Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-07-25

considered 10 be due not only to he public bu
to myself and 10 the memory uf Governor Shell
by In this state OF the case, do not feel IN!
self al liberty to resis, tie application.
Under any ordinary circumstances oould
not have expected 10 encounter the insinuaiior
contained IN he suggestion OF this CORES pond
ent of the "Focus" but the present is period o.
extraordinary excitement in the pablo mind
and exhibits numerous instances OF i!libera
tire atment extended to those who may have con
,ribu,ed, by the display of facts arguments
10 dis3rl the prejudice existing in relation e
General Jackson's qualifications for civil Office
Anticipating, then, from the ,indlciise course
here,otnrs pursued by some OF the friends OF
the General towards hose who have mad- any
devrlopemenrs pr judicial 20 his character that
they might attempt t" question the authenticity
Of the opinions Of Governor Shelby In relation
10 him. or the facts on which those opinions
were founded, deemed it an act Of prudent
caution 10 request statement in detail on the
subject from hi, son, /. II Shelby, who was
present a, the Trratv. IN extract Of his an
swer is hereto annexed which not only confirms
the authenticity o. the opinions entertained and
expressed by Governor shelby OF Gen jack
son CONTAINED in my statement TO Mr.. Clay
but establishes abnnGan'v and beyond the reach
OF contradiction the circumstances on which
those opinions were predicated, circumstances
which exhibited General Jar ksnn on That occa-
sion IN he TWO fold Attltui= OF endeavoring 10
eff Ct an Intrigue wi h she miserable remnant
Of the Chicka,aw Tribe IT Indians Tor the be-
neh, Of his personal friends; and Of attempting
also, to play the parl for which, General A6air
said in 1917, "Naiure had designed HIM, that
of the Town or Tavern Bully" towards the
venerable Shelby, whose fame is the ri inncri-
lance Of the Stale, and whose Judgment was as
oracuIar as his integrity and patriotism were
unques,ioned with all parties throughout The
Republic 10 which he devoted long life OF
usefulness and Of glory!
By the terms Of the Treaty negotiated in o.
tober, 1918, with the Chlckasaws, a reservation
of some valuable land, including the Big Spring
near TO Colbtrl's ferry on the Tennessee River,
was made in favor of George and Levi Colbert,
two Of the principal Chiefs, and on the very day
Of signing the Treaty those Chiefs conveyed
The reservation 10 James Jackson for twenty 'hou'
sand dollars. 3ur Governor Shelby having re-
fused 10 concur in any arrangement which per>
milted the Indians TO sell to private individuals
unless upon ;he condition and with the under
standing had with the individuals who had
made contract with the Indians for The pro-
posed reservation, that the Government should
have the pre,emptive right al the price stIpu'
lated, and The government having accepted this
condition, James Jackson was required TO as
sign over 10 the United States he benefit of the
arrangement which it was the purpose OF the
intrigue at the Treaty ground 10 effect. The
reservation TO cerlaih Indian Chiefs who, as
General Jackson had previously mentioned to
Governor Shelby, "would have 10 be bought
overs" the understanding, that the Government
should have the pre>emDtlye right on com2lI-
ance with the terms Of their contract, which
stipulation the ,jrmness and diSinteyesfed pnff'ot-
ism of Governor Shelby required Of The friends
of the General who were on the ground, and
had mes oca,cd private oniract with the C'isfs
predIcated on the proposed reservations; toge>
Their with description of The reservation itself
and lis value, were all communicated by Gov.
Shelby to the President through gentleman
of Was hington City, who was in the confidence
of the Government and was present at the Treas
ty. In conformity with this understanding,
mes Jackson, Of ID 4vdson county, l ennessee,
on the 5th day Of May, 1919, conveyed these
reservations TO the United States for the sum
Of twenty thousand dollars, the precise consids-
ration which he had given TO The Colberls.
have before me certified copies of The deeds
from the Colberts to Jackson Of l9lh October,
1918, and from him to the United States of
May 18th, 1919, both OF them proved on The
24h July, 1919, and of record in LauderdaIe
county, Alabama. They shrw that the Govern
men, did accept The stipulation in their behalf,
and hat but or their acceptance, the reserva-
ton would have enured TO the benz fl Of frsnd
of General JAG son, this same James Jackson
who was interested IN the Land Speculalions
Of The General in Tennessee lately developtt
by Mr.. Darby and Dr. Armstrong, who ~as
associated with Mr. Senaor Eaton and other
in certain large specuations in Florida not long
before the General invaded and conquered that
province Of Foreign power, contrary both 10
the Constitution Of the United States and th'
express orders Of the President.
Governor Shelby often mentioned 10 me his
belief that the conduct and views Of General
Jackson at the Treaty had caused them TO give
double the sum that more prudent cours'
would have rendered necessary in procuring d
Of the Indian tile, and he con.
sidered him to be so resolulely determined to
effec The pure base. that he would not have halt
ed short Of five hundred thousand dollars TO
at, ain that object He said one day yeiy en-