The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1824-06-01
MISCELLANY.
THE CHFROKEEs


aThe Cherokees," says the Boston Gazette
" were always among the most brave and heroic
of the aboriginals Of this country-as friends thew
have generally proved faithful, as foes terrific
They have suffered much and are extremely re.
duced in number by their warlike disposition.
Most tribes Of Indians have been more deeply
injured BY attempts al civilization than by the
sword--but 70 the credit Of the Cherokees, II
must be acknowledged that they have been
more susceptible Of refinement than any other
tribe, from Canada to Mexico. The spirit Of
their fathers seems awakened at the present time,
and the following letter breahes not a jot of tear.
That philosopher Of humanity, Mr.. Jefferson, a.
gainst the common opinion of the world, began
the work of civilization among them-it has
succeeded wonderfuly-and we hope the Efforts
Of spectators will not stop the progress of the
work. They have an unquestionable right to
their SOIL for they are the native lords of IT, The
wise, the good, and 10 truth, all men of SOM
mon honesty, will feel the same sympathies
for this people as for any other whose cause Is
just"
WashiHgtoR City, .4prR, 1924.
Aiessrs. GALES AND SEAToN,
Gentlemen We have read in the Georgia
Journal, Of the 9th instant, letter from the
Georgia Delegation in Congress, 10 bis Excel
lency Geo. nj. Troup, the Gov. of Georgia,
and also some remarks of the Editor of that
paper. However great our surprise has here
tofore been at the course of proceeding Of
this Delegation, as set forth in their letter to
the President Of the u. States, and which the
Georgia Delegation consider " respectful"
but which, il it be, is different in its STYLE and
temper from what we are accustomed TO OBJ
serve in our intercourse with our chiefs yet
this surprise has been much heightened at a
new attempt to deprive US Of another portion
of our blessings. Not satisfied with wishing
the executive of the United States violently
to rupture the solemn bond of our rights 70
our lands, and TO put at defiance the pledges
which existing treaties contain guarantying
10 us our lands, il is attempted 10 take from
Us the intellect which has directed US in our
conducting the several negotiations with
commissioners appointed TO treat with US for
our lands, and with the Executive govern
ment, by the unfounded charge, that, "he
last letter af the CheTok-ees TO the Secretary Of
Var, contains internal evidence that IL lcds
neper tori1en or dictated by an Indian" Whilst
we expect to be complimented on the one
band, by this blow at our intelligence, we
cannot, in Justice allow il to pass, npon the 9TH
err, icittotk a fiat contradiction. That letter,
and every other letter, was not only t1Titten,
but dictated BY an indian. We are not 50 for
turate as 10 have such help.-The white man
seldom comes forward in our defence. Our
rights are in our own keeping; aud the proofs
of our loneliness, and the prejudiced eye
with which every thing is looked upon which
relates TO US, by such a vast majority OF those
who should Be our guardians and friends, have
-nI a.. a. =
God, sincerely, and our benevolent white
brothers. for there are some Christian hearts
which regard US, who, seeing our bereaved
and helpless state, come in TO our help, with
letters and the lights Of civilization and
christianity. We felt the necessity Of our
case, and we have endeavoured TO approve it,
Our letters are our own; and if they are
thought too refined for - Savages," let the
white man take il for proof, that with proper
assistance, Indians can think and write for
themselves. We refer the Georgia Delega-
ton, and the Editor of the Georgia Journal,
| to our corraspns3c1oo with their own Com
Imissioners in our own country. They can tell
whether the head Of white man conceived, or
his zen dictafed. tlie negotiations, on our part;
o. whether. they were the lonely and uBas-
sisted efforts Of the poor indian--whose home,
now that il begins 10 blossom aud the seed
time and the harvest are greeted, and the
chase abandoned, and the churches are ris-
ing, and the Great Spirit is felt in his iBAu-
encc upon our hearts and our gratitude. and
our little ones are learning to read his blessed
word and sing anthems in bis praise for the
gift Of the Redeemer-yes they can tell
whether they. from whom IL is attempted to
force all these blessings, and drive them into
barbarity and savageisHi, As cruel and as dark
as ever--did, or Did not conduct their own cor
respondence.--IPe say ,oe did-dBsd zee loUs
me frath--lt IS not Cor Us 10 viodicate, or at
tempt 20 vindicate. our Great Father, the
President OF ths United States; he does not
need an Indians aid, nor an Indians eulogy
but. however we are bound to love him, yet.
IA Is due 70 Justice 70 state, that we have been
ofien panied, and especialIy Of late. at the
earnextness with which he has pressed upon
Us the subject OF ceding our lands
Why be has acted thus, we are at loss to
conceive. We were cot ignorant Of the ma
lture Of the convention Of 1902. We know
every one Of its promises. II. however, these
are to be violated. and the fell war-Nho0P
shosh ever be raised against us, 10 dispossess
| Is OfOur land, we win crafty the Delegation