Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-01-22
DOYE HiS'E'RC.
CIIEROkEE COUNClL-

oil the citizens of the Cherokee Nation COM
PoSed oi the chiefs and head men, who are opposed to
Sec JurIsdction and who in favor of removing TO
iotrr country, where they bc preserved as scpa-
,t G9!nnmnity, was organized at Running Waters
'iI, Eas Doudnot was called 10 the Chair, and Alex
huer NcCoy appointed Secretary. On taking the Chair
inc Chairman explained the object of the council and
VI, nl"uoah iir. John Ridge, committee appoint
i " ura, resolutions expressing the views OF the
c IN regard to the present condition and future pros
peS's OF the Cherokee people and 10 prepare memo
RAJ auuressed to tie Congress Of the United States
The Committee reported the following resolutions
S Tc were READ ia English, and interpreted into the
cherokee language and after most animated and inter
esng discussion, were unanimously adopted:
whereas crisis of the utmost Importance i'm the affairs
" te 'oHee people, has arrived. requiring from every
"Nluua me most serious reelection, and the express
,o VI nus views, as TO the present condition and future
prospects OF the nahonsAnd whereas portion of the
onct"Nees nave entertained opinions which have been
represented as hostile 10 the interests and happiness
oil the people serely because they have not agreed with
the ch'cis and leading men, and those opinions have
not heretofore been properly made ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,
feSo.ccd Ihait $50 decided opinion founded upon
iie melancholy experience OF the Cherokces within the
last two years, and upon facts which history las furnish
cd u.s. IN regard to other Indian nations that our peope
cannot exist amidst white population subject 10 laws
wch .hey nave no hand in making, and which they do
NOT understand that the suppression of the Cherokee 90
'srhneht winch connected this people in Il distinct com
munlty, VIII not only check their progress i'm improvc
icht ana advancement in knowledge, but by means of
numerous influences and foundations which this nov,
state OF things has created, will completely destroy
tmng like civilization among them, and ultimately re-
ouSe mem 10 poverty misery and wretchodncss.
hcSotccd, That considering the progress of State a,
lIorues III TINS country the distribution and settlement
OF the lands the organization of counties the erection az
county seats and Courthouses, and other indications of
q determined course ON the part of the surrounding
States and considering the other hand the repeated
refusal oil Tie President and Congress ofhe IT, States 10
interfere IN our behalf have come TO the conclusion
that tins nation cannot be reinsnted i'm its present loco
ton; and that the question left to us and TO everv
cherokee s, whether 1t is desirable remain here
win all the embarrassments with which we must he
surrounded TO seek country where we may enioy our
own laws, and 1--we under vine and ig-tree
heSotted That in expressing the opinion that this ma
uoh cannot be reinsaicd, do il from thorough con-
vctlon OF its truh-tiat never will encourage our
conhding people with hopes that never be realized
ana with expectations that will assuredlv be
ed-tha however unwccome and painful the truth nnv
be to them, and however unkindly it may be received
rom us, we cannot patriots and wcwishers of the
ihdan race shrink from doing duty in expressing
our decided convictons-that scorn the CHARGE Of
senslness; and want OF patriotic feelings alleged
ssl Us oy some OF our countrynen, while APP
10 our consciences; and the Searcher of all hearts
Tor the rectitudc of our motives and intentions
fcsotred, That although love the land of our IA
uors and should leave the places of our nativity with as
much regret any of Citizens we consider the lo
OF the exile mmeasureaby TO be preferred than
submission TO the laws Of the States and thus become
people
Resoircd That we firmly of the opinion, that n
large majority of the Cherokee people would prefer
removal IT the true state of their condition was proper
inadc known TO them. We believe tIat if thev were
told That they had nothing expect from further efforts
10 regain Their rights distinct community and that
The only alternative len them either to remain amidst
wiiie population, subject TO the white mems laws or
remove to another country where they may enjoy
ana happiness they would unhesitangly prefer the lat
ter. . = - -
Rcsored, That were DESTROYS to leave 10 our Cbic
anu Leading men, TO seek country for their people but as
they have thought proper not 10 do any thnr
ultimate removal Of the nation we know of none 10
"c me Shcrokees can go as asylum, but that pos
scssed by brethren of the RIissssippi thai ,
are willing TO unite with them under propr
from the u States that the lands shall be secured TO n,
ana mat we shall be governed by laws and reeu-
latiOns
Resotred That consider tile policy pursued by tho
Red Clay council in continuing useless STRUGGLE from
year TO year. destructive the present peace and G,
ture happiness of the Cheroces because il is eyteni TO
every observer, that while this struggle going on their
dhhculhes Will accumulatng until they are ruined in
Sr property ana characters and the only remedy that
WIZ then he applied in their case will be submission 10
the laws OF the States by taking reservations and anal
| gamatiug with the whites
Rrs0iped, That we consider The state Of orr Moor bro
hrcn the Creeks, to be sufficient warning to all who
may finally subject the Cherokees the laws the States
| by giving them reservations.
