Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-11-10
IN. CLAY AND nm clzEaoxrss.

~ S4-AH AMI I'M C988OxkxS.
rhs fs,isvag bstssr vss ssdrussss % ths
cherskes sstioa e Eadiaa.. shrssxh oas q
their p-cp,s. By Mr.. clAs. in is1i -tAs tine
u thstr great Distress and exeiss~sus : .nd
hss isssiy srpssrrd N he nsw.pspsrs. We
have seidos s<sa - brief IN sAdrc,s 90 full o.
snser~ss How ssssssasnisie, how fuIl o,
good ssnss, Of wiss essssci, Of humane feel
ssg end bonossbis synpeihy. No one ems
rod Il. ne ore sure, wishost sxp>ri,oei,S :,
'sesessed dssres Of rsspsct both Coz the Se,<
end he heart e the smio<ns eisixsa Who nam.
I'd b. Nat I.t
ASHLAND. 9th June. 1896.
DEAR Sn--I received your les,er
OF the 9TH uh. descnbing The wrongs
and suhenngs Of the Cherokee nation.
W these had beea previously well
informed. In cosnmou Nth . isrce
poriioo of tha citizens OF the United
States, ] regretted them. and ieii The
sineeresi sympathy with YOU on &C.
count at them. I r-gretted them, NO,
only because 1t their injustice, but be.
cause they inflicted deep wound on
the character OF the American Repub-
lie.
] had supposed that the principles
which had uniformly governed our re-
la'ions With the Cherokee and other
Indian nations bad been too long and
Too firmly established to be disturbed
o. this day. They were proclaimed in
the negociaiioo with Great Britain Al
Client. by the American commission.
ers who concluded the treaty Of peace;
and having been one OF thosr commits.
s'oners. ] feel with more ,ensibility than
most OF my fellow citizens, any viola.
ton OF those principles; for if we stated
them incorrectly. we deceived Great
Britain; and d our Government acts
IN opposition TO them. we deceived the
world.
According 10 those principles, the
Cherokee nation has the right TO esiab-
hSh ITS form Of government, and TO n.
tar and amend il from time 10 time. ac.
eording TO i's own sense OF its own
wants; 10 live under its own laws; 70 be
exempt from the operation Of the laws
OF the United States, or Of any ind,.
viduAl State; 20 claim the protection Of
the United States; and quietly TO pos.
sess and enjoy its lands, subject 10 no
other Limitation than that, when sold,
they can only be sold TO the United
States. I consider the present Ad-
ministrstion Of the Government of the
United States Is having announced =
system Of policy in direct hostility
with those principles. and thereby en-
eouraging Georgia TO usurp p..wers oil
legislation over the Cherokee nation
which she does not o: right possess.
Such are my opinions, which are
expressed at your request; but they are
the opinions Of private individual,
which can avail you nothing.
What ought the Cberokees TO do in
their present critical situation, is q
most important question for their con
siderstion. Without being able TO ad-
wise them. see very clearly what the y
ought not 10 do. They ought not 70
make war. They ought to bear every
oppression, rather than fy 10 arms. The
People Of the United States are alone
competent now toredrcss these wrongs;
and il Is TO be hoped that they will.
sooner or later, apply the competent
remedy.
In communicating these opinions Q,
your instance. have done il with no
ineeniion that they should be publish
ed. A publication Of them might do
injury. snd I therefore request that il
be not made.
feel very thankful for the friendly
sentiments towards myself. which you
have expressed. and offer my sincerr
wishes that your nation finally may OBJ
tain justice ct the hands Of the United
States. and may become a civilized,
Christian. and prosperous community.
am, with hi,h respect.
your obedirnt servant.