian zeal. They form an interesting era
in the hislorv of education societies, which tire
| thus enabled to extend the sphere of their use
fulness, and preserve for the church many a de
votes] son who would, otherwise, from ill health,
•ink prematurely into the grave. Indeed, physi
cal education, (if we may judge from the many
valuable essays daily issuing from the press,)
is beginning to take that stand by the side ot in
tellectual and moral education, from which it
has been too lung banished.
The following are some of the many advan
tages connected with the manual labour system.
1. This is the most economical plan ofeduca
; tion now known. Any young man, even a boy
lof but tea years, who can wor at all, can do
something to support himself. v variety of in
teresting experiments has already proved that
such pupils earn from 85 to 8100 or more per
annum. Besides, there is a great saving from
living in commons, from plain fare, plain dress
ing, and from being removed 1 ruin the usual
temptations to spend money.
12. This system furnishes education societies
with an admirable test, by winch to try the char
acter and habits of such indigent young men as
apply to them for assistance. —It is a good rule
and has long since grown info a proverb, “ to
help those only who are willing to help them
selves.” So sensible of this are the beneficia
ries of the American Education Society, that,
during the past year, they earned more than
815,000 by their labour without injury to their
studies.
3. It is a most popular system, and its popu
larity is rapidly increasing. It is popular nut
only with the .parent, but also with the child ;
not only with the poor, but also with the rich.
As an evidence of this, let it be observed, that
wherever manual labour schools have been es
tablished, there has been a crowd of young men
pressing forward for admission. For instance,
at the Oneida Inslilute, New-York, during 1831,
more than 500 applicants were rejected for the
want of accommodations.
4. It secures firm health and a vigorous con
stilution. This results from the follow ing prin
ciple recognised by high medical authority:
“ That the body was formed and is admirably
calculated for great activity and exertion ; and
that such activity and exertion are indispensihly
necessary for the healthful performance of its
functions.” It is manifest, “ that neither the
body nor the mind is capable of attaining the
highest point of perfection, until botli are brought
into full action, and the exact ratio of action as
certained which each can bear without occa
sioning injury to the other.”
5. It is proved as far as modern experiment
goes, that the manual labour system makes the
best scholars. At the Wesleyan Institute in the
state of Maine, this was eminently the case. Os
this we have striking proof, too, in the schools
of the ancients. Cicero doubtless owed bis great
ness to the salutary influence of the Grecian
gymnaism.
6. It promotes enterprise and independence of
spirit; it enlarges and strengthens the pillars of
our republican institutions ; it cherishes a uni
versal temperance ; and above all, it promotes
the increase of an able and faithful ministry.
With such views as these, the directors and
members of the Georgia Presbyterian Education
Societv, together with delegates from a number
of churches convened in Athens on the 19th and
90th inst. for the purpose of establishing a man
ual labour school ; an account of which will be
seen in the extracts below, by reference to
which, it will be observed that the school is to he
located in the vicinity of Athens, at least for the
praaont. The prominent reason which influenced
the convention in locating the school there, is,
the great saving in expense in consequence of
the facilities afforded by the University. The
least sum with which such an institution distant
from Athens could begin, was computed at
825,000, a sum too great to he borne b}- our
churches at present. The Convention are
aware of the deep interest felt by many of their
brethren in the success of the Theological Sem
inary established at Columbia. This interest
they also feel in common with their brethren,
and would not be understood ns recommending
any Institution having for its object an interfer
ence seminary, nor would they advocate the es
tablishment of a literary instituion, which in its
results could injure the usefulness of Franklin
College.
Extracts from the Proceedings of the Convention.
Resolved 1. That it is expedient to establish
as early as practicable, an institution upon the
manual working plan, for the education of poor
and pious young men for the gospel ministry in
Georgia.
2. That the labour of the beneficiaries shall
be applied to the cultivation of the earth in the
ordinary pursuits of agriculture, and to such
mechanical operation as may I e thought most
profitable, and most healthful.
3. That the plantation, th abour of the
members of the school, their hoard, and all o
ther matters immediately connected with the
form, shall be committed to some suitable per
son to be appointed by the Board of Directors of
the Georgia Presbyterian Education Society.
4. That the members of the school shall be
required to labour at least three hours in each
day, and to perform such additional labour as
may be. deemed advisable in the discretion of
"the Directors.
