The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-12


SIN: Having just arrived from the scene OF opera
tons IN the Cherokee country, avail myself Of the
honor OF communicating TO your Excelency the
movements OF my chief, Gen Scott within the limits
ofGeorgia. Upon the Oath uli. he placed the Geor-
ga volunteers under the command Of Gen FLOYD
in position, and on the 18th commenced operations
Gen. Floyd, in person, commanded the first detach-
ment that operated. The prompiness and ability OF
his movement gave TO the commanding general the
highest satisfaction while il presented 10 The balance
Of the command a sauary example
The number ofprisoners on Tuesday last was about
5000; and by this, do not think there is wander
ing Indian in the Cherokee country within the limits
oil Georgia. The captures were made with the ut
most kindness and humanity, and free from every
stain OF violence. The department of our Georgia
citizens resident in the Cherokee country, has been
marked by forbearance and kindness towards The
Indians, that must win for them the admiration of
every philanthropst. Permit me conclude with the
congfatnlaion OF our rights being SO promptly and
peacefully secured
With the highest regard,
A. III. KEENAN,,
Volunteer Aid-de-eamp 10 Gen. Scott.
His Excellency G. II. GlLMER.
From the Governor Of Georgia to he Secretary Of
Har.
ExEcumvE DEPARrMENr, Ga
Milledgeville, May %, 1888 I
Sin have had the honor OF receiving from you
the proposals of the Government 10 John Ross, and
instructions 10 Gen. Scott.
The surprise and regret excited in myself at these
proceedings Of the Government am sure will be
felt by every citizen of the State
can give 10 them no sanction whatever.
The proposals 10 Ross could not be carried into
execution but in violation Of the rights of the State
The very making OF them must prove exceedingly
injurious 10 the interests OF the people.
The lands which are In the occupancy OF the In
dans in Georgia. are the private properly of its citi
gems; and the owners are now entitled by the laws
TO possession. For the purpose of preventing all
nnp SaryS harf he -
the Cherokees, these propretors have been earnestly
enreated not to enforce their rights once but 10
wait until the Indians should be removed by The ar
my They have been assured that this would be
done by the President al soon as possible and in per-
feet good faith Sincere regret is felt that the sue
cess of these efforts in the cause OF humanity has
been defeated by the Government
As as the proposals TO Ross and the instruc-
tions TO General Scott known TO the propretors
they will no longer be resained from taking posses
sion Of their property 1t becomes necessary there
fore, that should know whether the President in
tends by the instructions 10 General Scott to require
that the Indians shall be maintained in their occu-
pancy by an armed force, in opposition TO the rights
Of the owners Of the soil II such is the intention of
the President, direct collision between the authors
ties OF the State and the General Government must
ensue. My duty will require that shall prevent
any Interference whatever by the troops with the
rights the State and its citizens shall not fail 10
perform IT, To avoid misunderstanding, permit me
TO request that you will communicate 10 me- and as
early as you conveniently can, the Presidents views
upon this subject
/ have no doubt but the Indians can be removed
from the State, in the execution Of the treaty and by
the troops now organized and stationed in the coun-
ny WIN lhal avowed purpose, with more ease and
expedition, and a reader acquiescence on the part
this State.
II, however, the Government consents that Ross
ana MS friends shall remain two years longer, the
State will be obliged 10 get rid Of the evils which
must necessarily arise from such policy, by exer-
cising its own rights Of jurisdiction, and remove
them by the most efficient means which it can com
mand.
Very respectfully, yours, etc.
GEORGE r. GILMER.
From The Secretary Of War to Tie Governor of Gcor-
gia.
WAR DEPARTMENT, June 3, 1888
SIR - have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your Excellencys reply TO my communication
conveying the proposals made BY the Executive TO
the Cherokee delegation, and The instructions to
Gen. Scott; and from the tenor Of your remarks |
cannot but suppose that your Excellency must have
Inexperienced the true meaning and intent of the
Government
The question of prolonging the time of the reno
val OF The Cherokees is expressly referred 10 the
States by this Department, and such extension was
not intended to embrace longer period than that
which might be required by due regard TO the
common dictates Of humanity; il being expressly
stated that the Cherokees were to be removed as
speedily as was consistent with their health and COM
Tort Gen. Scott is, moreover, instructed to continue
the prosecution OF the measures he has adopted to
remove the Indians, and whether their removal is
TO be effected by compusion BY voluntary emigra-
lion under their own agents. TO conduct his opera
tons as to place the propretors Of the lands there in
possession OF their property with little delay as
possible These instructions certainly do not war
rant the superstition that the Government consents
that Ross and his friends shall remain two years
longer; on the contrary the orders Of the Govern
men are most positive that the Indians are to be re-
moved from Georgia first, and from the other States
as speedily as practicable; and your Eyceency NAV
be assured from the character Of the officer entrusted
with their execution, that these orders will be carr
ed into effect without any unnecessary delay. The
Department cannot therefore perceive any cause for
the apprehension your Excellency seems to entertain
OF collision between the authorities of the State and
the General Government.
iuy concur with your Excellency in opinion
that the Indians can be removed from the State IN
the execution OF the treaty, and by the troops now
organized and stationed in the country with that
avoWed purpose, with more ease and expedition,
and reader acquiescence on the part of the Indians
than by any means in the power Of this State %
(meaning Georgia and beg leave to reIterate to
your Excellency the assurance that the troops will
De employed not in opposing, but in vndcating the
rights OF the States interested IN the ullmen of the
treaty, and in establishing without unnecessary de-
lay their citizens in the possession of their property
IN the Cherokee country. All parties must desire
that this may be effected rather by The voluntary emf
grafton OF the Indians than by the application of
force, resort to which the Government desires
most earnestly to avoid If possible
Very respectfully,
Your your most obedent servant
His Excellency GEORGE R. GrLMER,
Governor OF Georgia, Milledgeville Ga.