The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-10-10
DEFENCE OF GENERAL JOHN e. WOOL

DEFENCE OF GENERAL JOHN e. WOOL,
Against the accusations of his EreeAcney c. c. Clay,
Governor of Alaba70 as enguircd int0b the Court
Of Enquiry Of ,ehieh Major General Scott was Pre-
sidcnt.
Mn. PRESIDENT: ....~ . w
1t was very far from my expectation when took
leave of my command the LIST of July last, in ODE
dence to instructions fromthe War Department, that
should SO soon again be compelled to revisit this
country, particularly under the circumstances in
which now appear before you. frankly confess
that when l took my departure was faitered with
the pleasing reflection that carried with me the APP
probation and kind wishes of ALL the Tennesseeans,
the Georgians the North Carolinians, and the Ala
bamians. II appears, however, that was mistaken,
and the pleasing illusion which had SO fondy che
rished, was and rudely 10 be dispeled For, on
my arrival al Washington, Il learned from the Secre
tary Of War that had been charged by the Execu-
tive of Alabama with usurping the powers Of the
civil tribunals of the state, disturbing the peace of
the community and tramping upon the rights of its
citizens; and that Court had been instituted TO
quire into the circumstances, and report the facts to
the War Department. My surprise was great, for
of all that could be alleged against me during the
period commanded in the Cherokee nation, the
charges preferred against me We're the most foreign
to my feelings and intentions, and which every mea
adopted with reference to the Cherokees and
the white inhabitants, will clearly prove did not
go to that country, Mr. President, TO tarnish what
little reputation may have previously acquired by
acts of oppression or cruelty, nor by violating the
laws of my country My object was faithful exc
cuon of the treaty with the Cherokees, to protect
all in their rights, as guaranteed by it the white
men and the red--the weak as well as the strong.
These were the cardinal rules for my conduct which
l steadily kept in vicw and which never lost sight
of for single moment, from the time Ientered the
country until left ii.
But il is not my intention, Mr.. President to deain
this Court weary its patience by attestations of
my Innocence or labored defence of my conduct,
whilst commanding in the Cherokee nation The
President of the United States having refused my
request for general enquiry into my conduct, and
the present enquiry being limited to single COM
plaint will at once proceed, in as brief manner
circumstances will permit, to present my views OF
the subject to the consideration of the Court The
facts BY which this Court is TO be guided in the Tor
nation of its opinion, are now upon its records |
await the result of its deliberations, and the Judg-
ment of the American people, when your proceed
ings shall be made public, with undoubting conf
dence rue
NV instructions, Mr. President of the Goth June,
1886. in which copy of the late treaty with the
Cherokees was enclosed are before you marked T.
With what energy, zeal, and promplitude | dis
charged the important duties thus assigned me, the
Court will be able TO Judge from the facts and the
documents before it. As directed, ! repaired TO
Athens, in Tennessee, with as much despatch as
practicable, and after organizing brigade OF volun-
leers, arming and equipping such force as con
sdered the nature of the service required and es
tablshing depots of provisions in suitable places for
both the troops and the poorer class Of Cherokees,
distributing the troops in such positions as would af-
ford the greatest facilities for operating and control
ling the Cherokees in of hostilities established
my head quarters the 9th Of July little more
than month AFTER ] left Washington near the mouth
Of Valley river ~ c., in the midst Of the most OBJ
stnate and warlike of the Cherokees, and the most
devotedy attached TO their country. was no, slow
in discovering that the command had assumed was
one of delicacy in its nature and extremely trouble
some in the execution. found the Indians laboring
under state OF excitement, produced by the means
adopted to force upon them the late treaty, which
they most explicitly disavowed declaring that they
had made no such treaty with the United States and
that the paper which purported to be one was made
by few unauthorized individuals without the sane
ton Of the nation assisted by corrupt agents of the
Government" This state of feeling was heightened
by the daily encroachments of the whiies who were
focking into the nation and driving them from their
homes This excitement was still greater in Geor-
gia and Alabama where the Indians were not only
dispossessed of their houses and fields, but in conse
quence also of the conduct of the troops Of these
states who, in pursuit Of Creek Indians who had
fled for refuge among the Chcrotees from the war
that raging in their country not unfrequent-
Nv captured the Cherokees and conveyed them TO the
Creek emigrating camp for transportation 70 'he
West. BY this means husbands were frequently Sc
parated from their wives and children rom 'he pa
rents Such was the perplexed and embarrassing
state of things with which had TO struggle on my
entrance into the Cherokee country.
To allay this excitement, 10 correct these abuses
and to induce the Cherokees TO acouiesce and submit