Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-03-15

George Guess thought he could lie shut h''n'e'i
up to study; his corn was LETT to the weeds, anu
he was pronounced crazy man, by the tribe
His wife thought so too, and burnt up his manu-
scr,nts whenever she could find them; but he
nerseyered. He first attempted to form cha
racter for every word in the Cherokee language,
but was forced to abandon it. He then set about
discovering the number of sounds 10 the language,
which he found was sc, and for each of these he
adopted character. which forms the alphabet.
and these character combined, like letters, form
words. Having accomplished this. he called to-
setheI six of his neghbOrs, and SAID, now can
make book. They did not believe him. 10
convince them, he asked them each to make
speech, which he wrote down as they spoke, and
then read to them, SO that each knew his own
speech, and they then acknow lodged he could
make book, and from this invention OF this great
man, the Cherukecs have become reading peo-
pie. =,
He referred to the treaties formed between the
United States and the CherOkees. and particular
ly to the opinion of Jefferson On that SUBJECT
His honored father was one OF the headmen VINO
went to Washington, and at that time the govern
ment Of the Cherokees was marked out oy Jet-
fersou himself. He read from the Cherokee
Phoenix, letter of Jefferson to them, recon-
mending them to establish council alter the
manner of the U. S. Congress, and to adopt
code of laws.-referring them to Mr. Meigs. the
u. S. Agent, for ali the Information they might
want relative to the laws of the U. States, to as
sist them in framing their own laws. The speak
err SAID that when his father returned from that
mission to Washington, he was boz and he told
him that he had made lasting peace with the
u. States. and that he muSt respect and love them
He told him that he must 60 and learn to read
the book Of the white man; that when the white
people came to visit hls father, he might interpret
to them. and grow up to be an honor to his nation
and a great man He was eight years old when
he went to the school of missionaries, and II seem
ed to his little heart, that there were obstacles
higher than the mountains between him and the
knowledge Of the white man. But he persever-
ed in the pursuit of knowledge, aud he hoped he
had succeeded so far, as to be able to interpret
for his people, and TO fulfil the desires fur which
he intended him. Much applause.
He was unwilling to disturb the great satisfac
ton which he saw prevailing over this generous
audience at the good news they had just heard
from Washington. that the Supreme Court had
declared that the Cherokees were right and Geor-
va wrong, but he felt bound to mention some "f
the policy that Georgia had pursued toward the
Cherukees. When the nation was savage and
barbarous, and their tomahawks struck at the
heads of Georgia, there were no pretenslons set
up that they were ntruders upon her soil. But
when tney laid aside the weapons OF the chase
and the war club, and took up the arts of peace.
then Georgia discovered this greater bnsbear ct
an imperium in inalerio, government within
government. and began her measures to drive
them from their lands. She said the misslona
ies are putting lights into the heads "f these In
dams. and they NAV become too wise tor us. We
must drive them bevund the big river IT the west.
and take their lands 10 make a Lottery tor Geor-
yiaus to draw for. They went to that good man.
James Monroe, and he told them h. could not
drive the Indians from their possessions. They
were under the protection ot the faith OF the Y.
States President Adams also protected them.
and drove the Georgia intruders from their SOIL.
The chain of their treaties with the U. States
was kept bright and unhroken. But when the
tu,Iians, harrassed by Georgia, went to President
Jackson for protection. he told them that he could
no, protec, them; that Georgia was strong, and
they mus, submit to her laws. Or go beyond the
big River of the West. For a loug time they
could not believe this. but they had been lett to
the mercies ot Georgia, and been made to feel
that it was true. They could not believe that 1t
the President could not protect them when they
were SO near him. he could project them when
they should 60 great way of into the western
wilds.
The Supreme Court. had now decided the MIS-
sionary case in favor of the rights of the Chero-
KEGS, but the Executive of the United States de-
clares that Georgia is in the right. Itremains to
be seen if the decision of the Court can be sus-
tanned. If it is, the clouds Of dependency. that
had so long hung over his people. would be dis
persed like the fogs before the rising sun.
The Cherokees, he said, stood upon their rights,
and upon the faith of long chain Of treaties with
the United States They were not DESTROYS ct
setting up government independent of the U.
States, if the u States would admit them. as CT
tzens. to participate in the benefits Of their gov
eminent. They were anxious to carry into. ef-
feet the benevolent designs of Washington. -
They were willing to become State OF the Uni.
on. He knew that many would look upon this
as presumption. but was it asking too mnch, Ell
Their, to be left to enjoy their own government.as
an independent people. or TO be admitted to the
rights Of other States in the Union. He referred
IN the recommendations of w ashngton in 1892,