Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-09-14
DOYT4 SWTTe
THE INDIANS


'heres every prospect OF the conclusion OF treaty
win the Cbckassw Nation, dele CATION from which
mas been At Franklin since the goth ult. On Friday
evening last the President left them, having conlided
the negotiation aud of the tr.,ty to the
Scr-tsry OF War aud Gen. Conee. The President,
We understand will depart for Washington ,h. week
Before leaving Franklin, he was informed throush the
Agent. that his Chckaaw friends desired to see aud
bid him farewell previous TO hs departure Ia hall
an hour after. he met them at tho Masonic Hall.
where being surrounded by the Chief. mos, INF crest
ing Interview took place amidst a crowd of psrsons
who we're present to witness it,
The Pie.dent, with the Secretary Of War and
General Coffee having arrived took their position with
:" the centre oil square occupied by The Chiefs. HAv
ing shaken hands with him. one of them handed pa
per 10 MAJOR E,on. which they requested him to read
10 heir great Father:-It was a, follows:
FRANKLIN, Tenn Aug. 81, 1880.
10 our great Fothe, the President:
- our red children, the Chiefs and Ia al o. the
ohcsas'ws have hid under consideration the talk Of
our Father and also the talk delivered TO US BY the
commissioners. Major E,,on and Gen Coffee.
The snhjsc, submitted for liberation il 10 OF
great importance On the decision we this day max
and declare TO you and the world, spends our fate as
nation and as people.
Father, you say that you have travelled Ior way
10 Talk TO your red children. We have li-ened-and
your words have sunk deep mo our hearts. AS Won
are about to set ont for Washington Cy-beftre we
shake our Fathers hand, perhaps with many of us for
the last iime-we have requested thi. meeting, To
ei YOU mat after sl' ePing upon the talk you NJ,
and the tax delivered to us by our brothers. slor Ell
ION anu Cen Coffee. we are now ready to enter into
treaty based upon the principle. communicated to us
by Major Eaton and General Coffee.
Your friends and Brothers,
-, (Signed Soy
The President promptly rsplied;--he told them OF
the great pleasure aud satisfaction he had enjoyed liz
eng them. SJm- OF them had been long knoy-n to
him, and he assured them that their lony continued
r'ndshp had not been. and would be- interrupted
ne was about, he said separate from I'm to return
10 nIs pnohc duties at Washington. and might meet
mem no more; but hi. earnest hope was thai the Great
spirit above would take care Of bIes, and preserve
them He then rose and babe them an sHsc,ionats
IArswe. One OF the principal Chiefs rushed iorwarJ
ana graspng him with no hands, exclaimed, " God
mess you, my great Father," and overcome by his
feelings turned away-The President and Chic were
much affected, and the whole house manifested sem
SHE and lively emotion az ih- intere. ting interview
ana separation of this distinguished nan from our red
oro'hers-lt was indeed scene of ihs deepest inter
est 10 see these hony chies-untu,ored sons OF the
iorest-aoout to separate from - long known to
nom, and by them so much beloved; under eitcum-
stances too, which brought to their minds that they
we're about to leave the land Of their YOUTH where
the bones OF their fathers reposed The conflc inc
em'uons' brought upon them by their attachment to
nome, and recollection the other hand that I'M
der the laws OF the white man they could not he con-
.eneo ana hapiy were clearly visible, and did fail
10 INSPIRE generous sen.ibily in every bosom These
Incidents however, prove, that nothing of compul:ion
or even resembling it, has BEEN on this oc asion re-
sorted TO- The result has been voluntary determine
lion, by the Indians under existing crcum.tances to
remove because they find i, impossible 20 live undA
the laws OF the State which claims juri.dcion over
them. fR,nubL,on
TALK OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE u s.
1hr"mgh me Secretary NJ Vdr and General CoGee
to the ChickosnD Delegation, at Franklin, Tenn
on the 23d August 1890
FRIENDS AND BRorHERs:-Your Great Father is
r Jo'c-d once AGAIN TO meet and shake you by the
maud and TO have in his power to you OF his
continued friendship and good will He can chsr,h
none but the best feelings for his red children many
oil whom, during our late war, fought with him in de-
fence oil our country.
BY communication from YOUR elder bretbren and
neighhors the Chocaws, during the last winter your
Great Father learned that in consequence Of the lava
OF Mississippi being extended over them, they in
grey alarm; and at their own free will and without any
from him. they asked to leave their country
and retire across the Mississippi river The ireav sent
Y mem 10 him. was laid before the Senate of the Unit
ed STATES, and they refused TO approve it, Socitous 10
avoid every act, the tendency of which might he 10
deceive or impose upon his red children, he laid the
reaiy, which was presented to him. before The SAnate
WIN the protest which had been focw fded against
by the opposie party of the Choct.w nation that all
The circumstances might he fully known;-it was re. |
acted OF these things, their Confidential Agent, Ma. |
or hay was advised, and he was requested to make
hem known to the Choctaws Understanding from !
him that they desirous see and converse with
he'r Great Father. on this important subject he a.
geed in accordance with that desire meet them at
this place. With regret he now learns they have de-
clinpd heir engagement
BY an act of Congress II placed in hi. power to
extend Justice TO the Indiansto pay the expenses Of
their removable support them twelve months and
10 give them grant for lands which should endure as
ong az the grass grows water runs" A determine.
ION was taken Immediately 10 advise his red children
u The means which were thu, placed his disposal 10
'ender them happy and preserve them a. nations 1t
was Tor this, that he asked his Chicka.aw and oh.r
friends TO meet him here. You have come, and your
Great Father reoces TO fell YOU through his commits.
'ioners, the TRUTH and point you to course which can
not fai TO make You happy and prosperous peoule
Hear and deliberate well what he shall saw and
hnder the exercise o: your own and maiured
Judgment, determine what may appear to you beet 10
b done for the benefit of yourselves and your chill.
iren.
Brothers:-You have long dwet mon the coil Won
occupy and in early times before The white man kind
led h' fires TOO near TO yours and by settling around
narrowed down the limits Of the chase you were though
yet happy people. Now your white
brothers are around you. States have been erected
within your ancient limits which claim right 10 gov.
ern and controul your people they do their own cii
zens, and to make them answsrabe TO their civil and
criminal codes Your Crest Father has not the an.
thory to prevent THE state Of things and he now asks
II You are prepared and ready TO submit yourselves 10
the laws OF Mississippi, make surrender Of your an
Gent laws and customs, and peaceably and quietly live
under those of the white MANI
Brothers, listeD:-The laws 10 which Won must he
are not oppressive, for they are those 10
which your white brothers conform, and are happy
Under them, you will not be permitted to seek private
revenge, but in all cases where wrong NAV be done
you are, through Them 10 seek redress No taxes UPON
your property or yeueselges except such az ma be i'm
posed upon white brother will be ASSESSED asan, Won
The courts will be for the rsdres Of wrongs and
bad men will be made snswsrsble for whasver crime.
Or Inisdsmssnors may be committed By any OF your
people, or our own.
Brothers, tistsn:-To these laws ybers von a..
you must suhmii;-ihere is no prsventivs-no oihst
alternative. Your great Father cannot, nor can Con.
sreo, prevent it, The States only cas- what then,
Do you believe that you San live under these Iaws