Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1835-01-29
23l Congress-2l Session,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
SATURDAY, JAN.I7


Mr.. EDWARD EVERETT presented the
memorial OF Council held a, Running Waters, in
the Cherokee Nation, State of Georgia November
2oth, 1884, and accompanied il with the iollowin.
rema. ks:
MIR. SreAKER-I hold in my hand, and have
beeh requested 10 present to the House a paner
purporung T. be the memorial OF the Chiefs md
fishd-men OF the Cherokee tribe of md ms, assem-
bi'd at Running Waters, in Tint part of the Chero.
kee country which lies IN he STATE of G org,a, to-
wards the close of the month of November. THIS
Council wps organ zed behalf of tn II portion OF
the Cherokee tribe OF Indians, who are unwilling
on any terms, To submit TO the jurisdiction OF the
STAT III which they live, and desrous of reno
wing, uhder the protection and by the aid of the IT,
nned States, TO The coun ry already in posses sion
Ut that potion Of their tribe which has crossed the
Mississippi.
The original sgnaturcs tc.onglng 10 his me
morIsl are 10 he found h. ofIs4nal which is to
bc presented IN the Other bra4en Of the LEGISLATURE
An authenticated Transcript Of 1hem is attached to
the duplicate Of the immortal winch have nov
the honor o submit 10 The House. They are fifty
seven IN number twenty of which are ccr:,f d T.
have been written by hose to whom the signatures
belong. The other Thirty are made IN the u
sual manner of persons unable tn wrie. or how
ming Waters may represent the opinions, am not
Informed
The memorial | am satisfactorily assured is tn,
production OF John Ridge, distinguished member
OF he Cherokee tribe, and OF the delegates n ~
present IN ths CITY from he Council al Running
Waters. Ii is at has request and that of his
ciates, Elias Bou linot and Archillc Smith, that
now present this memorial 10 be adop cd at the
same Council expressing, III more cond nstd
form, the oplalons and feelings of thai potion of
the Cherokee Nation who were represented IN the
Council, and N whose behalf these papers are now
submitted to he House
These documents too long to be conveniently
read an erteHSo, and for tn sake of cconomzins
the 'me OF the House, beg leave briefly to state
their purpoIt
They set forth, in strong language, the right Of
their people 10 the soil o. which they live and he
sense ofthc wrong done them IN the measures Ia
ken to dispossess them. And IN these views, sir,
feel IT my duly to say, that fully concur. They
represent the progrcs, they have made III tn arts
OF cI'i'Izalon-a progress, no doubt well calculated
10 excite admnation Ii has excited the admira-
ton o the trends OF hum unity both here and IN Eu
rope They express, however, the orrowful con-
vlcion, that II Is impossible for them, the present
state OF Ihings, 10 retain their national existence,
and to 1--we IN peace and comfort, in their native
g'on. They therefore have turned their eyes 10 the
country west OF the Mississippi, TO which consIj-
cradle ortlon OF their trioe have already emrgr,-
ted & thcy.express the opinion that they reduc
edto ne alternative of following Them to that region
or of sinking INTO a condition but lutte, If at all
better than slavery IN their present place of abode
They announce this conviction, with that bttern ss
of language, which might na,ma ally be expected
fIom men placed IN their situation md which
think will neither surnrs nor offend anv member
of this House.
In contemplating the subject of removal, they
cast themselves upon the hberallty of Congress to
extend TO them means of transportation, more con
slslent with health and comfort thun they have
hitherto enjoyed objects which, fear, have been
too much ncgl cted hitherto. A pecunary allow
ance as an immediate resource on their arrival IN
the West and adequate assn ancc of right OF
property in the SOIL and the enjoyment of political
privileges in the new abode in which they may
then be placed.
have stated to them. that part Of these objects
such, as in toe usual mode in which the policy
of removal has been pursued, would naturally be
first provided for ny treaty between the United
States and persons authorized TO contract on the
part of the tribe. They CO. slider, however, that IN
the present unhappy state Of The tribe, divided as IT
is by parties warmly opposed to each other, on the
subject of emf grafton. it may be present difficult,
if not Imposs bc, to conclude treaty generally sat
i.fOctory. 1t is also the opinion OF the memorial
ISIS that in the present dsorganized state of their
people, It may be diff rult for the Government TO re-
cognlse parties with which II could advantageous
ly act in the negotiation of treaty.
On this subject, do not profess to be able IN
Judge. have not the means OF forming Comment
| opinion, and do not wish TO take any part IN the
divisions which may exist between the different
| portions of the tribe.
| have now, believe, sir, stated sufficient IN de-
tail the purpose ofthc documents which hoid l"
my hands. shall, before sit down, ask their re-
ference to the Committee on Indian Affairs mol
donh,;no hut that Committee will consider the mot