Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-05-02


engagements which they so readily contracted. and
the exorbitancy OF their demands, when compared
with the ineihcacy OF their own means of perform
ance, leave them with claims upon the United
States other than OF impartial and rigorous JUS
tice.
In referring TO the impressions under which
ratified the treaty OF the 18th of February last,
DO not deem 1t necessary TO decide upon the pro-
pretty oil the manner in which it was negotiated.
Deeply reSreiting the examinations and recrimina-
tiohs 10 which these events have given rise, be-
ileVe the public interest will best be consulted by
discarding them altogether from the discussion of
the SUBJECT. The great body of the Creek nation
intteNiby refuse to acknowledge or to execute that
treaty. Upon this ground it will be set aside
should the Senate advise and consent TO the ra,f-
cation OF that now communicated, without looking
Dack TO the means by which the other was effected
And IN the adjustment of the terms of the present
treaty. have been particularly anxious 10 dispense
measure OF great lbe.ality both parties of the
creek Nation, rather than 10 exIort from them n
bargain, OF which the advantages on our part could
only be purchased by hardship on theirs.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
DEPARTMENT. OF WAR, Jan. %, 1926.
SIR: In execution of the power which YOU con-
ierred upoa me 10 negotiate with the Creek tribe
OF Indians represented in this city by their princi
pal chiefs, clothed with full powers, by the ma
OBTAIN such an arrangement as would nut an end
to the serious difficulties growing out of the trea-
~ OF the Indian Springs OF February last, | pro-
I ceeded immediately, on receiving your insiruc-
IONS TO that effect, 10 convene the delegation in
TINS Office, believing that less restrained inter-
course OF views would thereby he effected tha, in
written correspondence, and the result more
propltous TO your wishes. From information
previously received from General Gaines, it was
ell hat flair,
Sotiated at the Indian Springs, was utterly unat-
ianable. But that their consent Ia the ,elinou;h
nent OF their lands, within the State of GEORGIA
niiSht DE effected on reasonable terms tn that
end, after perceiving the entire inutilitv of
mem 10 an acquiescence in the treaty Of the Indian
springs, directed my Efforts, confidently ami.
c'pa'ins' from the information above referred 10
ii'''eua'e success. TO my SURPRISE and certainly,
very much 10 my regret, feeling, as I did the M,
"'"s' anxiety that such an arrangement should be
made and knowing that nothing could be NOR.
acceptable to yourself, found item deterrsine1
10 surrender their lands only 10 the East of Cbo,a
nooeN'e' Every effort was made, which proprie-
" would permit, TO induce them 10 meet yopr
wishes. Lest, from ignorance of their cbarac, or
shou!d tail In approaching them in some ,vav
access!o.et 10 one familiar with their motives of
'ioh' awaited myself OF the aid of distinguished
ciuzen, whose intercourse with the inhabitants ~,
N
II success had been attainable he must bavr en-,
| ceeded. lie enter cred into my views with ,,ac,i
va ana pursued the object with patience and a,
assiduty winch has entitled him 10 NV tbo,l,s
Every effort, however, was fruitless. The Cb,,.
"oochie' as forming natural boundary, was =
s'ie qua non. Indeed, such boundary seereJ
WIN then OF more consequence than the land
wHch was involved IN the contest They CONT
hua'ly urged, that artificial line yv,e no
INT
UespasSes which the conteimnous white. ,,orra-
lrateu upon them. And candor has force-I 10 -
hhoWiedSment from those experienced in The s,,
Ject mat there Is much of weight in their soIici,
LOT hatura! boundary. Finding them ne,,ino
ciou' III adherins TO this line which if estat,lisb
eu' would sim leave small portion OF land viii
~ ''ie iiHts oil Georgia, to crafty whose wishes
- ~ %e''c"oie' haa been leading motive with VIM
IN Whatever connected itself with this s.b;ec, I
had determined TO put an end TO Tho 80;
! a'ioh In rejecting, however, on the nostI,. -,
Things, IN that event and the consequences Which
misht ensue, and believing that an amjc,bIe 49,
OF ms controversy alike called fl,
oy me wishes OF the American People, and The in
rests OF those unfortunate People | pronoscd .,
'nen' alter having obtained your consent. linz
OF compromise, and finally agreed 10 thar ,bi.l ::
inserted in the treaty, which herewith cociasa.
and which, according TO the map ON Who'll !
treated, VIII have acquired for Georgia Soma g.
or Hve, hundred thousand acres OF land W., e
ne Chatahoochie, and with the lands ON the H.,
s"'e OF The Chatahoochie, making, il il belia,,oI
nearly three millions OF acres which Georoia az
luireS by The treaty; and leaving within ,be I'M,
OF Georgia, small fraction of land. beIon,
ing 10 the Creeks, not equal, perhaps to oue-tensh
y. ne part ceueu' In arranging the details, prea,
u.' "''y occurred found the delegation invin-
clOiy opposed 10 taking any land to the Nc,
The Mississippi. In consequence, the necn,;,,,'
consideration was obliged to be increased I'm an :
mount however, comparatively small in tesn.c, =,
'!le Ishu winch must have been given accord;, :.
me scale heretofore adopted, of acre for scro
o the Intrinsic difficulty arising from The ne,,
ia'lon, others, OF no small magnitude were .lGi
me Delegation OF the major part of the Creel,
non perenptoriiy refused to enter into treaty in
common with the Delegation OF the mi,ar ~
Mcintosh party. To provide for the Istter ~
liberal principles, was Indispensable ,onli,i. VI
from which nothing would have justified go. -
departing TO obviae this difficulty. I ascor,i
cd IRON each party what would he sa,isra.ts"'-
ana incorporated the whole in the treaty. ,,Li,I
was to be signed exclusively by the DeIec,,;,m IS
NE majority. The treaty was prepsred on ,Iooa
d'''' ana signed by the Delegation of the major
party. Oat OF abundant caution, / designed 10 oh.
TAN 'ile Signature OF the Delegation of the minor
party TO paper to accompany the treaty e1n,ao
sing their entire satisfaction with III. $3.50
ment' Alter the treaty had been execu,ed -
intInatlon made TO the minor party of the abovs
wIsh' they declined complying herewith, unIess =
new provision should be made in their favour -
ly, that OF the value of their improyemer,s ill;
the territory retained by the Indians which -;
unreasonable, was refused. This, bovevo. Lae
no bearing ON the validity Of the treaty 'rb";s
number, according to census taken by Cent
Gaines, IS very small, not above one fort;s,L %
the nation. They themselves stated the ntn,ho.
at sixteen hundred at the opening of The coa9e
renee with them. They suppose now fbs, ,b,oa