Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-09-01

| u nited States had come to this conclu-
sion, that all his illustrious predcc cssors
had held intercourse with us on princi-
pies which could not be sustained; that
they had made promises of vital impor-
tancc to us, which could not be fulfilled
promises made hundreds of times in al
most every conceivable manner,-oiten
in the form of solemn treaties, sometimes
in letters written by the chief magistrate
with his own hand, very often in letters
written by the secretary of war under his
direction, sometimes orally by the presi-
dent and the secretary to our chiefs, and
frequently and always, both orally and
in writing by the agent Of the United
States residing among us, whose most
important business it was, to see the
guaranty of the United States faithfully
executed.
Soon after the war of the revolution,
as we have learned from our fathers, the
Cherokces looked upon the promises of
the whites with great distrust and suspi-
cion; but the frank and magnanmous
conduct ofgcncral Washington did much
to allay these feelings. The perscve-
rance of successive presidents, and cspc-
cially Of Mr.. jefferson, in the same
course of policy, and in the constant as
surance that our country should remain
inviolate, except SO far as We voluntarily
ceded to it, nearly banishcd anxiety in
regard to cncroachmcnts from the whites.
To this result the aid which we received
from the United States in the attempts of
our people to become civilized, and the
kind efforts of benevolent societies, have
greatly contributed. Oflatc years, how
ever, much solicitudc was occasioncd a.
mong our people by the claims of Gcor-
gia. This solicitudc arose from an ap-
prehcnsion, that by extreme importantly,
threats, and other undue influence, tire u
ty would be made, which should cedc
the territory, and thus compel the inhab-
! itants to remove. But it never occurred
to us for moment, that without any new
treaty, without any assent of our rulers
and people, without even pretended
compact, and against our vehement and
unanimous protcstations, we should be
delivered over to the discretion of those,
who had declared by legislative act,
that they wanted the Cherokee lands and
would have them.
Finding that relief could not be OBJ
tanned from the chief magistrate, and not
doubling that our claim to protection vas
just, we made our application to cor
gress. During four long months our
delegation waited, at the doors of the
national Legislature of the United States,
and the people at home in the most pain
full suspense, to learn in what manner
our application would be answered.; and,
now that congress has adjourned, on the
very day before the date fixed by Geor-
gia for the extension of her oppressive
laws over the greater part Of our coun-
try, the distressing intelligence has been
received that we have received no an
I swcr at all; and no department of the
government has assured us, that we are
to receive the desired protection. But
Just at the close of the session, an act
was passed, by which an half a million
of dollars was appropriated towards CT
i fecting Il removal of Indians; and we
}, have great reason to fear that the inilu-
cncc of this act will be brought to bear
most injuriously upon us. The passage
of this act was certainly understood by
the representatives of Georgia as aban-
doning us to the oppressive and cruel
measures Of the state, and as sanctionng
the opinion that treaties with Indians dc
not restrain state Legislation. We arc in
formed by those, who are competent to
{ Judge, that the recent act does not admit
of such construction; but that the passage
Of it, under the actual circumstances ol
/, the controversy, will be considered as
sanctionng the pretensions of Georgia,
there is too much reason to fear.
i Thus have we realized, with heavy
hearts, that our supplication has not beer
heard; that the protection heretofore cx-
perienccd is now to be withheld; that the
guaranty, in consequence of which on
fathers laid aside their arms and ccdcd
the best portions of their country, mean:
nothing; and that we must either cmi'
crate to an unknown region and leave
! the pleasant land to which we have the
strongest attachment, or submit to the
3 Legislation of state, which has already
made our people outlaws, and enacted
that any Cherokee, who shall cndcavo
to prevent the selling olhis country ,shal
be imprisoned in the pcnitcntiary q
Georgia not less than four years. I,
our countrymcn, this has been melan
choly intelligence, and with the most bit
ter disappointment has ii been received
But in the midst ofour sorrows, VIC dc
= not forget our obligations to our friends
[ and bcnciactors. IL was with sensations
; of incxprcssblc joy, that we have learn
: cd, that the voice of thousands, in many