The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-08-31
WHOLE NO. 3O4S.
From the Cherokee Phoenir of July 90.
MR.. WORCESTER'S STATEMENT.
To the Editor.

n ""tt W lump Glth1eT, Jut1 III, 1881.
: Dear Slr,-Transactions of public ma
I ture may be publicly stated. IF YOU esteem
e the facts contained in this communication
. as worthy of publication, it is at your dis
. posal.
. You already know that was arrested
: last Thursday evening by a small detach-
ment OF the Georgia Guard, under command
OF Sergeant Brooks. He inquired the state
OF my family, and, when informed that Mrs.
worcester was still confined to her bed.
expressed regret that Col. Nelson was not
present, to whom, he said, he was under
orders to bring me, at Mr.. Hicks, ten miles
distant. When | solicited the privilege of
remaining with my family till morning, he
complied, leaving two men to guard me.
Through their kindness | was exempted
from close watch during the night as
slept in my own room below, and my guard
in another above stairs.
In the morning we joined Mr. Brooks at
Mr.. Tarvins's and rode to Mr.. Hicks where
Col. Nelson, with others of the guard, was
waiting our arrival. | requested Sergeant
Brooks to mention to Col. Nelson the state
of my family, which he promised to do
Whether he fulfilled his promise l do not
know, but am certain he had not spoken
to Col. Nelson, when Mr.. Thompson inquir-
ed of him whether was gong on to Head
Quarters, and he answered, Yes. Perceiv-
ing that the matter was decided, said no
more. After eating, was ordered behind
the baggage wagon. Thus far had re-
celved none but kind treatment, nor heard
an improper word from either of the guard,
except that Mr.. Brooks INDUCED his propen-
slty to profaneness. We had proceeded
from Mr.. Hicks about three miles, when
we met the Rev. Mr.. Mcleod, superintend-
ant OF the Methodist mission, and Rev. Mr..
Wells, teacher Of the School at Chattoogy.
AT the request of Mr.. Trott, and by permits
sion OF Col. Nelson, they rode on some dis
lance In our company. In the course of the
Trott, whether he had been chained the
preceding night. Mr.. Trott answered
Yes. Mr.. Mcleod then asked if it was ae-
cordlng to law to chain prisoner who man
tested no disposition to escape. Mr.. Trott
replied that he thought not but said that
he supposed we ought not to blame those in
whose care we were for such treatment. as
they had ORDERS and were obliged to follow
them. 10 this Mr.. Mcleod replied. alt
seems they proceed more by orders than
by law" At this expression some of the
guard took offence, and one of them re-
preached Mr.. Mcleod for it, who, in reply.
asserted the right of freedom of speech, pro-
. iaru nc sstltI notnIne aaaiss, ana adaou II
have said any thing wrong, am in your
power, you can arrest me-" Several of the
guard REPLIED and few words more had
passed on each side, when Col. Nelson rodo
up to inquire what was going on. Being
told OF the expression which had given Of
fence, he asked Mr.. Mcleod where he re-
sided. He replied, In Tennessee" The
N,tth
" flank off" Mr. Mcleod, turning his
horse, said, 81 will If it is yenr command .,
but added hastily, as he afterwards said,
" You shall hear from me again." He was
then riding away, when the Col. ordered
him TO dismount and lead his horse along
after the guard, which he did. The Colo
mel then inquired of Mr.. Trott if he was
= one of their circuit .iders," and, on being
answered in the affirmative, had his horse
taken from him, and ordered forward with
us. A tremendous torrent of curses was
now pouring upon us, chiefly from the mouth
OF Sergeant Brooks. Others of the guard
indeed joined him, in too great a degree, but
the proaneness and obscenity OF Brooks's
language could not be exceeded bv apy
thing which the most depraved and polluted
imagination could conceive. Not only the
person who had given the offence, nor only
the prisoners, but all missionaries, all min
isters of the Gospel, and religion itself, were
the subjects of his railing. We were hap
py in taking to ourselves the consultations
afforded by the words which he tauntingly
repeated "Fear not, little flock, for it is
Your Fathers good pleasure to give you the
kingdom" For short distance Mr.. McLe-
oil was compelled to keep the centre of the
road, through mire and through water but
afterwards, with the rest of US allowed
more liberty.
Another circumstance occurred during the
day, not within my observation, but which
learned from Rev. Mr.. Thompson. have
mentioned that Rev. Mr.. Wells was in COM
pany with Mr.. Mcleod. When Mr.. McLe-
oil was arrested, Mr.. Wells took his horse
and was going away in an opposite direc-
ton from us, when he met Mr.. Thompson.
lie then'turned, intending to follow Mr..
Mcleod, and offer his service in any thing
which occasion might require, particularly
in case of his being released. After riding
a few miles they came up with the guard.
When Col. Nelson saw Mr.. Wells, follow.
ing, he ordered him, with threat, to ride
ont of his sight, either before or behind.
Mr.. Wells made no reply, but fell back
little and followed on. Col. Nelson dis
and gave him single blow on the head.
Mr.. Wells then said that he had right to
travel the public road, and should do it.
Accordingly he persevered, and rode on
till he came to honse where he had been
requested by Mr. Mcleod, through Mr.,
I Thompson, to stop.
When we were within few miles of our
stopping place, Mr. Mcleod solicited from
Col Nelson the privilege of riding, on ac-
count of severe pains in his hips and knees;
but the Col. returned answer, that Proctor
thought he could not walk at first, but af-
terwards rot along very well.
! Near night we arrived at Maj Dawson's,
about % miles from Mr.. Hicks. When
about to lie down for the night, the prison.
ers were chained together by the ANGLE, two
and two.
1t may be proper here to state, that Mr..
| Trott had been arrested on Wednesday at
Two-runs, md taken to Dawson's on horse
back, thence marched to Hicks on Thurs
day, and back again on Friday. Procs