Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-06-26

then? We all know But the Indian has 10 endure
one more thought. IL is the total impracticabty.
OF his ever participating in those refinements OF
the social state, which the necessary result Of
the white mans superiority over him in inteliec-
tual, moral and political advantages Ii there had
been any light left TO shine, although but dimly,
on his prospects, this would obscure Il, and shroud
his prospects in the deepest gloom. Wen, then,
this is the relation in which the red man stands to
his more cultivated white brother.
This however, is but one side Of the question.
There Is another: the action OF the white man up
on him. The first is the worm within, eating out
his vitals; the last the storm that prostrates the
shell which the worm may not have devoured.
This comes OF the same elements. The Indian is
seen to be degraded, and unfortunately for man. il
is too true that there is the disposition in his ma
ture, to exercise upon SUCH cruelty injustice, aud
revenge. Will any one suppose il possible, that
thus situated, the Indians can exist. Much less
rise into that high state, take station along
side OF our citizens? If they could. then would
they demonstrate themselves TO be more than ht:-
man.
assume it, then, that the Indians cannot be
saved and elevated in their condition, without q
change in existing relations. But TO return.
did certainly look 10 the period when the issue
between the states and their Indian population
would be tried. have for some time past seen
the elements forming, out Of which the question
would arise. supposed il highly probable the next
Congress would be applied to; and that it would
have been then decided. The Cherokees, I SUM-
posed, would bring il up. They have presented IT,
Il hiss been accelerated by the very efforts of some
OF their hes; informed, TO improve their own con-
dition, and that OF the people, in the constitution s.
laws they have framed and adopted .Souereipnf,
was here sought after, and the states it was TO be
expected, would meet the attempt at its exercise
Hence the State OF Georgia extends her laws over
them, as an intimaon Of where tho sovereign
power does lie. elf, as Georgia no doubt reasoned
ulese people are competent TO SELF. government
they can receive and act under our own laws"
The Indians alarmed at this act Of Georgia have
appealed to the President of the United States 10
interfere, and save them from the consequence of
the operation OF those laws. The appeal has been
promptly met and the matter decided. The Secre-
tary OF War, in the name OF the President tells
them, what they wish cannot be done-ihe gov.
eminent OF the U. States will not resist Georgia
IA this exercise OF her sovereignty The die, there
fore, is cast!
The grounds on which the question is met by
the Secretary, are the following:
These people, the Cherokee es were arrayed
against US, and in league with Great Britain in
the war OF the revolution.
2. With the fall of the British mower fe,t ,he;,
power, and with the extinguishmento of the British
rights were extinguished their rights
g. BY the treaty of peace with Great Britain.
sovereignty was acknowledged to be in the Uni.
t 3a,. o,a,es over all the territory over which the
British Crown had previously exercised IL; no re.
serva'ionis made in favor of those indians. vest
ing in them any attribute of sovereignty, but,
A.. he United States gave peace, three wears
rr.ei VIE Pdciucatioh win treat Britain, 10 the
Cherokees, and took them under the srofecfio,,
OF The Union and into favor. Limits were e,Io,
ted to them, within which Gas possessoyy occu
fdnfs) they we're permitted to live and hunt, and
q guarantee given.
D. Subsequently to the pacihcatiun. and be-
tween 1855 and 1891, those same indians wased
war upon our border population This was a trea-
~ oil peace and OF limits, and in this treaty the
Cherokees were again taken under the protection
oil the government of the Union, and their limits
however, and Of course, for the reasons which
have hastily glanced at.
D. Those limits embracing, in part certain mr.
uons oil the juristiictiona limits Of Georgia 4, be.
came necessary Tor an understanding to be had
between the United States and Georgia on the snb
lect, which resulted in a compact lin 1902 ! in
which the United States pledged to possess Geor-
sia OF her territory, as il could be done up
on peaceable and reasonable terms Thus it APP
pears that so far back 1902 il was fixed (as The
compact fully implies) that not the Indians hut
Georgia, held the right OF sovereignty, and the
indians retained the soil, only, as poSSessoyu occu
pants.
Under these several heads the Secretary o. War
has with great force and clearness and in a soir,
oil irankness surpassed only by lis kindness, de.
rlonstraed the true state OF the question Tie tells
the Cherokees that whilst the general government
can never oppose Georgia in the exercise of her
right oil sovereignty, it will protect them in the full
enjoyment OF all their possessory rights
lie then presents 10 them two alternatyes-one
is to under the laws OF the state the other n
emigrate, and advises them to adopt the latter He
then adverts to the power of the general govern.
ment, to establish them upon different basis ON
lands west OF our states and territories west of
the Mississippi, and expresses readiness on thu
part OF the general Government TO protect them.
and invest them with such rights md privileges
as tDiH preserve and elevate them as peopIe.
Now, this is precisely the end at which every
friend to the Indians should aim. 1t is worse tan
useless to take other ground. It is unkind nav
TO the Indians TO DO il. That thew can
not exist IN their present relations TO US, think
has been shewn; to fiatter them with the belief 10
the contrary would be fatal. The past proves it
and the present teens with admonition. Nothing
could be more Kind to these people than the franz
and hrm answer which has been given TO them.
Al requires however, TO make II eecual, that the
bodies oil citizens who have associated 10 meIorate
and reform the condition OF these people as also
all who really wish well to them should hearulv
cooperate in convincing them of the destrovin1
enects oil Their existing relations, and of their ne,
cessary and final and fatal issue and of the vast
benefits which would flow 10 them from n chance
glanced rapidly, in previous part Of this let.
ter, at the elements Of those causes which are
working the destruction of those Indians who re-
slie within our states and organized territories
You may perhaps expect me 10 say someihinr IN
Oh The subject Of those preserving Influence.
which would operate 20 save them, were thew IN
withdraw from within their present limits; and also
OF plan OF operations for their advancement and
reformation and prosperity as people.
Three OF the four southern tribes who are mora
Immediately concerned in this question, 10 viii
the Choctaws, Cherokees, and Creeks. have
now, west and north OF Arkansas, and west of
Missouri, country, which on recent exami.
nation is represented TO be- in soil, climate, and
salubrty, unexceptionable. The Chickasaws and
the Choctaws being neighbors in their present
possessions, and the Chickasaws numbering onlv
about four thousand souls, would there is no do;bi
OF it, be received gladly by their Chocaw broth
ers' and The government would doubtless compen-
safe the latter for this accommodated RI
Greeks have already exnrnsseh thnir ,riiIi...N