5. That the school shall be opened, first, for
the reception of pious young men, members of
School.
i the Presbyterian church, who are intended to
prepare for the gospel ministry ; second, for the
children of Presbyterian parents, whether pious
or not, and for any member of the Presbyterian
church not preparing for the ministry; and third,
for persons who belong to any of the orthodox
churches of our State, who may give satisfactory
evidence of piety; all of whom may board in the
Institution, and shall be alike subject to its gov
ernment.
6. That, for the present, a suitable plan'alion |
he purchased, and the school located in the vi- :
cinity of Athens, in order that the students may
be enabled, after entering, to attend to the du ies
ofCollege.
■
7. That a competent teacher be employed by
: the Board of Directors of the Georgia Presby
-1 terian Education Society, to take charge of the
I literary department of the school, who shall re
| side upon the plantation: and that the course of
| studies to he taught, shall correspond with those
j required for admission into the Sophomore class
| in Franklin College.
8. Tint the Directors of the Georgia Pres
\ byterian Education Society he, and they are
| hereby request'd to appoint special agents fur the |
1 purpose of promoting the ends herein proposed, I
| and for the purpose of procuring means for the i
establishment and maintenance of the manual
i labour school, and that they also appoint au
agent in each of the Presbyterian Churches of
j our State, with ins'ructions to aid by ail the
j means in their power, in promoting the great
. objects of the Institution.
9. That it is expedient, that the government,
I control, and management of the manual labour
■ school, be committed to the hands of the Board
of Directors of the Georgia Presbyterian Educa
tion Society ; and that they he and are hereby
respectfully requested and earnestly solicited to
assume the same, and proceed as early as practi
cable to carry fully into effect the views herein
contained.
10. That each member of this Convention con
sider himself hereby pledged to use all his in
fluence, and means within his control,fur the
establishment and support of the manual labour
school, and that its interests be hereby earnestly
recommended to the exertions and prayers ol the
church.
The Convention examined by committee the
plantation of Mr. Nishet, one mile above Athens,
and being satisfied that it was upon the whole,
the most suitable one they could procure, recom
mended the Directors to make the purchase
forthwith.
There are 450 acres of land, a line building
with a cellar, six fire-places and eleven rooms,
besides all other necessary buildings.
The Convention before concluding their ad
dress to their brethren, would suggest, that in
aiding them and the Georgia Presbyterian Edu
cation Society, to establish and maintain this
Institution, they could effectually serve them by
contributing article's ot household furniture,
plantation utensils, &c.
The following, among other things will be
needed : horses or mules, hogs, cows, beds and
bedding, chairs, socks, leather, tallow, fodder,
oats, corn, wheat or flour, homespun, &c. &c.
JOHN S. WlLSON, President.
M. W. DOBBINS, > . .
JOHN NISBET, \ Secretaries ‘
The newspapers of the State friendly to
education, are requeste to give the above an in
sertion.
Tiic following correspondence will he read
with interest and pleasure by every true Repub
lican.
New-York, Sept. 28, 1832.
To the Hon. Martin Van Burbn —
Sir : W« have been deputed by the General
Committee of Democratic Republican Young
Men of the city of New-York, to place in your
hands the accompanying record of their proceed
ings. No duty could devolve upon us more in
consonance with our feelings as members of tin's
community, or more gratifying in our capacity
as representatives of a political body, than that
which we are about to discharge.
During the larger portion of our political ex
perience, your name has been identified with the
leading public measures connected with the wel
fare and honor of your native state; and for a
part of the time, the evidences of your zeal, ta
lents, and devotion to the best interests of the
. country, have been apparent in the enlarged
views entertained, and in the beneficial policy
adopted, in the councils of the nation. In seek
ing for a light to direct our political course, we
have heeivsatisfied, that, amid the conflicts of
opinion, and the storms of party, we could look
to you, with confidence in the integrity of your
intentions and in the soundness of your judg
ment. Witnessing on all occasions the wisdom
and patriotism displayed in your public career,
we have been convinced that we could safely
trust to the guidance of your example.
Entertaining these sentiments in all sincerity,
we have observed, with feelings which we will
not here attempt to express, the unjust attacks
that from time to time have been directed against
you by political opponents. We have looked
upon these assaults, not alone as indicating a false
estimate of what is due from one citizen to
another; hot. ns torulins in/.v-’f-i Kly, and almost
irremediable, to degrade the national character,
and to debase the standard of our political mo
rality in the eyes of the world.
