Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-05-04
gte Constitutional s1abtg.
SATURDAY MORNING., MAY 1. 1880.
THE CHOCTAW NATJON.

i Is
THE CHOCTAW NATION
Fhe remnant ofthisN nation seated in Mississippi,
has determined to conotm in PACING manner to the
destiny decreed against the Southern Indians and ha-
wing met in general council on the 18th March, have
actually decided by national suffrage to emgrate be-
You'd the Mississippi, and deputed an envoy to Wash
inston with their conditions.
Subscribing to the opinion, that sad as is the alter
native of abandoning their native country it is better
1or the Indians themselves, than to remain in the Ii
mts Of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, to be gra
dnally enclosed by the whites and by civilization tc
them, oppressive aggression fraud and inastice-it is
still impossible to contemplate the scene without pain
and commseration. The decree against them went
FORTH when Columbus, by the aid of Providence, first
set his foot American SOIL but the obvious necessity
ofthe result does not abate the harshness and severity
of the ful6lment. 1t is hard thing for individual
to quit his native country forever, though obeyng the
dictates of his preferences what must it be when
whole nation, yielding 10 stern necessity, COM
PEELED abandon their country to strangers and seek
precarous refuge in distant lands? These melancho
]y reflections though insufficient to arrest the course
of fate, ought to prevail with the Government to ex-
ecute the sentence with all possible clemency to tenn
per the severity of the sacrifice by every means of
Indulgence within its power, and to render to the In
dams in their and distant home, the most Jealous,
sacred and inviolable security. Accused ought to
be- and will be- the wretch who shall disturb them in
their last city of refuge.
The Natchez GALAXY of April 9th, has the following
alluson to this melancholy subject.
CHocrAw CouNcIL.-We have been permitted TO
make the following extract from letter to gentle
man in this city, from one of the Missionaries in the
Indian Nation. Whatever may be our views in re-
]ation the expediency Of the emigration of the In
dans the scene described in the letter alluded to
would move the soul of Stocism itself We can
only say that sincerely hope the utmost leniency
will be extended to them-that the execution ofth
recent acts of the Legislature in relation to them
will be suspended until the result of the mission to
the Federal Government shall have been ascertain
ed.
t'The National Council met on Monday the 18th
day of March past, to determine the future course
in this great crisis of their national existence.
On the evening of the first day of the Council (the
15th,) the Captains reelected Greenwood Leflore
Chief of the Western District, without dissenting
voice. He WIS then carried in triumph through
the Captains of the other districts, and large
sembly of warriors, his officers singing an hymn in
their native language; they then Frustrated them
selves before the Eternal, when their Chief elect
closed the solemn scene by an affecting prayer in be-
half of his nation
On the forenoon of the second day of the Council
1.-THE 16th the Chiefs of the other two districts
forward with their Captains and warriors; resigned
their several Offices, and unanimously elected Green
wood Lefore the Chief of the whole nation. Then
followed pleasant season of reJoicngs and the eX-
eroses of the forenoon closed by their Chief elect
in solemy prayer in which the whole assembly unit
ed as with the heart of one
In the afternoon the National Council was organ
lied, and the important object gifts call introduced
by the Chief
The Chief presented concise view of the diff
cutes of their situation, and the alternatives which
were before them, and the necessity Of immediate
choice. The address of the Chief was followed by
an aged warrior, who had fought under General
Jackson, and another from warrior still older, who
had fought under General Wayne. The discussion
continued to a late hour: when the vote, being ia
ken was found in favor of emigration.
On the 18th, articles of a treaty were prepared
and on that night signed by the Chef-the two late
Chiefs, the Captains and two three hundred prin-
cpal warriors
On the 18TH in the afternoon, the Council adjourn
cd, and the treaty despatched to Washington City
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 Choctav were
endeavoring to get ont Of her way.
The Chief expressed determination not to emf
CRATE with poor, pennyless, and ruined people.
Throughout the whole proceeding the spirit Of
brothery kindness and fervent pietv were evinced,
and the full faith that the Great Spirit would be
with them in their removal, and bless them in their
new home"