Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-08-19

tanned in the certificate in question were vol,n,,rl
ana 70 me unexpectedly communicated by Mr. William
EDWARDS and Joseph Marshall whose signatures i
oeais. OF The character of William Edwards who i
citizen of this state, have had no means of know
much personally-Ie has been represented to me h1
COL Broadnax of Pike, and by Col Phillips of this
county, as a man of truth, poor, but honest and
upright description of character, applicable TO F.
large class OF the inhabitants of this and other parts
vi our western border, in whom have usually found
as much devotion 10 truth, as in anv oil o., cI.ee ~
american cilHeus, Joseph Marshall is personally
oeucr known to me. lie is Creek half breed
ana Is deemed to be good Interpreter; and however
ueiecuVe' as know he is, in education, and refined
moral sentiments, and such have obtained the sane.
uon OF clVzed society, have no doubt that he s one
OF Inc most upright Chiefs that ever belonged to the lit
ue treaty making party. Neither of these men, Ed
"aros or MARSHALL appeared to me at all qualified for
wha' you denouncc their certificate TO be, sstIe most
uarhg effort that ever attempted by malignant vii
rainy. Their statements were simple and apparently
unpreludiced and uninpassioned.-They were made
ti'er inc principal business of the Council had been
brought 10 close, and in the presence of manv of the
respectable citizens of Pike county Convinced of the
propriey of all my duties with the Indians ben,
oFined IN open day and in the presence of as many as
would atteDd OF all states and of all colors took
That the certificate should be taken and explained in
presence of the Council and al! others who had seen fit
10 attend had no secret projects to promote nor anv
secret grie" TO remedy, secret hopes TO crafty:
ana consequently had occasion for separating tie
Sheis, or for secret examinations. The certificate
'as written as it was dictated, believe word for
word, by my Abide camp Lieut.. L. George Washing
ton Butler, young officer of accomplished military
education and talents with unbending integrity and
spotiess honor and who incapable giving coune
nance 10 trick representation as was the beloved
iainer OF his country with whose name lie is honoured
ana whose patriotism and virtue he constantly and scru
pulously initiates.
Having thus explained to you the means employed
10 obtan the certificate ia question: for which hold
myself responsible, have remark that altIounh
neverentertained doubt but you ere deceived into
belief that General Mcintosh had consulted The Jew
Cheis OF his party and had obtained their assent in
Counci TO the immediate survey of the coded and yet
nave found no satisfactory evidence any such Conn-
clt consisting of the Chiefs of the ceGed territory having
ever acted at all upon the subject And it is
from Mclnosl's letters 'sno matter how procuredn n
viii offer no apology for making your
p'egnaft ptraSe,) by whom written that he himself
considered the permission 10 survey merely condition
al But contend that neither General Mcintosh nor
ms Vissei Chiefs had any right TO give such permission;
Tor the treaty no matter how procuredn had become
law OF the landiis provisions could not therefore be
changed rendered imperative by any correspondence
or any subsequent agreement between your EXcelency
and any part the whole of the individuals of one of
me contracting parties without the consent OF the other
ne treaty makes 1T our duty TO protect the Indians
against Inc whites and all othets. To protect them
from te wites 1t IS necessary and proper that we should
MAINTAIN the usual line OF demacation between uen
and the whites | an charged with their protection
TO accomplish this important duty my first object has
been to take efectua measures toprevcnt
them and the Whites excepting ONLY such as is
|
You say 81 very well know that from the late events
winch have ranspired under the eyes of the Commits
soners of Georgia, that the oath of Governor oil
georgia may be permit ed TO pass for nothing, and that
any vaga6ond of the Indian country NAV be put in
requisilion TO dscrcdit him; but assure you sir fta
oath should not weigh single feather with your Go
VernneTt, will weigh with the people of this state
who SO far as have knowledge of their history have
never yet refused crcdencc 20 the word of their Chie
! Magistrate.n
| To this apparently very serious, but certainly very
vague charge, cannot undertake to reply until YOU do
the favor give me some of the matters
| OF fact to winch you have reference. will however
take tins occasion 10 remark, that whatever statement
YOU have received IN support of the insinuaton appa-
rcntly contained In your letter. that have called in
question, put any person in reGuison to call in
question, the OATH the word, of Governor of Ceor-
gla during his continuance in Office is wholly destitute
OF truth. have indeed believed and expressed 10 ven
my belief, that you have been greatly deceived by per
sons in whose honor you placed reliance but who were
unworthy your confidence.
But am by no means disposed to yield even my tac
assent 10 the high toned rule of English law which your
remarks just now quoted call TO mind that ''the King
can do no wrong" TRUTHS divine attribute and the
foundation OF every virtue. Truth the basis of al
excellence" This iDestimable moral treasure. truth
Is TO be found in The cottage well as in the palace
tIe plough as well as at the official bureau Of state
II Many OF the unfortunate wanderers of the wilderness
and its borders firm Yotaries of truth as any mel
r have ever known. Some Of them who have beer
unfortunate and whose regard truth and honesty in
NuC'u inc GOllar Justly due to bGI
creditors had they regarded money a little more AM
truth little less, might have ftited fri handed, am
now instead of being reduced TO the condition of desps
cd poverty, would waDton in the uxures of plunderec
wealth 1t is no longer possible in America TO make
Tree men believe that tte King Tor he ,cho governs
cat, do 1orMlg.n
The enlightened citizens Of the republic having onf
since found it TO be frutless look for angels in the form
Of men to govern them, know full well how TO discrii
nate between the high oce, and the man who fills it,
Your ExcelleDcy WILL doubt not always receive de
gree Of respect proporoned at least to that which yot
are woneto bestow other men in Office: more thar
this could not be cxPected-less than this would not bt
just That great part Of the citizens of Georgia arc
magnanimous, just, generous and cbivaric well know
and that they disposed TO DO justice 10 their chic
magistrate am equally convinced: nor can doubt tina
they viii do equal justice TO their United States as vel
as to their State officers. rely upon the wisdom anc
justice, and patriotism Of at least nine tentbs of hos,
with whom have the pleasure of an acquaintance
many OF whom cuityators of the land to which class
in this and every other state Of the republic look M
with confident pleasure and PRIDE they form the ada
maDtine pillars Of the UNION; against which the aurrl
yaPouring paper squbs OF the little and great dema
gogues, of all countries may continue to be hurled 70
hundreds of centuries without eDdangeriDg the nobl
\ edice; this beloved Monument of American vyie1or