Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-11-18


CHEROKEE INDIANS.
There appears 10 the Cherokee Phoenix
the Message of the principal chief Of the
Cherokee nation submitted before the ma.
uonal committee and council, IN Joint
committee Of the whole" on the Nth alt.
The "Chief" considers this privilege Of
assembling in general council Of the nation
as one among he greatest blessings it has
derived from the Great Ruler of the uni
verse. 1t IS a right, he says, which the
nation mas always exercised as q distinct
people, and its prerogative so to act has
been recognized by the government Of the
United States,
Il was determined at the last session Of
the General Council to send a delegation
TO represent the grievances of the nation
10 the General Government It appears
f ON the documents submitted, that the late
administration did any the sub
lJects submitted by the delegation, but refer,
/ red them all % the consideration of the pre-.
sent administration At an early day a
protest was laid before the late President,
through the Secretary Of War, against the
proceedings OF Georgia, relative to the ex-
tension of her laws over the territory with
10 the Cherokee jurisdiction. The pres-
( dent did not, as was hoped, make this the
subject OF special message TO Congress;
and therefore, at late day, the delegation
presented a memorial and protest. When
on the eve Of leaving Washington it un.
| eZpectediy received from the Secretary of
Wlr the much talked of letter of the 18th
|of April last. Ii did not deem any reply
| necessary to the Secretary's arguments
/ for GeorgIa's extending herjursdjction O.
yer q portion Of the Cherokee territory
The extraordinary latitude Of consuuc-
.uo0,' SAYS the Message, given by the
i secretary, TO the sovereignty Of Georgia,
exhibits a glariug attempt OF innovation on
orr political rights, and is calculated to az
feet seriously our relationship with the gen
| eral government"
( The Chief declares that Georgia has
lately set up a claim unheard Of before, to
q large portion of the Cherokee lands, IN
der the absurd pretence that they were
purchased from the Greeks by the United
States BY the Indian Springs Treaty. lie
asserts that many Of the citizens Of Geor.
ola having previously intruded on these
lands, this unlounded claim was set up
with a view to delay in the removal Of the
Ilnruders, and that by a system Of fraud,
violence and oppression, the Cherokees
Imght be induced to abandon their front.
/ Ter improvements, and remove farther into
| the nation. It was hoped too that they
might be eventually compelled to cede
these lands TO the United States for the
benefit of Georgia. The removal Of intru
dsrs has been DELAYED to afford time for
ltfe Investigation of facts. In the mean
lime. saws the Message. the archives of
1.-The United States afford abundant docu-
|mentary evidence that this land is the soil
iof the Cherokees, and that the line be-
/ tvizt them and The Creeks IS definitely es-
|ablished. has been sanctioned by the UNI
led States, add acquiesced in by Georgia.
I The chef adds that the course Of the sec,
rotary of war IS ''strangs,' and the conse-
|qaeat delay viii produce serious evil 20 the
I Cherokees on the border.
/ The course adopted by the U. States
lin enrolling emjCrlnts tor Arkansas, is
likewise complained of. ut being conf
IDENTITY asserted that the emigrants are en-
coura ged by those employed IN the service
Iof The government and entrusted inthis bu-
siness. 10 make ezra disposition of their
improvements TO the citizens Of the Uni
he'd States, thereby adding another class
.or intruders TO annoy our own citizens on
their own soil The Message says that
1.-The crisis is fast approaching that Is to seal
the final destiny of the nation. They can
only look 10 the good faith and maguanim-
itv of the General Government. Our trea.
ties of relationship, " II asserts arc based
uoon the principles Of the federal consh-
t1non. and SO long as peace aud good faith
are maintained, no power, save that of the
Cherokee Nation and the United States
Jointly. can legally change them" lids
oooointed in the pledge of protection CIV
On bv the United States, there Is no more
security. 1t remarks, IN the barren praiFies
of ,hs west, than thesoiI now occupied by
the Nation. Bat .7mer.