Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-05-26
SUSPENDED ARTICLES.
To the Editors Of the JaGlledgesins Journal.


States on the subject of our Indian relations. I
stated to him that Georgia had looked with great
anxiety to the political change which had placed
him in the federal Executive chair, with a conf
dent hope, and expectation, that she would at last,
though late, have justice extended to her, and that
was anxious TO have it IN my power TO inform
the people OF Georgia on my arrival at home, of
the course which would be pursued by him in re.
ference TO the subject He promptly, and with
apparent pleasure complied with my request. He
read to me talk which he had then recently adj
dressed to the Creek Indians, urging them to en-
grate west oil the Mississippi, by arguments drawn
from the mpracticability OF their remaining sep
arate people, within the limits of sovereign State,
and proper view Of their best interests in refer
ence to their future welfare. stated TO the Presi-
dent that Georgia was more Immediately and deep
ly interested in the course of policy which might
be adopted relative to the Cherokee Indians with
in her limits that had understood delegation
from the latter tribe were then at the seat OF gov
eminent, and that as far as it would comport with
the public service, was anxious to know the OBJ
ject of their visit, and what course Of measures
the administration would adopt towards the Chero
KEGS with view to the compliance on the part of
the United States, with their promise made to
Georgia in the agreement of 1902. The President
| replied that nothing should be withheld from me.
He told me that the Cherokee delegation had cali
ed on him, when he said to them that the United
States had entered into contract with the State
of Georgia. by which they solemnly promised to
extinguish for her the Indian title, TO all ter
ritory within her limits, of which promise they
Che lndans had been long since appraised; that the
| claims Of Georgia under that contract, had been
too long postponed; that irritated by delay anu
| frequent disappointment, she would make an effort
70 force justice that she possessed right to ex-
tend her municipal jurisdc tion over them, and TO
subject them 10 the control of such rules of action
| as she might think proper to prescribe To them,
provided the same should not be viOlative Of the
| constitution OF the United States, and that the
General Government could not constitutionally
protect them against her exercise OF that right :;
that Georgia was irritated by their recent attempt
to adopt constitution and erect separate gov
eminent within her limits, and which they could
not be permitted to do; that he would repeat what
he told them in 1877, that they might emgrste TO
the country west OF the Mississippi River; that
regard for their best interests, justice to Georgia.
and every other proper consideration required il
and that il was for them 10 make their election to
go west ofthe Mississippi, and possess land which
they and their children should not only possess
forever, but have the friendly and protecting arm
Of the United States Government thrown around
them, or abide the consequences of such rules Of
action as Georgia might prescribe for their gov
eminent. To all of which the Indians replied,
that submission to the Georgia Government
would degrade them, ina.much even their COM
potency as witnesses would not be admitted in
courts OF justice; that he replied to them, that
Georgia had the right to do so. On this point the
President suggested to me, that it would be good
policy to admit their competency by Legislative
enactments, and guard against the evil which
might result from such admission, by questioning
their credibiliiy as Witnesses in judicial proceed
ings. He said he had no doubt Of their emigration,
and that such course would leave them xyithout
cause of complaint He expressed an anxious hope,
that the citizens of Georgia would irritate the
| Indians by any intrusions upon them, because the
| efforts OF the Government TO accomplish their re-
moval, would be thereby embarrassed. If 1 cor
reetly understood the President, and have pre-
/ served distinct recollection of his develope ment
to me, on this subject interesting to our State,
we may hail the near approach Of the period SO
long, ardenty and justly desired, when we shall
come to the full possession and enjoyment OF all
the territory within our limits
Respectfully your obedient servant,
| WILEY THOMPSON.
We are grai6ed to learn from the most unques.
tionable authority that there is a good prospect Of
soon obtaining possession OF the Cherokee lands
| In conversation with one Of our members Of Con-
gress, the President recognized, in its full extent
the doctrine contended for by Georgia, that the
Cherokees cannot be suffered TO erect govern
ment for themselves within the bounds of soye-
reign State-that Georgia has perfect right to
extend her municipal laws over them-and that
there remains for them but the alternative Of re-
moving West of the Mississippi, or submitting to
the laws Of Georgia.
This is the ground we expected the President
| to take. Let him persevere in it-apd one great
cause OF dissatisfaction in the General Govern
ment will be removed, as far as concerns Georgia
We learn further from gentlemen of this State
| who has receatly been among the Cherokees that
the spirit of emigration is becoming popular with
that tribe. considerable number have sold their
Improvements to the United States, for which thew
| are paid literally, and have enrolled themselves
| for removal to the country allotted them beyond
the MISSISSIPPI. is supposed that not less than
thousand will emigrate in the course of the pre-
/ sent year.
member Of Congress from Alabama, whom
| we met with day or two ago on his way home
| from Washington, informed us, that the statement
published by us last week from the Montgomery pa-
per, Of the Greek Agents having been dir sctedo re-
move his Agency TO the country appropriated TO
the efnigraiiDg Indians West of the Mississippi is
not entirely correct The Agency is not to be re-
moved immediately-but the Agent has instruc-
tons from the President TO all his exertions TO
procure the removal of the Indians as soon as pos
| sible, and to let them understand distinctly, that
| such as choose TO remain must be subject 10 the
laws of Alabama. Our informant conversed with
both President and Creek Agent on the subject.
We have no doubt similar instructions have. or
VIII be, given, TO the Agent for the Cherokees.
.hiUedgeriHe Recorder.
CHEROKEE INDIANS.
Georgia has had so often to complain; she has
been so long neglected; and justice has been so
often dematsed, and "a often withheld; that the
prospect OF her complaints being taken into seri.
Gus consideration, and fjustice being rendered to
| her, naturally excies, not wonder, but surprise
and pleasure, that the General Government should
al last believe il expedient to hesrken 10 the die
tates Of justice and to POSTPONE longer the full
| bment OF the solemn obligations of the govern |
nent OF the United States, TO the State Of Georgia
| We must confess that this surprise would have
! Deen greater, bad not Gen. Jackson been pfes;
dent. We depended much, and yet depend more |
on ms mpatilsIny, energy and decision. We have
not been disappointed. The letter Of Cene,sI |
thompson, published IT, this days paper, gives us
Information, which is gratifying to our feelings. az
members OF the American Confederation for IA