The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-09-02

and the Atlantic, the Cherokees now retain
less than 100000 acres, of a quality far
below the average quality of what they have
sold. Georgia claims 100000 acres of
this remnant, as falling within the map of
that State. Alabama claims nearly 1,000,-
600 of the residue. The portions which, in
the general division, will fall to Tennessee
and North Carolina, seem hardly worth en-
curing about; for, if the other portions are
given up, or taken by force, there will be
no motive for retaining these.
To every application made for their lands
within the last ten years, the Cherokees
have said, eve are not disposed to sell
any more. We have betaken ourselves to
an agricultural life. We are making pro-
gress in civilization. We are attached to
our schools and our Christian teachers, to
our farms, to our native rivers and noun
tains. We have not too much land for our
own comfort, and for affording us a fair
chance in the experiment we are making"
This language has been repeated in many
forms, and with every Indication of sinceri-
ty and earnestness.
The assertion of the Cherokees, that
their present country is not TOO large for a
fair experiment in the work of civilization,
is undoubtedly correct. The wisest men,
who have thought and written on this sub
Ject, agree in the opinion, that no tribe of
Indians can rise to real civilization, and to
the full enjoyment of christian society, I'M
less they can have a community of their
own; and can be so much separated from
the whites, as to form and cherish some
thing of National character. If the lin
its of the Cherokee country were much
smaller than they are, this would be i'm
practicable.
Thus stands the case; and it is now my
intention to inquire how the Government of
the United States has regarded the Indian
title, and how it has been regarded by the
several States in the vicinity of the Chero-
KEGS.
now proceed TO the examination of trea-
ties, between the United States and the
Cherokee nation. And here [ would ap-
prize the reader, that the case can never be
fairly and fully understood, without refer
ence to every material article in every trea-
ty which has been made between these
parties. Unless such reference is had, no
reader can be sure that he has view of
the whole ground; and caviler might OBJ
ject, that there had been omissions, in or
der to conceal a weak part of the case.
This a subject, 100, which the people of the
United States must have patience to inves-
tigate. When measures are in progress, !
which have bearing on the permanent
rights and interests of all the Indians, it !
must not be thought tedious to read an alb |
stract Of the solemn engagements, by which
we have boconao bound to one of these
aboriginal nations.
In the revolutionary contest, the Chero- !
KEGS took part with the King of Great Bril-
tain, under whose protection they then con-
sidered themselves, just as they now con-
slider themselves under the protection of the
United States. After the peace of 1888, it
does not appear that any definite arrange
ment was made with this tribe till the year
1885. In the course of that year, the old
Congress appointed four Commissioners
Plenipotentiary, men of distinction at the
south, to meet the head men and warriors
of the Cherokees, and negotiate a treaty of
peace.
The parties met at Hopewel!, now York
District, Is. c. J; and, on the 28th ofNovem-
Der, executed an instrument, which is usual
ly cited as the treaty of Hopewell. The alb
stract of this instrument, with some remarks
upon it, will be given in my next number.
WILLIAM PENN.