The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-03-07
From The Boston Traveller.
THE CHEROKEES.

The public meeting at the Federal-street
Church, on Wednesday evening, called tc
adopt measures for the relief of the Chero-
kee Indians, and to take into consideration
the nature of their relations to the State oil
Georgia, was composed of the intelligent
and philanthropc of both sexes, and the
house was crowded at an early hour. The
meeting was called to order by Rev. DR.
Bcecher; and was Organized by appointing
Hon. Samuel Hoar OF Concord, Chairman
and B. B. Thatcher, ESQ. of Boston, Secre
tary. Hon. A. II: Everett first addressed
the chair, and stated that after some pre-
llmInary remaks, he should offer such reso.
lutlons as, he doubted not, would meet the
views of the meeting, and promote the i'm
portant objects that had called it together.
He adverted to the early history of the
Cherokee naNon, and traced with consider
able mnuteness, its onward progress in civ
lllZatIon-lts intellectual and moral improve
ment, and its advancement in the agricul-
turai and mechanic arts. Thirty years ago
there was not a single plough in the nation :
twenty years ago, 500 had been introduced
into use, and only six years ago, 5000 were
IN active employment. Their rude wig
vans had been exchanged for dwellings
Resembling tAlOcG vi lie Wull6S---iheV now
raised their own cattle, hogs, sheep, &c.
manufactured the principal portion of their
clothing: and many families grew their
own cotton. Education had advanced with
rapid strides. Schools were established on
approved systems, and intelligence and pie
II had taken the plaza of ignorance and
superstition. A paper was published at
New Echota, the capital of the nation, un-
dor tho o,lif0rial &c D..
dinot, one of the delegates of this interest
ing people. now in this city; and its col
umns exhibited talent and industry that
would not fad in comparison with the hest
publications of the kind amongstsus. They
had now, said the speaker, entirely coaquer-
ed their old habits, and were on a level with
as; and he pronounced their present ele-
waited standing phenomenon in the moi al
world. THIS state of things had been
brought about, he said, by the philanthro-
pic eXertlsns of the various executives of
the United States from Washington to the
younger Adams, inclusive. The rights of
the Cherokees to the uninterrupted posses
sion of their lands, had been solemnly guar
aRteed TO them in sixteen successive treat
les; assurances had repeatedly been given
them of the abiding friendship and protec-
ton Of government; and they were told
again and again, that then lands were their
own and might remain so. unless they tCish-
ed to selt-and that their rights could never
be forfeited unless by their own misconduct.
A golden chain was sent by Jefferson. as
an emblem that the friendship of the United
States was enduring, and would ever re-
main pure and bright. The speaker then
reversed the pictures and gave an affecting
statement OF their expressions and sufferings
at the present time, growing out OF the cruel
policy of Georgia. Laws the ;nost arbitrary
and severe, had been imposed on them
their country had been invaded by the
States officeIs-and their persons had been
seized and subjected to the deepest degra-
dation. These laws had been imposed, and
these officers sent among them to crush
their noble spirits--to drive them to des-
pair, and finally TO force them to abandon
the home of their fathers. The speaker
hoped and believed that their prosecutors
would never be permitted to accomplish
their iniquitous designs. He concluded by
offering appropriate resolutions, as express
sive of the sense of the meeting.
Mr.. Elias Boudinot, the Cherokee above
alluded to, followed Mr. Everett. He gave
u iubih ohSSNh VI 'hO PipS 'CoS vi IIS ANullOIs
in the arts of civilization-read the treaties
made with them by Washington and Jeffer-
son, and gave several strong proofs of the
rapid march of refinement and industry, be-
tween the years 1910 and "a. Our limits
do not permit us to give his very interesting
remarks, which wero delivered with great
ability and clearness. He observed that
abe had felt the iron hand of power, having
had his own house surrounded by armed
soldiers, and that he had been dragged
forth by them like felon with their bayou
cts at his breast, and this too by the orders
Of their humane protectors" His observa-
tions we're listened to with much attention,
and received with great applause.
Mr.. John Ridge rose and stated "that
although much eloguence had been dis
played, and he feared the audience nigh,
be fatigued, still he would crave their in.
diligence few moments longer, for HIMSELF
who was n Chief of his nation, of nation
whose council 6res had blazed 80 long, that
we could not trace their origin; and that il
by accident they did 20 out, they could be
re.iighted only by the divine spark sent from
Heaven" He Observed that the State OF
Georgia elsines the rigt; Of jurisdiction