The Arkansas advocate., 1830-09-29

surance that our country should remain |invlolate, except so far as we soluntari- y ceded 1t. nearly banished anxiety in regard to encroachments from the whites. To this result the aid which we received from the United States il the attempts of our people to become civilized, and the kind efforts of benev- elent societies, have greatly eontribut- ed. Oi late years, however much soIi- eitude was eeeasiened among our psao- pie by the claims of Georgia. This ,;o- lieltude arose from an apprehension, that by extreme importantly, threats. and otheruadue einhuence, a treaty would he made, which should cede the territo- ry and thus compel the inhabitants 10 remove. Butit never occurred to us for q moment, that without any new treaty, without any assentof our rnlersand peo- pie. without even q pretended compact, and against our vehement and unani- nous protestation, we should be deliver ed over 10 the discretion of those, who had declared by a legislative act, that they wanted the Cherokee lands, and would have them.
 Finding that relief could not be ob- tained from the Chief Magistrate, and not doubting that our claim to protesta- ton was just, we made our application to Congress. During four long months our delegation waited at the doors of the National Legislature Of the United States, and the people at home, in tbe most painful suspense, to learn in what manner our application would be an- swered-and, now that Congress has adjourned, on the very day before the date fixed by Georgia for the ex- tension of her oppressive laws over the greater part of our country, the dis dressing intelligence has been received that we have received no answer at all. and no department of the Government has assurded Us, that we are to receive the desired protection. But just at inc close of the session, an act was passed. hy which half d million of dollars was appropriated towards affecting retno- val ot indians; and we haxe.great reason to.tcar that the influence of this act will be brought to bear most injuriol1siy up- on us. The passage of this act is eer- talnly understood by the representatives of Georgia as abandoning US to the op- pressivea and cruel measuresof the State, and as sanctioning the opinion that trea- ties with Indians do not restrain State Legislation. We are informed by those. who are competent 10 judge, that the recent act does not admit of such con- struction; but that the passage of 1t, un- der the actual circumstances Of the con troversy, will be considered as sanction ing the pretensions of Georgia, there is too much reason to fear.
 Thus have we realized with heavy hearts, that oursupplicationhas not been heard; that the protection heretofore experienced is now to be withheld; that the guaranty,in consequence of which our fathers laid aside ther arms and cc- ded the best portions of their country, means nothing; and that we must either emigrate to an unknown region and leave the pleasant lands to which we have the strongest attachments, or sub init to the legislation of a State, which has already made our people outlaws and enacted that any Cherokee, who shall endeayor to prevent the selling oi his country, shall be imprisoned in the Penitentiary of Georgia not less that four years. To our countrymen, this has been melancholy intelligence, and with the most bitter disappointment has it been received.
 But in the midst.of our sorrows, we do not forget our obligations 10 our friends and beneiactors.s It was with sensation of inexpFessible joy, that we have learned, that the voice of thou sands, in many parts of the United States, has been raised in our behalf, and numerous memorials offered in our favor, in both houses of Congress. To those numerous friends, who have thus sympathised with Us in our low estate, we tender our grateful acknowledge mcnts. In pleading our cause, they have pleaded the cause of the poor and defenceless throughout the world. Our special thanks are due, however to those honorable men, who so ably and elo- quently asserted our rights, in both branches of the national Legislature. Their efforts will be appreciated where ever the merits of this question shall be known; and we cannot but think, that they have secured for themselves