Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-06-16
Prom be- Cherokee Phenir.
RUNNIre Waters, May II, Il

waited on the President soon after the dcci
sion Of the Supreme Court, and tcished TO
kylov If he oas angry 10Th them. He repi-
ed, no-he was sorry for them-that they
had been deluded by their friends--the Del
sgation then asked the President if the Cher
ekees should be disposed to treat, on what
terms would the President meet them. The
President informed them that be was willing
to treat on the same terms as with the Choc-
taws, and no other.
You have quoted this from the "Savannah
Georgian" who obtained ii from the "Rural
Cabinet and he from ga gentleman recent
ly from Washington" This scrap, unsup-
ported as il is by responsible name, de-
serves not my notice, and should 60 uncon-
tradicted for Georgia neps, whatit was worth
in that State. But as my fellow citizens, who
are deservedly jealous Of their rights, may
attach some consequence to them, beg per-
mission to say to them, that the statement in
regard to the conversation about treaty
and the basis Of it, is destitute Of foundation
Aware Of the duty we owed to the dignity of
the Cherokee nation and our own individual
reputation, the language used by us in the
conversation we had with the President at
ourparting was not OF acharacter from which
the President could dedace differences Of de-
spending humiliation in the minds Of the Del
egation---we felt none and therefore could
not exhibit any-sooner than ask the Pres-
dent If he toas angry ,oitk me, ,ooud cut my
tongue oM Of my mouth; | could not, unless
The independence of pay mind had been meta
nsorphosed TO the minds Of his palace slarss.
The President did talk earnestly, with an
uplified hand, Of his friendship to the Cher
okees and his disposition to do them good
and also mentioned that he had just read in
the Richmond Enquirer, that the Choctaw
and Chickasaw exploring parties had return
ed and we're well satisfied with the new coun-
try--he had recommended the Chickasaws
TO look at it for taemselves, because he knew
Il was good country. asked him to what
extent the United States traders were allow
ed traffic among the Choctaws and Chicka
saws Ia that country, and whether the num-
her was to be limited at the discretion Ct the
United States, or the will Of those trisesp He
observed their number would be reduced at
their option. 81 am glad to see YOU" said
the President, "particularly at this time.
knew, or thought knew, that your claims
before the Supreme Court could not be sup
ported. The Court has sustained mr. views
10 regard to your nation" This converse
tion was on the next morning after the deci
sion Of the Court, and as we had the only
copy, kindly furnished US by MIR. Peters.
from the original, extant, we were somewhat
surprised to hear him say, that he had been
sustained by the Court, and as the opinion,
rs we understoodit, acknowledged our rights,
and were in opposition to his politics. How
ever he went on;,"I blame you for suffering
your lawyers TO fleece you; they want your
money, and will make you promises even at
ter this, perhaps, that this can make yousafe
] have been lawyer myself long enough to
know how lawyers will talk to obtain the
clients money" The delegation here OBJ
served in reply, cas- stateman and a warri-
or, we do not believe you would blame the
Cherokees for the efforts they have made to
maintain their rights for liberty before the
proper tribunals, and if they have expended
money in the support Of their national rights,
II was agreeable to their own inclinaton.l|
"Oh no." he answered, "don't mistake noe,
do not blame you; but blame you for suf-
fsring the lawyers to fleece you, am the
friend Of the Cherokees, they fought with
me IN the war and freely shed their blood with
The blood of my soldiers in defending the u
nted States, and how could | be otherwise
than their friend" Something was now here
said, on the part Of the Delegation, of their
abstract rights of justice, and that the con-
stitution of the United States and the States
were made without the agreement of the
Cherokees, with design to say something on
the'denial of the Court to grant an injunction,
but the President here commenced to talk of
the British treaty of 1888, and then continu-
ed to contrast the condition of the Catawbas
10 what they were, when he was young
man then they were warlike and fought the
Cherokees-"At one time they took some of
the Cherokee warriors prisoners, threw them
in the fire, &c. and when their intestines were
barbicued, ate them-now they were poor
and miserable, and reduced in numbers, and
such will be the condition Of the Chsrokees,
If they remain surrounded by the white peo-
pie" Mr.. Wild, M c. from Georgia, was
announced, ana admitted, and the delegation
not desiring TO be present in the drawing
room Of the President with Georgian, now
rose to depart, and ted him they had mere
~ come in TO pay the President their parting
respects, and then took him by the hand
Mr.. Taylor was the last who shook hands
with him. Mr. Wild then being in the room,
Gen Jackson held his hand some time and
shook it, and told him to tell the Cherokees
at bis return what he said--that he was their
friend-"You can live on your landsin Geor-
gia If you choose, but cannot interfere with
the laws OF that state to protect you"
am, dear cousin, yours respectfully,
JOHN RIDGE.
Louisville, Ny Is
IRv fhe arrival ne the stea mhoat the Rel !