It is no part of our present purpose to ani
madvert on a late proceeding, in which your
motives were impeached, your measures im
pugned, and your character assailed, by the
members of a public body, acting without the
responsibility which attaches to open and digni
fied legislation. The injustice of the decision
alluded to has been declared by an impartial tri
bunal. The representatives of the people have
pronounced a verdict of acquital on the charges.
The people themselves are about to speak, and
little is hazarded in predicting that their voice
will he heard in a triumphant vindication.
It is a source of deep regret that the calamity
with which our city was articled, at the period of
your return, forbade our communicating person
ally with you at that time, in conformity with
the resolutions under which we act : we adopt
therefore, the present mode of assuring you of
the respectful attachment entertained for your
character as a citizen and statesman, and of the
high estimation in which vour pul He services are
held, by the Democratic Republican Young Men
of New-York.
In connecting our own individual congratula
tions with the recorded sentiments of those we
represent, and while tendering a sincere and
respectful welcome to your native state, we take
leave to assure you ofthe high regard and esteem
with which we are
A our most obedient servants,
Prosper M. Wetmore, Robert H. Maclav,
John McKeon, Jacob T. Kent,
John R. Livingston, Jr. Anthony Hart',
John B. Scolcs, James Shea,
Andrew Warner, John A. Morrill,
Edward Sanford, Charles G. Ferris,
E. T. Throop Martin, Daniel Dusenbury,
■ William Allen, Andrew Hutton,
Lawrence P Jordon. Jacob Hardenbrook.
GENERAL COMMITTEE
or L'XtHOCKAXIC REPUBLICAN YOUNG HEN.
In Committee , f
Tamhanv Hall, June 5, 1832. $
The following preamble and resolutions were
adopted, unanimously:—
Whereas, on the 'result of the approaching
presidential elec ion, depends, in the opinion ot
this Committee; the continuance of our present
i national prosperity, ifnot the permanency otour
: republican institutions; And, whereas, tins com
| mittee holds it to be the duty ol all. who regard
; the welfare oftheir country, to contribute by a
I frank and decided expression of opinion, the fuh
1 weight of their influence in determining ques
tions of great public importance.
Therefore, Resolved, That this committee has
witnessed with feelings of national pride, the ma
ny an ! signal benefits which have resulted Irom
the wise, honourable, and energetic policy ol the
present Administration, and that it views the
question of the re-election of Andrew Jackson,
as identical with the lasting prosperity and hap
piness of the country.
Resolved, That in the Democratic Republican
i candidate, presented to the people of the bailed
States, for the office of \ ice President, tiiis com
mittee recognizes an upright and patriotic citi
zen, an able, intelligent, and experienced states
man; one who has enjoyed, uninterruptedly, the
confidence ol Ids native State, and whose ef
forts in the public service have been directed
with a single eye to the promotion ofthe public
good.
Resolved, That this committee responds most
Cordially to the nomin ition of MARTIN \ AN
Lit" REN, not alone as an act of justice to an in
jured citizen, spontaneously rendered by the re
presentatives of the people, but in the sincere
and confident belief, that his election will ad
vance the interests, sustain the honour, and ele
vate the character of the nation.
On motion, the following resolutions wore
adopted unanimously: —
Resolved, That this committee deems it alike
an act of duty to itself, and of justice to a re
spected fellow-citizen, who has distinguished
himselfin the public service, to : n-A r him a
tribute of respect on his return fro i a foreign
mission.
Resolved, That a committc of fifteen be ap
pointed to congratulate Mr. \ an Huron, on his
arrival in tiiis city, and to present to him a copy
of these proceedings, accompanied by the ex
pression, on behalf of this committee, ol a cor
dial welcome to his native State.
The committee was ordered to consist ot the
following members:
Prosper M. Wetmorc, W illiam Allen,
John McKeon, Lawrence P. Jordan,
Jacob T. Kent, Andrew Hutton,
E. Throop Martin, Jacob Hardenbrook,
John R. Livingston, Jr. James Shea,
Charles G. Ferris, John B. Scotes,
Edward Sanford, Andrew Warner.
Daniel Dunsenbury.
On motion, the Chairman and Secretaries
were added to the Committee.
Extract from the minutes.
ROBERT 11. M ACL AY, Chairman.
Anthony Haff, ) Secretaries .
