Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-12-08
NO. XVIII.

! NOs "A v Ih1s
1t is well known, Messrs. Editors, that
a long series Of numbers, on a single SUBJ
ject, is not apt to be read /; especially if it
be of the nature of legal or diplomatick
discussion. On this account | have felt
many misgvings in calling upon the pub
lick to follow me from one stage to anoth-
er ofthe negotiations with the Cherokees
but have been advised that no part oil
the proceeding numbers could be omitted
without injury to the cause. If | were
arguing before the Supreme Court of the
United States, simple reference would
in many cases, be sufficient, where ! have
felt it necessary to make quotations. Ye,
think any candid lawyer will admit that
if he were pleading the cause Of the In,
dams before the highest tribunal in oul
country, he would be constrained, by faith.
fulness to his clients, to dwell much long.
er upon some topicks than | have done
Let it be remembered that the honest, fail
minded, intelligent members of the A.
merican community are to decide this
question !: or at least that they may de.
eide it Justly and properly, if they will
take the trouble to understand it, and will
distinctly and loudly express their opinion
upon it.
And here let me humbly intreat the
good People of the United States to take
this trouble upon themselves, and not to
think it an unreasonable task. Let each
intelligent reader consider hms elf jury
man in the case; and let him resolve to
bring in such verdict as he can hereaf.
ter regard with compacency. 1t is not a
single man who is on trial and who may
lose his life by the cafelessness of the ju.
ny. Sixty thousand men, women, and
children, in one part of the United States
are now in constant expectation of being
driven away from their country in such a
manner as they apprehend will result in
their present misery and speedy exterrni-
nation. Sixty thousand human beings, to
whom the faith of the United States has
been pledged in the solemn manner, to be
d,1uen away-and yet the People of the
United States unwilling to her their story,
or even to require silence till their story
can be heard
am encouraged, Messrs. Editors. to
proceed, by the assurance which has
reached me from different quarters. that
our community is not callous to every feel
ing OF Justice and honour, in relation to
the Indians that there is a greater dispo-
sition to inquire on this subject than on
any other now before the pnblick and
that even my numbers, deficient as they
are in vivacity, are extensively read with
that interest which the magnitude of the
cause, in all its bearings, may well excite.
A few remarks upon the treaties with
the Cherokees may not be useless.
1t is natural inquiry, Have there been
any attempts to treat with this nation
since the year 1919? There have been
many. And although the Statesmen Of
Georgia now think that the United States
have no power to make treaties with the
Indians, it is no more than one or two
years since they were urging Congress to
make appropriations for this object, and
pressing the Executive to procure the
Cherokee country by negotiation. In re-
gard to this matter they have been ex-
treme!y importunate. Mr.. Monroe was
teased by them during hw whole Presi-
dency. Their scruples, as to the extent
of the treaty-making power, are Of quite
recent origin and it is supposed that they
would not vehemently demonstrate if a
treaty should now be made, the terms OF
which should compel the Cherokees to
take up their residence under the shade
of the Rocky Mountains. The scruples