Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-09

claims to unoccupied land on her Western iron
tier, which did not, either before or shorty al
ter the adoption of the Federal Constitution,
make such cession to the United States. Re
solutions were repeatedly adopted by the oid
Congress, recommending 10 her cesslon, on
the same principles on which the cesslons OF
the other States, and particularly Virginia, had
been made. In the year 1888, Georgia offered
10 Congress a cession Of land, commencing on
the Chatahouchie river at her Southern boun-
dary, running up that river one hundred ana
6fty miles, thence, due West 10 the Mlsslsslp-
pa tract comprehending the lower hall oil
the present States Of Alabama and Mississippi.
Several conditions were attached to this ces-
sion, among others that of guarantee TO Geor-
gia Of all the remainder Of the unoccupied lands
which she claimed to the West. These condl-
tons were not satisfactory to Congress, and
the cession was not accepted.
In l795 the Legislature Of Georgia proceed
ed 10 make extensive sales Of the unoccupied
lands on her Western frontier. Great embar-
easements arose, relative 10 the titles acquired
under these sales; and al length, in 500, COM
promise was entered into between Georgia and
the United States, in virtue of which, and on
conditions mutually acceptable, Georgia coded
to the United States all her right and title,
Westward Of a certain line; and the United
States coded to Georgia all the claim, right,
and title, OF the United States, to the jurisdie-
ton and soil Of the territory East Of the said
line; assuming, at the same time, the obhgauon'
Of extinguishing the Indian title TO all the lands
East Of the said line, as soon as 1t could be
done "peaceably and on reasonable terms. -
These articles OF cession were concluded be-
tween the Commissioners Of the United States
and those of Georgia, on the oath April, 1902.
AT this time the Oconee river formed the East
ern boundary Of the Greek Indians, and the
quantity Of land occupied by them in Georgia
amounted to l9,57S,89o acres.
In pursuance of the compact OF 1902, and
but few months after its conclu sion, "a treaty
was made between the United States and The
Greeks, by which portion of land was ceGed
by the Indians, and still larger portion, by
another treaty, concluded in 1905 BY these
two treaties, there were coded to the United
States, for the benefit Of Georgia, 2,7i3,S9o
acres OF land.
Iu the course of the late war, part of the
Greeks were excited to hostililes against the
United States Having been vanquished by the
valor and conduct Of General Jackson and his
troops, treaty was concluded, by which con
siderable cesslen OF lands Was made 10 Geor-
gia, &the integrity of all their remaining lands
was guaranteed 10 the Creeks BY a treaty con-
cluded in 1918, another cession was made Of
two large tracts of land; and, by treaty of
1921, yet another cession was made, by which
the Flint and the Caltahouchie became the
Eastern boundary Of the Greeks. BY The three
last mentioned cessions, ll,735,59o acres Of
land were acquired by Georgia, making, toge-
Their with those obtained, under the two first
cessions, an aggregate of l4,74S,690 acres, be
ing about two-lhirds of all the lands possessed
by the Creeks, in the State of Georgia, al The
date of the Convention Of 1902. AT the same
date, the Cherokees were in possession Of y
1884, 10 acres of land, within the chartered and
conventional limits of the Stale Of Georgia
Two treaties have been held by the U States
with the Cherokees, in pursuance OF the com
pact Of 1902, by which 995,3l0 acres OF land
have been acquired to Georgia.
In 1922, sum of $4,000 was appropriated,
to deiray the expense of holding farther ,rea-
ties with the Greeks and Cherotees, for the pur-
pose Of fulfilling the compact with Georgia;
and treaty having been concluded with the
Creeks the preceding year, it was deemed ex-
pedien', by the President, 10 make the next Ell
fort with the Cherokees This was according
ly done, by the appointment Of Messrs. d G.
Campbell and James Merriwelher, as Commits
sioners, on the part OF the United States
They repaired to the Cherokee country, in Oc-
tober, 1928, and, after strenuous efforts to pre-
vail on the Cherukees TO enter into treaty Of
cession, they received positive refusal. The
objections made by the Cnerokees appear TO
have arisen from exaggerated accounts of the
hardships endured by their countiymen, who
had emigra,ed beyond the Mississippi, from
their advancement in the arts Of civilized lie,
and the consequently increased value which they
set upon their lands.
1t appears tina, The Cherokees, in order to
tortify themselves in their resolution to with
hold all further cessions, sough, tc engage the
cooperation ir the same policy of their less ci-
vilzed neighbors, the Creeks Overtures, made
to the Cherokees by Mcintosh, who was allied
TO them by marriage, In orde: To persuade the
Cherokees 20 a cession, were rejec:ed, and COM
munlcalions were had by The Cherokees with
the Greeks, by way Of counteracting the infu-
ence of Mcintosh. In the Spring aud Autumn
following, The unsuccessful attempt 10 treat
with the Cherokees, Councils we're held in the
Greek nation, al which q law was passed, or, as
stated by the Chiefs IN Counoi 10 General