John A. Morrill, $
Albany, October 17, 1832.
Gentlemen: Your letter of the 28th ultimo,
with the accompanying proceedings oi your
Committee, was received in my absence, and
I embrace the first moment of my return to this
city, to express to you my sincere thanks for the
very honourable manner in which you have been
pleased to associate my name with his who is so
eminently entitled to our best affections and
lasting gratitude.
O c
I should be unthankful indeed, if I did not
cherish the liveliest gratitude for the kind and
generous feelings evinced towards me by the
Democratic Republican Young Men of the city
of New. York, at a period in my public life so
delicate and peculiar as that to which your pro
ceedings more panicularly relate. So flattering
an expression of their confidence would at any
time have afforded me the highest gratification,
but more particularly at the present moment,
when, in common with their brethren through
out the State, they have taken a stand in favor
of the saving principles of the Constitution,
which cannot fail to be remembered as an inter
esting era in the politics of our State. There
are occasions, which, from their deep interest
and important results, gives to the lives of public
men a decisive and unchangeable character, ac.
cording to the different parts which they per
form in them. The late war was one, and the
present contest, so far as it relates to the princi
ples involved, is, in my opinion, next in import
ance.
For the indignant feelings with which you
have witnessed the uninterrupted streams of de
traction, with which it has suited the views of
my opponents to visit me, I feel deeply indebted
to you. Whilst there have been periods in the
lives of most Republicans, during which the in
vectives of most of our opponents have at least
been suspended, it has been my good, or bad
fortune, never to have enjoyed a moment’s re
spite, since mr fiiSt eillroncc into public fife.
As 1 am unconscious of possessing either a vin
dictive spirit, or of indulging in any peculiar
extravagance of opinion, 1 have allowed myself
to regard this unusual asperity on the part of my
adversaries, as a compliment to my consistency,
at least. No public man can, or ought to be in
sensible to the opinions of his opponents, when
formed with candor, and expressed with decen
cy ; and if I could possibly look upon the in
discriminate and unsparing denunciations of
their presses, as the sincere convictions of the
intelligent and respectable men who are found
in the ranks of the opposition, I certainly could
not but regret, that it had not been in my power
to render my course more deserving of their ap
probation. But viewed, as I think they must
be, as the results of a pre-determined and un
changeable resolution to condemn every act
which can be rendered in the slightest degree
assailable by artful misrepresentation, the opin
ions expressed, cannot, I trust, fail to be regard
ed, by all liberal A: just minds, as utterly worth
less.
It is however highly creditable to the public
sentiment of our country, that, whilst practices
so disreputable to our press, have be .Aplored
as abuses of an insritution, which, n A stand
ing anv degree of licentiousness to \v. t may
occasionally be exposed, must nevertheless be
regarded ns the most efficient support of our
political fabric, there has uniformly been found
a redeeming spirit with the people, which has j
secured the individuals selected as the subjects of
vituperation against permament injury. So
strikingly is this result confirmed by experience,
that whilst many of our most distinguished pub
lic men have been seriously injured .y favours
derived from such sources, there is scarcely an
instance to be found, in which the objects of
their obloquy have not been raised in the estima
tion of the public, in exact proportion to the in
tensity and duration of the abuse to which they
have been thus exposed..
It gi vesme the highest pleasure to find, from
the more general proceedings of your Commit
tee. that you have had the wisdom to leave the
field of personal detraction, to those, who not
withstanding the experience of the past, are still
disposed to occupy it, anJ to devote yourselves
to the discussion and support of principles, the
complete establishment ot which, is calculated
' to exercise a favorable influence on public at
tains when we will no longer have it in our pow
er to be useful, and slid more so, that \ou have
selected for your adoption, the simple, yet salu
! tary, doctrines of the old Republican school.
Be’assured, that it is through their agency alone,
' that civil authority, however wise-distributed or
1 solemnly restricted by written constitutions, can
be preserved from the insidious approaches of
wealth, ambition, and arbitrary power.
These doctrines successfully maintained, and
the elective franchise preserved in its purity,
and exerciser! with independence —the contest
between the cause in which you have s<> zealous
i ly embarked, and its antagonist principle, can
i never be doubtful in this State. M hatevei tem
porary success may occasionally attend the se
ductions ot wealth, and the assaults ot cammny,
let nothing impair your confidence in the peo
ple. The events of more than half a century at
test the futility of all former attempts to overawe
or to corrupt them and rely upon it they have
not degenerated. I am Gentlemen,
very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
MARTIN VAN BUREN.