lcSo'rcd That will consent TO have oar own
rights and the rights Gfour posterity sold prospcctive
TO Tie laws OF the states by Chiefs in any com
pact or compromise into which they may choose TO en-
Ter WAN the government That cannot be satisfied with
any thing less than release from State ccslation I'm,
while do not intend 10 have our own poIcnI in,cr
csts compromised shall oppose those who prefer
10 remain subject TO State laws
Rcso'tea hat we were disposed TO contend for what
we considered to he rights az LONG as there was auy
nope OF relcf to the nation but that never can cor
sent TO the waste of public monies i'm nstitutina
ana prosecuting suits, which will result only TO indy
| dual advantage
Resoloed That it is with great surprise and mor,iica.
we nave noticed the idea attempted 10 be conveyed tc
the minds of The people, that the nation can be relieved
oy the courts Of Georgia; thai regard appcanr te
those courts by the nation for redress as an entire de-
pariure from the true policy maintained by the Chero
KEGS III tlieir struggle for ational existence.
And whereas, delegation appointed by the Red CLAW
council and clothed with discretionary powers will short
~ proceed to Washington, upon business which may of
ect tle nights and interests Of every Cherokee and
and whereas have every reason 10 hecye that tlo
views 81 those who wish to remove, will not be- repre-
senled M that delegation; and whereas letters were adj
dressed 10 the Executive Of the n States v former de
pulalion, from which The following is cxlrpeted
"Will you agree 10 enter into AN arrangement on the
basis on he Chcrokccs becoming prospcctivcly citizens
The United States provided the nation will cfde 10 Tho
United States portion Of its territory for the use "a
Georgia and will you agree to lave The laws and
rcaties executed and enforced for the elfceiual pre
"n OF me nation on the remainder of its territory for n
definite period, with the understandings that ncr tbof
period the Cherokces be subjected TO the laws Of
The states within whose limits thcy may he and 10 ta q
an INDIVIDUAL Standing citizens thereof tho sae
otter free citizens Of the United Satcs and to distose
Of surplus lands in such as may be agreed
upony"
From which il IS opprchendcd that ATTEMPTS will be
made 10 enter into an arrangement with the State OF
Georgia, and tie General Government upon The prnci
/ pies Of rclnqushng portion Of The lands and pro.
specuvcy submitting the Chcrokcos TO tie laws of the
States; therefore,
Res0fsed That it is cxpcdcni 10 appoint dedication
who wili represent The views and wishes Of those who
do not intend tOrcmaiaunder the laws Of the States n
VII prefer io remove 10 country whore The Chcrofees
can hc preserved as distinct community that it is inn
porinnt That THIS delegation should prOcc % to Washing
Ton aa possible TO lay before the Executive and
before Congress by memorial the views expressed i'm
the foregoing rcsonions and 60 ask for snclt RIGHTS and
privileges ~ are calculated 60 render those Chcrokecs