Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-11-15
From The Tu.c,loo.o Exno,io,1

From the Tuscaioosa Expo,i orl
JUDGE CoLLIER's notwithstanding that Judge
Collier had written letter TO Mr. Mards in answer TO
several interrogaores propounded to him. in relation
the treatment oil the Indians, and the condition the
settlers, we requested copy for publication Every
means of giving the President correct OH the
subject should be resorted early as possible; for we
Trust 1t not too late to induce him to change his
TUSCALOOSA, Oct. 9th, 1888.
DEAR SIR:-l returned a few days since from that
portion OF my Circuit embraced by the Creek nation and
proceed TO answer the inquiries you verbally made to
at Taladega.
The counties of Taladega and Benton are settled by
popuauoh quite as respectable and orderly have
seenin any new country Some few Of the settlers are
extensive planters, but in general property is distributed
with some degree OF equality amongst the mass of the
people Learning there would be occasion for my
vices in Randolph, did not visit that county, and am
consequently unprepared TO speak OF it.
endeavoued TO ascertain, of persons extensively &C.
quanted in the countless the number of retailers in each
and The following statement exhibits the result my in
quiries In Benton there ten Randolph i've and in
ialadega ten have been licensed and few may retail
without license. These counties, am persuaded from
observation made while in the lower counties in July
contain at least hall the retailers in the nation So that
conclude that The dealers in whiskey canSot exceed from
niiy 10 seven'yhve.-ln Taladsga (where my means OF
forming an opinion satisfactorily think the mer.
chants in general are respectable, and some OF them
heard ad expressed determination not 10 sell whiskey
TO the Indians.
DESTROYS Of being informed OF the truth of the rumors
we had heard as TO the intrusion upon Ind possessions
sought Information from many gentlemen whose cha
racers Tor truth en,iile them the fullest belief all
%hom eoncnrred In assuring that individual may
wropguily occupied the Indian improvements, but such
cases had never reached their know ledge. They also
expressed the belief that just and favor Bile pub
lie opinion toward the Indians, that interference with
their rights would be tolerated, and that the settlers would
readily lend their aid to the Indians against the ntruders
cannot doubt but the settlers are of essential SCI vice
10 the lndans-Ihe presence affords the Indian pro.
lection Tor his property against the aggressions OF the law
less individuals who infested the borders OF the nation
previous to their ingressOnn fact many instances
communicated TO in which tue INDIANS by the aid OF
the settlers had recovered their horses, SC which had
been stolen And in addition 10 this, ready market is
Afforded 10 The Indian Tor every thing OF value he
mand
The execution Of the orders from the War Department
am sure can never benefit in any point of view the Go.
vernment, and must be ruinous in the both
Indian and the Many OF the Indians are in the
habit oil selling their crop as gathered de.
pending for subsistence upon chance and traffic with the
white people The settlers themselves have but few of
mem made more Than suiciency of provisionsf they
are compelled 10 leave their homes they could not carry
II with them and IL left they could find market for it,
anu their provisions could be the Indians must
suffer greatly from the OF them
Few il any of the tribes OF Indians are so poor as the
Greeks; their stock almost entirely DESTROYED during
the war, and they SO INDECENT that many ofhem have
not acquired any SINCE These causes poverty and ndo
ence have TO great extent thrown them upon the kind
ness and hospitality OF the white people; and do CON
scienousy believe that at no ne Rod SINCE the war h,v
hey hVeu better than at present. gentleman OF
county, OF high and honorable character informed me in
me summer that he frequently gave them provisions at
bl' house. and from observation am sure that there are
many others quite as benevolent.
Many oil the settlers entertain the opinion that the in
ome's OF he secretary at War, interested in their
removal and that most Of the Indians who have CO. ope
rated with them have similar interest IL is not difficult
10 imagine how the pecunary interest of some might be
oy The execution oil the order and strange are
the representations reced by the Secretary in his letter
OF me ON September TO his Excellency the Governor
having been made 10 the Department OF War, that am
MOI prepared 10 denounce the suspicion groundess
nat The facts which have induced the action Of the Exc
curve branch OF The Federal Government cannot be made
manifest by proof, do not question.
believe, Sir have said much as the SCOPE of vour
inquiry contemplated and will trouble you no further than
10 renew the assurance OF my friendly regard
49, 49, HENRY w. COLLIER.
To Hon S. W MApnIs