To Messrs. Prosper M. Wet more, John McKeon,
John R. Livingston, jr. John 13. Scales, An
drew Warner, and others. Committee.
FKS DAY, XOVEX ISBEJ 2, {BB2.
FOR PRESIDENT.
A3JDR EW JACKSOST.
VICE-PRESIDENT.
SJARTIX VAN BUR JEN.
!EF We observed some time ago, that we would not be
surprised to hear that Mr. Webb and Gen. Dull Green,
had become good friends and would shortly praise one
another as independent, consistent, and honest editors.
It is duo to Mr. Webb, to say, that we have been mis
taken in our expectation; for u appears from the follow
ing article, taken from his paper of the 23d October, that
lie entertains the same opinion of Gen. Green he
once did. Whether Gen. Green entertains the same
opinion of Mr. Webb he once did, we know not ; and we
care not, for in both the public have no confidence.
“ We entertain no better opinion of Duff Green now,
than we did formerly. When in 1828 he advocated with
us the election of Andrew Jackson we then considered
his course disreputable to the cause. We are now op
posing Jackson’s re-election and so is Green, but farther
than this, there is no concert in our proceedings. We
consider the caricatures which he puts in his Telegraph
disgraceful to the character of the press, and his late
personal attack upon Mr. Van Buren is admitted by his
friends to be in famous in every sense of the word. The
truth is, Green, Kendal!, Blair and Lewis, all came to
Washington to prey upon the treasury, and quarrelled a
bout the division of the plunder. They will soon be good
friends again.”
PUBLIC EDUCATION.
The perpetuity of the republican government under
which we live, depends on the diffusion of knowledge
among the general mass of the people ; it should, there
fore, be the duty of those to whom power has been del
egated, to provide for the education of every being be
longing to the community. We must confess, that so
far, Georgia has done almost what she could, in order
to promote the acquisition of knowledge. But the plan
she has adopted is yet imperfect; and though schools
are now more numerous, there is a defect in the manner
they are administered, and provided with experienced
teachers, which prevents them from being so useful as
they should be. Our remarks allude to county acade
mics and schools, and not to the University. The legis
lature has been bountiful to the latter institution ; it is in
a flourishing condition ; but the legislature should not
neglect the academies and schools, for they are of equal,
if not of superior, importance to the people, inasmuch as
a greater number of citizens are interested in their pros
perity, than in the prosperity of Franklin College. For
one hundred heads of families that are able to send their
children to Athens, thousands can only give a common
education to theirs. The legislature, at every session,
should not neglect to take the subject into serious con
sideration, and to improve the plan now pursued in the
state.
Every year a school fund is distributed among the
counties. Sometimes this fund, after it has been taken
away from the treasury, is in the hands of the Judges
of the Inferior Courts; sometimes in the hands of
commissioners, or a treasurer ; and sometimes nobody
knows where. There should be a strict accountability
required from those who have the employment of
this fund ; and throughout the state a few citizens only,
say five in each county, should have the disbursement of
the money, and the choice of teachers, with the exclu
sive superintendence of all the academies and schools
in their respective counties. There should be a uniform
rule, and a uniform mode of accounting for the fund and
its employment. By the pian now pursued, no account
ability can be expected; the counties are dilatory in
making their returns; and when made, are frequently
incorrect, and do not give at all a satisfactory statement
of the condition of the public schools. It is known that
several counties have failed to make returns for several
years past. With such imperfections in the system pur
sued, it cannot be expected that the fund provided by
the state for the public schools, will accomplish the ob
ject for which it was appropriated. With the means and
resources of Georgia, there is not a single doubt that in
a few years, every father would be able to have his chil
dren well taught in reading, writing, and arithmetic, if
not in some higher branches of education, were a more
perfect system to be adopted. Strict accountability will
improve the system ; and the legislature can easily find
the mode of compelling punctuality, and a faithful dis
charge of duties, on the part ot those who have the su
perintendence of the public schools.
We are bound by every thing sacred, to provide for
the education of our offspring. If we cannot leave them
a fortune, let us leave them, at least, the means of earn
ing their bread honourably and virtuously; for they can.
not become good and useful citizens, if in their youth
knowledge has not been imparted to them—if by educa
tion they have not been made acquainted with the histo
ry and public institutions of the world. A man of knowl
edge—of good common education—will earn his bread
every where, in every clime. He will be a good citizen.
