Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-06-18

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try between the Atlantic and the Mississippi, il
was thought we took something by tit was
not believed that it gave what we and all
inankinl had before, the right to ask the Indians
TO sell lands in fair market; we not only thought
differently, but acted differently. We knew
that the whole country was ours in virtue of tho
very best kind OF title then recognized by civil
'Aed Europe, and paying proper respect to the
occupation of the Indians, we exercised all the
rights OF sovcreigns and masters until MIR. A.
dams conceived a notion that part of the country
belonged to him. So he said to us. that part
which you occupy you may keep, the rest
will take myself. So, accordingly, he sat down
with his army on the banks of the Missssipn.
and erected territorial government Georria
was in no condition to resist-she began, there
fore, 10 supplicate-from supplication she passed,
by an effort ofgreat courage, 10 remembrance,
and thence suddenly into the articles of agree
nent " cession where NC still find her; but in the
mean time, what had happened? blush TO
think of it-the evils of that sore and nameless
iniqnity, are felt at this hour in all the ramfica
tions Of soccty-the instigators and plottcrs of
it you paid handsomely how-iwill not saw
the secret is yet to be revealed-the purity of
the PRESIDENT has no doubt kept him stranger
to 1t to this moment. But, after ALL having pro.
duccd IN course of piece meal execution oftt,s
articles for 20 years; why do you stop short.
and say to us all this has been gratuitous-we
owed you nothing, and we have paid you great
deal, your rcstlcssness and inquietude and i'm
portunitics, our harrassments and perplexit;cs
and expenses, have been the results of false con-
ceits and Authorizations; and they must have an
end. Accordingly, 1t is recommended to end
them, by proposing removal of the Indians
with their consent; not because the United
States are bound by the compact to take this or
any other measure to place Georgia at once in
possession of her tcrritory--but because of con-
siderations confined exclusively to the welfare
and prosperity of the Indians. am, notwiti-
standing, gratified that the President and nv
self, differing unfortunately on other points.
should concur in this as a measure indispensa-
bic to the Improvement of the condition of the
indi"ns, and necessary TO secure their perma.
nent peace and happiness. But, why this could
not have been accomplished without the inter-
vention OF Congress cannot easily conceive.
A treaty for exchange of lands would seem TO
ME to be as obviously within the compass of Ex
ecntivc powers, as treaty for the purchase of
lands or any other object. If the instrument
ofpersuason is the only admissible one for the
attainment of the end, ! do not know how Con-
grcss can, by any act of theirs make that which
is already in the hands of the President, more
efficient for your own purposes. Delay is Ger
tam to follow, and anxious as we are to know
| our fate, it is delay we dcprecate. The first
detachment from the body of the Cherokccs
moved across the Mississippi on the naked pro.
| 'iIoc VI Suggestion OIL -NIr. JeICrSOn-a MAJORITY
of tue Cherokecs would do so now.
One more instance, il you please. of tI,c I'm.
KIND and unfriendly treatment recently rcceiy-
cd at the hands of the United States. The Pre-
sidcnt, IN the course of the present session, has
considered it his duty to recommend to Com
gross to make provision for the Massachusetts
militia claims. which Congress had hitherto re.
FUSED TO recognize, because, with very few exc
ceptions, that militia lin the late war with Eng
land flagrante belIo) were arrayed against the
constituted authorities of the federal govern
ment Georgia, too, has militia claims against
the federal government, of some twenty or thir-
| ty years standing, which have been, constantly
urged upon the justice of Congress. rcrnen-
Der TO have introduced them before the Senate,
and SO u!nexccPtionablc were they deemed by
that enlightened body, that their validity was
sanctloned without dissenting voice. They
would have passed the House of Representa-
hves also; but on their way fell into bad COM
pany: they fell in with the Massachusetts claims.
then most obnoxious, and shared their fate.
Fhey were claims for services faithfully and pa
trioticaliy rendered in defence of our frontier a.
gainst the Indians. They amount to $40 900
AT least When we press the United States
Tor payment, the answer is--These claims, and
all other claims of Georgia, were merged in the
articles of agrcement and cesson; and when we
go to look for the article in which this supposed
| mcrsion is to be found, we will as readily find
III In that very important one which gives to us
the right to ask lands of the Indians, and the In
dams the corresponding right Of answering, No.
as many other.
| i will trouble you no further on this unplea-
SAINT subject. The causes which lead 10 the ex-
positions and references contained in this paper
arc not of nv seeking: would willingly have
avoided them. The absolute denial of our
rights, as we understand, and have understood
them, at the moment when we believed tley
would have been most respected, is subject of
modification and regard. So far as partici-
pate these feelings with my countrymen, assure
you, sir, they are not the offspring ofthis day or
this hour. Smarting under sense of our
wrongs, within the first hour set my foot on the
| floor of the Senate Chamber, had occasion TO
expose the wrongs of Georgia, and to apprize
the Senators that ] would never vote for an In
lian treaty until the claims Of Georgia were sat-
ished. My convictions and my feelings remain
the same to this day. Nevertheless, nv scnti-
ments towards the President are UNCHANGED.
Who can be exempt from error amid the cares
and troubles of such an Office? What heart so
Gallons as not to pardon injuries inflicted BY it,
We forgive; but rights arc still our rights
| At what time, and in what manner, they will be
asserted, must depend upon the Representa-
| tivcs Of the People.
Respectfully, your obcdicnt servant,
| G.M. TROUP.
Hon. j. c. CALHOUN, Sec'y ofJTar.