Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-08-05
TUESDAY; .4ugust 5, 1928.

rather than not effect the purchase-but said he,
"Genera Jackson have not the least idea that we
snail md 1t necessary to give half that sum- Al
ter this conversation profound silence was observed
by General Jackson and the friends who accOmpan-
led him, On the subject of the Treaty in my fathers
presence AT length arrived at the Treaty ground
the Indians assembled. My father soon observed
great intercourse between the Generals friends and
the Indians, of which he smoke frequently TO me-
On one occasion, the General and part OF his SUIT
were absent from camp all night-the General with
held the motive of his nocturnal visit from his col
league by studied silence On the subject. DID un-
derstand by some means. that the General passed
the night with Colbert, of the principal Chiefs
| My father expressed to his suspicious that
"there was something not right going on" Before
any council had convened, the General informed
his colleague. ''that some OF the principal Chiefs
were violently opposed to selling land and that those
fellows would nave to be bought over" AT length
council was called Among other objections made
by the Indians to the selling Of their land, it was
urged by them .'tha the United States was largely
in arrears ~ them. and until old debts were paid,
they would not contract new ones" The Commits
sioners found it necessary to send to Nashville Tor
money to pay claims and thus remove the man di-
fculty. In abaut week the messenger to Nash
vile arrlves-he money is distributed agreeably to
the census of the nation taken dnring his absence.
A second council is convened. Gen. Jackson en-
qulres Of the Chiefs,
.'What do you ask us for this land ~
| Unexpectedly don't kuow-what will you
sives'
General J.-"We will give you Sl5o,ooo."
Interpreter--'.We cant taxi it,
General 1--WE will give you $500 0O0."
| lnterpreler-.NU, we cannot take ito
General 1--WE will give you $3.50. 000."
I'M Atnp- Sc No - m N m
General. NV father left the table and the council
broke up. The General observed to my father it
COW crsatlon that the chiefs contented for the priv
iiege OF selling large reservation Of land to WHOM
they mi ht think proper My father objected f
this proposition he said 'they might sell to til,
King of England" The General observed, s'tha
there was then company of gentlemen on thu
ground that would pay them down their price
$4,000" My father refused positively to perm
the Indians to sell land to private individuals. IL
contended that the government should have the or
ton Of taking the reservation at the price stipulated
and the General ami the Chiefs were in the end oil
lised to consent to it.
My father told the General that he had made tn
Indians offers that he could not sanction. VIII
Governor God damn it, did not you say that yo
would give $500 Oo0?" :. No sir gave you n
authorty to speak Tor me, | am here TO speak TO
myself" Why Governor, God damn my soul,
You ull not say so. - ulu not authorize you
make any such proposition" The parties SCENE
on the very point of coming to blows, when steI
ped between them, laying hand on EACH and er
treated them 70 talk the mat over more dispa
sionately. My father told me afterwards, that
was we'll for the old rascal that interfered, that h
would have knocked him twenty feet. Not a wol
passed between the commissioners until the nel
day. when The General broke out upon his cuileagt
in strain, if possible, more rough and bostero,
than before again slept between them and cal
ed on the friends Of the General to Interfere o
Major Smith stepped up and observed. ''Gentleme
am no dictator, but will be moderator" and v
kept them apart. My father toidt General .
should leave him and go home" $50 Governor
replied the General, g by God will make Il
treaty wnhou, yon."--W nile our horses sd
,lling, the friends of the General urged me to u
my influence with my father not to CO. He
length agreed to remain Another counse was ca
ed. Tie Indians demanded the 900 dolla
w and would treat for nothing less--fnally the trea
was made. My father thought that Gen. Jackso
% corruption and folly had cost the Government fir
-, ;" IOU, 900 to 200, 900 dollars. His mind underw
ter no change upon this subject to the day Of his dea
"a. ! have thus given you detail of facts, VIII
raI came under my observation, yon are at libe
,,,h to make what OF it you may think proper.
~" Your friend. THO. IL. SHELBY
,rm COL. y. .. GOD.
the