The ignorant is generally prejudiced, stubborn, and of
ten lazy; a bad citizen, and a bad father; easily gov
erned by others, he has no opinion of his own. Besides,
in a republic like ours, every citizen is bound to serve
his country, when called upon by his fellow citizens. If
he has no knowledge, how can he discharge the duties
of the office to which he will have been raised ? He can
serve his country in any capacity, if he has knowledge.
Must he not know how to read and writs, to be a consta
ble ? And it he were to be sent to the legislature, will
not any man oftceling be greatly mortified, should he
not be able to understand the purport of legislative de
liberation ? How then can we be useful to ourselves, to
our families, and to our country, if we do not acquire the
means while young ? Can a free man be contented to
work irom morning till night, all the year round, in the
field, without associating with h:s fellow men—wfithout
the happiness of a companion and children to cheer and
comlort his old age ? There is a time for all things. The
i farmer has his leisure hours. He has lime, after his usu
al labour, to attend to wife and children, and even to
public business : because if he has had prudence and
, practical knowledge, when young and robust, he will
have worked hard enough to acquire such a competency
as to give him leisure time when in a more advanced
a>-e. But the ignorant in the field, will always remain
in the field ; he will be lit fur nothing else : he will not be
a dead weight on the community, but he will certainly be
a cvpher in it. A nobla ambition prompts the man of
knowledge to better his condition. With the ignorant,
to eat, drink, and sleep, are all what he seeks in this
world. By the man of knowledge, freedom is cherish
ed ; with the ignoraiU, whether an Heliogabalus or a
Marcus Aurelius governs, it is the same thing to him.
The man of knowledge maintains the reputation, hon
our, and welfare of his country, with his purse, and his
• sword ; with the ignorant, a good reputation, and hon
our, are virtues he does not understand. The man ot
knowledge is almost always charitable, liberal, and con
descending; the ignorant is selfish and unfeeling. The
man ofknowledge is grateful for favours and services
rendered to him, but firm and unbending in resenting in
sults from the perverse ; the ignorant is neither grateful
nor resentful: he does not know what is a favour or an
insult. In a free country like ours, the man ol knowl
edge is the support ofthe slate ; the ignorant is its bane.
It should, therefore, be the duty of the legislature to
keep in mind, that the more the people are enlightened,
the more our public institutions will last; the more the
people are enlightened, the more they will be virtuous,
free and happy. The legislature should at every session,
make public education the principal object ot their de
liberation. It should at every session improve the plan
already in operation, til! it is as perfect as the human
mind can make it.
THE MISSION A KIES.
The annual meeting of the American Board of Mis
sions, was held in New-York on the 3d instant. As
matter for historical record, we publish the following
extracts from the report, and which relate to the Mis
sionaries now in the Penitentiary of Georgia :
*• it was stated in the Report of last year, that
the missionaries had been driven from Carmel,
Hightower, Haweis, and New Echota, the
Georgia guard. The missionaries, at the for
mer places, after having been once arrested and
discharged by order of the Court in Gwinnett
county, Georgia, thought it expedient, when
they were threatened with a second arrest, to
remove their families out of that portion ofthe
Cherokee Territory over which Georgia claim
ed jurisdiction. On this point the Committee
when consulted, left them to act according to
their own conviction of duty, as citizens of the
United States, and missionaries oft! Lord Je
sus Christ.”
“ Messrs. Worcester and Butler were arrest
ed and brought to trial before the Supreme Court
of the State of Georgia, sitting in Gwinnett
county, on the 15th of September. The Jur} r
in their verdict, declared them guilty of resid
ing in that portion of the Cherokee Territory
claimed b} r Georgia, contrary to the laws of that
State, and on the following day they were sen
tenccd to four years imprisonment at hard la
bor in the Penitentiary of that State. Nine
other persons were tried and sentenced to the
same punishment by this Court : one of them
was a preacher of the Gospel, of the Methodist
denomination, and four others wore professors
of religion. On their arrival at the gates of
the Penitentiary, pardon was offered to them, on
condition that they would promise not again to
reside in the Cherokee country. With these
offers all complied except Messrs. Worcester
and Butler, who were accordingly thrust into
prison, where they have remained to the pre
sent time. Mrs. Worcester and Mrs. Butler
still remain at New Echota, and retain posses
sion of the mission premises.”
