Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-08-21

trOter oil Nations never fails to take cognizance OF
Aat,onai Gehnquencies. No sophistry can elude his
scrutiny; array of plausible arguments, of
smooth, but hollow professions, can bias his Judgments
and he has ut his disposal most abundant means or
executing his decisions. He has, in many FORMS aud
with awful soicmnity, declared his adherence OF OPP
preston every shape; and especially OF injustice
perpctra:cd against the weak by the strong, tohen
strength as In fact made The Oniy rule of action The
people OF the United States not altogether guilt
less regard to their treatment of the aborigInes OF
tins continent; but they as yet be charged
with any systematic legislation this subject, ncon
sstent with the planest principles of moral honesty
At least, anu not aware OF any proof Wy winch such
charge could DC sustained. Nor do l. III these pre-
lmlnay remarks, attempt characterize easures
now in contemplation. But is very clear, that our
Government and our people should he extremely eau
lous lest III judging between ourselves and the ln-
dians, and carrying our own Judgment into effect with
strong hand, we incur the displcasure OF the hos
High. Some very judcious and considerate men in
our country think that public missionaries should
stop where they are; that, i'll the first place, we
should huIble ourselves before God and the world,
that we have done much 10 destroy the Indians,
ana so little To save them; and that, before another
step Is taken, there should be the thorough de
Iteration on the part OF Ill our constituted autlor-
ties lest we act In such manner us TO expose our
selves to the judgments of Heaven.
would have omitted this topic if could suppose
that majority OF readers would regard its introduce
ton Giatter of course, afectation OF rhe
torical establishment. In my deliberate opinion, it
is more Important, and should be needed, than
all other considerations relating to the subject; and
the people of the United States will find it So if they
SHOULD uniappily think themselves above the obiga
ton TO 10 Justly, lore mercy and ,eakk hamtiy ,ot
their God.
close this intro ductory number, By stating what
seems TO be the present CONTROVERSY between the
whites and the Indian T'rilrs of the Southwestern
States say the ,phjtes hat is our country gen
orally because certain positions are taken by the
Government of the United States and certain claims
made by the State of Georgia, and certain other
Of y !Hb md
The Indians do not admit tine validity of any of these
positions or claims; and if they have perfect org
nal title TO the lands they occupy, which title they
have never forfeited nor nenated, their rights can
not be affected BIZ the Charters of Kings, by the
acts of provincial legislatures by the compacts
Of ncighbouring States, by the mandates Of the
Executive branch ofour National Government.
The simple question Is: ihure The indian Tribes re-
siding separate communities "a The neitJortood IF
the uoitcs. perm, tent tile TO tie territory, htch
Hey inherited from Meirtiters which they haze mel
hcr forfeited nor so'd, ard rhict teyno'o orcupyf
For the examination of this question, let the case
Of single tribe nation be consdered for nearly
the same principles are involved u the claims Of all
The Indians Nations.
The Chcsokees contend that their nation has been
IN possession or their present territory from time i'm
memorial; that neither the King OF Great Britain,
nor the early settlers of Georgia. The State of
Georgia after the Revolution, the United States
since tie adoption Of their Constitution have acqu
red any title 10 the soil, any sovereignty The
Territory, and that tile title the soil and sovereign
ty the Territory have been repeatedly gua,u,a-
teed 10 The Chei0hecs Mutton, by the y. States,
i'll treaties which binding both parties
1.-The Government of the United States alleges,
as appears by letter from the Secretary of War,
dated April 10, 1929, that Great Britain, previ-
Gus to the Revolution s'cinm,at entire sovereign
ty within the limits Of what constituted the thir-
teen U. States; that all the rights of sovereignty
which Great Britain had within said States be-
cause vested in said States respectively conse.
quence of the Declaration of independence, and the
Treaty of l733;" that the Cherokces were merely
'perInltted to reside their lanls by the United
States; that this permission is not to be construed
deny to Georgia the exercise of sovereignty;
and that the United Statet has no power to guaran,
tee any thing than right of possession, till
the State of Georgia should fit to legisate for
the Cherokces, and dispose Of them as she shond
judge eypedient, without any control from the Gen
eral Government"
This is summary OF the positions taken by the
Secretary of War; and, though not all ofthem ex-
pressed IN his language, they in strict ac-
cordance with the tenor Of his letter.
In my next number, | shall proceed to inquire
WA:G right Aase The Cherokees to the hllis soitich
they occupy
In the mean timc permit to the sigma
ture of that upright legislator and distinguished phi
anthropist, WILLIAM PENN.