Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-12-23
ron THE SPECTATOR.


of Georgia, and the Missionaries now in the
Penitentiary of said State, have, herewith,
given what | believe substantially correct
and brief statement.
The American Board of Commissioners
for Foreign Missions, established Missions
in the Cherokee Nation of Indians, IN the
year 1917, with the consent and appreciation
not only of the Nation itself, but also of the
Government of the United States, who is
bound 10y treaty 10 afford protection 10 the
Cherokee Nation
This mission, il is believed, has done much
in iustructing these people, not only in
schooling many of their children, but also,
and instructing agriculture and
the mechanic arts, thereby civilizng, and
I may add, also, that much has been done to-
wards Outstanding many of these people.
This mission TOO, was supported, in part, by
the United States, for many years, and when
it was going on successfully, the State of
Georgia complained that the United States
were doing the very thing that they ought
not to do, that as the Z. States was bound
to the State of Georgia, TO eXtinguish the
Indian title within their limits, as soon as it
could be done by the free consent Of the
Cherokee Nation, that the more these peo-
pie were enlightened and civilized, the more
unlikely itwould become 10 get their consent
TO sell their country. The United States,
however, has not failed in making trial, but
the Cherokces still refuse TO sell. Some
years back the Cherokee Nation formed a
constitution and government of their own
and had newspaper printed at Now Echota,
their seat of Government, called the Chero-
kee Phoenix, edited by a Cherokee
Thus, while the Nation and Missionaries
were prospering in their objects, the State of
Georgia passed law or laws extending their
jurisdiction over the Cherokee Nation, so far
as IN the bounds of the chartered limits of
Georgia: Thus taking the sovereignty from
the Indians before they had sold, or given
their consent to be governed by The laws Of
Georgia. The law Of Georgia also made #
penal, by imprisonment four years in their
penltentiary, for any white man who resided
IN the bounds to neglect or refuse to take an
oath TO support the laws of Georgia therein.
1t appears from Governor Gilmor's mes
sage, that twelve persons were convicted of
illegal residence, Gas he terms it, and SEN
fenced TO confinement in the Penitcntiary,
Tor four years, at hard labor, and that they
all had been pardoned upon condition of their
not offending against the laws, except two"
These two are, the Rev. Sam'l. A. Worces-
ter and DR.. Ebenezer Butler, VINO refuse.
Now, as understand, the grounds of their
refusal are That the Board of Missions has
been al great expense and labor in erecting
many buildings or establishments with
Pattern farm at most Of the stations; also, the
assumption and tyranny ofthe State Of G. cor
gia, is very serious objection. But above
all, is their objection to the Indians being
driven or routed by such conduct from their
own country by which means, much of the
good which has been done will be lost.
Comment-Ifthe people or nation who are
in possession ola country have not the legal
and equitable right TO The country, | would
ask, who has? The United States have act
ed on that principle, and bought from time
to time, from the Cherokees and other Ma
tons, and had the boundaries defined by fix
ed lines, admitting that thus far, or as far as
bought, we may come in good faith, but no
farther And further, the L. States is bound
by treaty TO defend the Indians in their rights
and liberties. This was the doctrine of all
former Administrations. But a new idea has
sprung up, that government cannot bo
permitted in q government, ard that ema-
mating too from the present Chief Mags-
trale which shcws as il he was determined
to give all treaties on this point the COLBY,
and has thus encouraged the State Of Geor-
gia to usurp the sovereignty over the Cher
okee Nation. The Tea tax was buta drop
in the bucket compared TO this For, sure
", if the Cherokee Nation never sold or
transferred This part of their country, thew
still retain il and The Z States is bound in
good faith, toprotect them in their rights
But this country Of the CberoLoo, :, a..