“ Messrs. Worcester and Butler, on their tri
al before the Superior Court of Georgia, had
the aid of good legal counsel, who urged in
their defence, and as a bar to the indictment,
that the Cherokee country was not within the
jurisdiction of Georgia, and that their arrest and
trial under the laws of that State were contra
ry to the Constitution, Treaties, and Laws of
the United States. They therefore determined,
with the approbation of the Prudential Commit
tee, to appeal to the Supreme Court of the Uni
ted States. Measures were accordingly taken
to bring their case in due form before that tri
bunal.”
“ In the meantime, as the Missionaries enter
ed the Cherokee country with the express sanc
tion and protection of the Executive of the U.
States, the Committee, in accordance with the
instructions of the Board at ils last annual meet,
ing, forwarded a memorial to the President,
containing a full statement of the embarrass
ments and injuries to which the Missionaries and
Missionary property in the Cherokee nation had
been and were subjected, together with the cir
cumstances connected with the arrest and im
prisonment of Messrs. Worcester and Bailor,
and praying that the power of the Executive
might be interposed to protect the Missionaries
in their labors, from further molestation and
violence, and that the Attorney General of the
United States might be instructed to commence
a suit against the offending officers of the State
of Georgia, for the arrest and imprisonment,
and other injurious treatment, of the Teachers
and Missionaries, in violation of the treaties and
laws of the Union, and their rights as citizens
of the same.
“ The President replied to this memorial,
through the Secretary of War, simply stating,
that, as Georgia had extended her laws over the
Cherokees, the various acts of Congress, provid
ing a mode of proceeding in such cases, incon
sistent with the State laws, became inoperative,
and that he, therefore, had no authority to in
terfere.
“ A writ of error was granted by one of the
Justices of the Supreme Court ofthe United
States, on the application of Messrs. Worcester
and Butler, and the case was brought up and a
bly argued on the 20th, 21st, and 23d days of
February last, by Messrs. Wirt and Sergeant,
in behalf of the plaintiffs in error. The deci
sion of the Court was pronounced by Chief Jus
tice Marshall on the 3d of March last. The
Court exhibited, at length, in a very lucid and
convincing manner, the nature and extent of the
right of discovery, the original ground upon
which different European powers laid claim to
the continent, the manner in which the lands of
the Indians have heretofore been obtained, the
import and binding obligations of the treaties
which have been made with the Indians, and the
manner in which the Constitution of the United
States and the acts ol Congress relating to the
Indian affairs are to be understood. The laws
of Georgiy enacted within the last two or three
} ears, extending the jurisdiction of that State
over tiie Cherokee country, were also examin
ed by lae Court, and declared to W. repugnant
to the Constitution, Treaties, and Levs of the
United States. The mandate of the Court was
immediately issued, reversing and annulling the
judgment oi the Supreme Court of Georgia, and
ordering that all proceedings on the indictment
against the prisoners do forever surcease, and
that the prisoners be and hereby are dismissed
therefrom.
“ A motion was made on the 17th of March,
in the Superior Court of Georgia, by Messrs.
Chester, Underwood, and Harden, the counsel
for -Messrs. Worcester and Butler, that the man- :
date of the Supreme Court of the United States
be received and entered upon the records, and
that a writ of habeas corpus be issued to b r j ncf
the prisoners before the Court, for the purpose
of their discharge, in obedience to said rnan.
date. After this motion had been argued, the
Court refused to obey the mandate of the Su.
preme Court, or to discharge the prisoners. The
Court refused to allow the motion, or the deci.
sions of the Court upon it, or any matter relat.
ini; to the case, to be entered on its records.
“On the 4th of April, the principal coan Se ]
for the prisoners addressed a letter to the IJ 0n
Wilson Lumpkin, Governor of the State of
Georgia, enclosing the decision and mandate of
the Supremo Court of the L wited States, and thy <
doings thereon in the Superior Court of Gwi n
nett county, praying that he would exercise tb"
power entrusted to him as Chief Magistrate of
tlie State, and discharge the prisoners. To this
application, Governor Lumpkin refused to an
swer in writing, but gave a verbal ileniuf.
