The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-11-18

enough to throw off all the restraints of Justice
and honor, and disavow the most obvious prin
ciples of moral honesty, unless they had pre-
tended to be honest and just during period
of two hundred years
Oglethorpe, having found an interpreter, sum-
moned meeting of the Chiefs to hold Con- |
sress with him at Savannah, in order to obtain |
" their consent to the peaceable settlement OF
the colony" About fifty chiefs assembled. |
Oglethorpe represented to them /" the great
power, wisdom, and wealth of the English ma
ton, and the many advantages that would ac-
erue to the Indians in general, from a connex-
ion and friendship with them; and, as they had
plenty of lands, he hoped they could freely re-
sign share of them to his People, who were
come to settle among them for their benefit and
Instruction"
This is the first overture of the colonists to
the assembled Indians and it certainly does
not look muck like demanding the whole coun
try, IN the name Of the King of England 1t
seems much more like humble entreaty for
permission to remain, for the purpose of doing
rood to the natives. The consent of the lords
of the soil was obtained. and a treaty was made,
of which the following is an abstract:
TREATY OF SAVANNAH.
The preamble recites the authority of Ogle-
thorpe, and says that certain "articles friend
ship and commerce" were made between him
" and the chief men of the Nation of the lower
Creeks" viz
l. The colony engages to let traders carry
goods into the 'Creek nation for sale.
= The colony engages to make restitution to
the Creeks for any injury done 10 them by white
traders, and to punish the offenders according
TO English law.
g. If the Creeks should not treat the traders
well, the colony will withdraw the English trade.
A. The Creeks say, that they are glad the
English have come, and add these memorable
words: 90 Though this land belongs to as, (the
Lower Creeks0 yet we, that we may be in
structed by them (the English,) do consent aud
agree, that they shall make use of and possess,
all those lands achich nation hath not occa-
sion to aSe Provided always, that they, upon
settling every new town, shall set out for the
uSe Of ourselves, and the People of our nation,
such lands as shall be agreed upon between their
beloved men, and the head men of our nation !;
and that these lands shall remain to as foreUer."
5. The Creeks agree not to do injury to any
of the traders; but if any Indians should trans
gress this article, the nation will deliver them
up, TO be punished according to English law.
8. The Creeks agree TO apprehend and restore
runaway negroes.
z. The Creeks to give no encouragement to
white settlers from other European nations
A schedule of prices of articles, exchanged
for peltry, was also agreed upon.
ulS Icahl was ny lhS CoIpOidllOIl,
in the city of London, October 10, 1888.
So far as appears, Oglethorpe was entirely
fair and honest in this whole transaction The
Indians confded in all his statements, and both
parties doubtless supposed that the colony would
eonduce to the permanent advantage of the In
dams, and that they and the settlers would live
together in friendship, according to the import
of the preceding articles. The corporation,
in ratifying the treaty, declare that they are
Z Oraafv deeIFnua In ms invIoiabls
pence to the worlds end
II is TO be remembered, that all treaties with
the Indians were written by the English, and
that there is no probability that they made the
expressions stronger against themselves, than
they actually were Yet here is firm and de-
cided protestation of the Creeks, that the grants
which they made out Of friendship, should new
er be construed as an admission that they had
no original title. They also took care to pro-
w Sdi that n eR 1 USen eR4R ah9 he Rss
TO rely upon the right of the English King, here
was the time and place to have asserted it, and
to have obtained, if possible, the acknowledge
ment Of it from the Indians.
The principal speaker in this council was
Creek chief, called Tomochch. When Ogle
thorpe returned to England, in the Spring Of
1884, this chief was induced to accompany him
On being introduced to King George, he made
fourishing Speech in which, however, he does
not admit that the King of England is his liege
lord or sovereign. He gave the King some
eagles feathers, "as token of everlasting
peacej" and concluded by saying, " Whatever
words you shall say unto me, / will faithfully
tell them to all the Kings Of the Creek nation
This is all the allegiance he promised. King
George expressed his kind regards, gave thanks
for the eagles feathers, and concluded by say
ing, shall always be ready to cultivate
good correspondence betaoeen the Creeks ana
my subjects, and shall be glad on any occasion
TO show you marks of my particular friendship.
Here is no arrogant claim of sovereignty, or
the ground of the divine right of Kings, or any
other Fictitious title. Indeed, the King of Eng
land implicitly says, that the Greeks are not hi
subjects.
When the old chief Tomochichi died in 1880
he charged his People to remember the kind
ness of the King of England, and hoped theJ
would always be friendly TO bis subjects; thus
making the very distinction which the King
himself had made.
In the year 1896, Oglethorpe made treaty
with the Spanish Governor of st. Augustine, il
which The second article reads as follows Ii
respect to the nations of free Indians, called
Creeks, viii use my utmost amicable endeav.
ors, upon any reasonable satisfaction giver
them, 20 prevail with them to abstain from an,
hostilties whatsoever, with the subjects of biz
Catholic Majesty"
Here it is evident that Ogiethorpe saw, as nc
man in his circumstances could help seeing
that the Greeks were an Independent People
and that they must decide for themselves
whether they would go to war with the King
Of Spain, or not. He would advise them, how
ever, TO accept OF reasonable satisfaction.
WILLIAM Penn.