Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-05-01
RsrDtsrott0 Ee1ht0.
THE CHOCTAW NATyCN


~ THE CHOCTAW NATION.
The remnant Of this nation seated in N;ssss;,r;
mas determined TO conform in pacific mannor 70 the
destiny decreed against the Southern Indians and Ia.
ing met in general council on the 5th March have
actually decided by national suffrage to emprate be-
yohu the Mississippi, and dcputed envoy to Wash
ington with their conditions
subscribing to the opinion, that sad as is the uI,or
native OF abandoning their native country it is better
'o' tie INDIANS themselves, than to remain in the Ii
"''s OF Hcorgia, Alabama and Mississippi to be a,a
duaIIy enclosed BY the whites and by civilization tn
em' oppressive aggression fraud and inustice-itia
sun impossible to contemplate the scene without pain
ana commser"ton. The decree against them went
iorth when Columbus, by the did of Providence first
loot on American soil but the obvious necessitv
vi INC result does not abatc the harshncss and severity
OF the iuiiiiment 1t is hard thing for IN individual
10 quit his native Country forever, though obeynp the
dictates OF his own preference what must it be whom
Whoc nation, yielding TO stern necessity are COM
PoAeo TO abandon their country TO strangers and seek
precorous refuge IN distant ands' These meloncbo
reflections though insufficient to arrest the course
OF iate' ought TO prevail with the Government 10 ex
ecute the sentence with all possible clemency 10 tenn
per the severity OF the sacrifice, by every means Of
indulgence within It's power, and to render TO the In
dams IN their now and distant home the most iealous
sacred and inviolabe security. Accused ought 70
be- and will be, the wretch, who shall disturb them in
their last city of refuge.
The Natchcz GALAXY of April 9th. has the following
allusiOn to this melancholy subject.
CHocrAw CoUNCIL.--Wc have been permitted IN
make the following extract from letter TO gentle
man IN this city, from Of the Missionaries in tho
Indian Nation. Whatever may be our views in re-
ntlon to the cXpedency of the emigration of the In
dlans the scene described in the letter alluded 10
would move the soul of Stoicism itself We can
only say that we sincerely hope the utmost eniencv
VIII be extended to them-tbat the execution of tho
recent acts of the Legislature in relation to them
VIII be suspended until the result of the mission TO
The Federal Government shall have been ascertain
cd.
The National Council met on Monday the 18th
uay ol March past, TO determine the future course
IN this great crisis OF their national existence.
Cn The evening of the first day of the Council (the
l9'h the Captains reelected Greenwood Ledorc
IGet OF the Wes tern District without dissenting
the Captains of the other districts and laroe o.
seinbly OF warriors, his officers singing an hymn in
their native language; they then Frustrated them
selves before the Eternal, when their CHEF cleo,
closed the solemn by an affecting PRAYER in he
! half Of his nation.
On The forenoon of the second day of the Council
thc l6th the Chiefs of the other two districts came
forward with their Captains and warriors resigncd
theIr several Offices and unanimously elected Green
wood Letore the Chief of the whole nation Then
followed pleasant season of reIocings and the OK.
ercises OF the forenoon closed by their Chief elect
IN soIemy prayer, in which the whole assembly unit
cd as with the heart Of one man.
In the afternoon tho National Council WINS orqan
i|eu and the important object ofits call introduced
by the Chief.
Inc Chief presented concise view of the diff
cultics OF their SITUATION and the alternatives which
were before them, and the necessity of immediate
choice. The address Of the Chief was followed bv
an nscd warrior, who had fought under General
Jnckson and another from a warrior still older who
had fought under General Wayne. The discussion
continued to late hour when the vote, being ia
ken was found in favor Of emigration.
On the 18th, articles Of treaty were prepared.
ana on that night signed by the Chief-the two late
ChiGs, the Captains, and two three hundred prin
cipal warriors
On the 18th, in the afternoon the Council adjourn
Cd ana the treaty despatched TO Washington Citv
by David w. Haley.
The Chief directed all his Captains to execute
faithfully the laws Of the nation, not in opposition
to MISSISSIPPI but with belief that Mississippi would
not Interfere when she discovered the Choctap were
endeavorlng to get out Of her way.
! The Chief expressed determination not 10 emi
crate with poor, pennylcss, and ruined people.
! throughput the whole proceeding the spirit or
! brothcry Kindness and fervent pety were cvinced
and the full faith that the Great Spirit would be-
with them in their removal, and bless them in their
new home"