“ A memorial to the President ot the United
States was prepared by the counsel for the p r i.
soners, in their behalf, praying him to interpose
his authority for enforcing the decision of the
Court; But, after consideration, it was deemed
inexpedient to present it, in the present stage of
the case. It was also, after consultation with
the friends of the Board, and of the Indians, in
Congress, deemed inexpedient to petition that
body on the subject during their last session
The case will probably be brought before the
Supreme Court again at their next term, when
they will take such measures as, in their wisdom
they shall think best, for enforcing their deck
sion. It must be left to Providence to decide
bow this painful business shall terminate, and
what shall be its influence on the Indians, and
on our own government and country. In the
meantime, the Missionaries and their bereaved
families are earnestly commended to the contin.
ued prayers of the members of the Board, and
its patrons, and to the merciful care of the Great.
Head of the Church.
“During the year, Messrs. Worcester and
Butler, while separated from their beloved sum.
ilies and labours, condemned to an ignominious
punishment, and shut up in a Penitentiary with fe
lons, have been placed in a most trying situation,
requiring great fortitude, and a firm reliance on
the faithfulness of their covenant with their God
and Saviour. They have without doubt, shared
largely in the sympathies and prayers of the
churches throughout the land, especially of the '
Christian Cherokees, and it ought to be a cause
of devout thanksgiving in their behalf that they
have been so fully satisfied as to their duty, have
possessed so much contentment and peace of
mind, and enjoyed so many manifestations of •
the divine presence and favor, and have so muck
spiritual enjoyment. Nor should it he noticed
with less gratitude, that they have been enabled
so well to maintain the Christian character, and
to exhibit, in all the trials and sufferings to which
they have been subjected by the officers of the
slate of Georgia, that meekness and benevolent
forbearance which the Gospel requires. It is
believed that in all their correspondence there
has not been one word which indicates an an
gry, unforgiving, or vindictive spirit.
“ It is due to Charles E. Mills, Esq. keeper of
the Penitentiary, to mention, that Messrs. Wor
cester and Butler, as prisoners, have been treated
with great kindness. Their tasks have not been
severe. They have been allowed to sec their
friends & to correspond with them as freely as the
regulations of a prison could be expected to per
mit, and every indulgence seems to have been
granted them which could be expected in such cir
cumstances, for promoting their personal com
fort.
“Their health during most of the year hn»
been good. Mrs. Worcester and Mrs. Butler
visited the prison last fall, and had an interview
with their husbands, and were expecting to re
peat the visit the present autumn. They have
daily read the Scriptures and prayed with the
prisoners confined in the same building with
themselves, with much religious conversation.
They have also had stated religious services on
the Sabbath, and during the last four or six
months, all the prisoners have been assembled,
and Mr. Worcester has been requested by Judge
Mills, the keeper, to preach to them one half of
the day. A spirit of inquiry has, to some ex
tent, been awakened among the prisoners. A
number have broken off their inequities, tempo
rarily at least, and a few, it is hoped, have been
savingly and permanently benefited.”
“ According to the laws of the state of Geor
gia, surveyors have been sent into the Cherokee
country ; the division of it into lots is now near
ly completed, and the Lottery by which these
tracts are to be distributed among the citizens
of Georgia, is to he drawn about this time. —
Much effort has been made during the year to
induce the Cherokees to enrol as emigrants, and
the places of all such as have been enrolled,
have been rented or sold to white men who are
filling the country. The Cherokees have gene
rally been very much united, and notwithstand
ing they have been so harassed and distressed,
they have still almost unanimously resolved not
to remove, until driven from their country by
force. Recently, when an Agent of the Go
vernment appeared in their Council, and pro
posed to them to meet Commissioners for the pur
pose of making a treaty for ceding their lands,
they unanimosly rejected the proposal without
debate. It is said, however, the people are be
coming somewhat divided—some, after having
their wrongs and grievances laid before the peo
ple of the United States without redress, and de
spairing of being reinstated in their rights, sup
posing that ultimate removal will bo unavoida
ble, and that it is expedient for them to make
the best terms they can, without protracting a
wasting and unsuccessful opposiotion. The
great body of the people, however, it is believ
ed, including most of their intelligent and influ
ential men, are still determined to test the ques
tion fully, whether they can obtain a redress of
their wrongs, and be reinstated in the rights anu
immunities which they formerly enjoyed, and
which have been guaranteed to them and their
posterity by numerous treaties, by the Govern-,
ment and the people of the United States.”
THE JOURN AL,
AND HISTORY OF THE TIMES.
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