Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-05-09
Eron the N. Z. Observer.


~ \
DIV of the documents respecting our rela-
tons with the Cherokees, printed in 1880
by order of the Houseof Representatives.
From memorial presented to Congress
by John Ross, and seven other Cherokees
Representatives of their nation, in June
that year, we copy the following account
of the measures adopted by the agents of
Georgia and the United States to make
the Indians willing to emigrate. 1t is
right that the Gherokees should be per-
mitted to tell the story of their wrongs.
If it had sooner met our eye, we should
not have delayed the publication TO this
late period We trust that still it may
not be too late to be of some benefit. 1t
will at least procure for them the pray
ers of Christians The narrative needs
no comment from US. We we will only
say that to do such deeds as are here re-
corded, in the name of humanity is to cap
the climax of insult and oppression.
In the preamble of an act of the Gen
eral Assembly Of Georgia, in reference to
the Cherokees passed the I'd of Decem-
Der, 1885, it is said. &c from knowledge
of the Indian character, and from the pres
} ent feelings of these Indians, it is conf
) IDENTIFY believed, that the right of occupan
: cy of the lands in their possession should
be Withdrawn, that 1t ,a0outd be- a strong
inducement TO them TO treat Ulth the Gen.
erGJ Government and consent TO a remov-
? al 10 the acest; and whereas. the present
Legislature openly avow that their prima-
5 ~ object in the measures intended to be
parsued, are founded on real humanity to
? these Indians, and with view, in a dis
tant region, to perpetuate them with their
t old identity of character, u1rder the pater'
nal care Of the Gooernment Of the U"at'
B. ed States at the same time frankly dIsa-
t vowing ong selfish or sinister notices to-
+ mards them In their present legislation
4 &c. This is the profession. Let US now
s turn to the practice.
s In violation of the treaties between the
d United States aud the Cherokee nation
It Georgia passed law requiring all white
d men, residing in that part of the Chero
n kee country, in her limits, to take an oath
of allegiance to the State of Georgia
e For a violation Of this law, some of the
e ministers of Christ, missionaries among
IS the Cherokees, were tried convicted, anc
IT sentenced to hard labor in the penitenta
It ry. Their case may be seen by referenc,
d to the records of the Supreme Court o
II the United States.
n Valuable gold mines were discovered
E. upon Cherokee lands, within the charter
e ed limits of Georgia, and the Cherokee
II commenced working them, and the LIE
e gisIature of that State interfered by pass
d ing an act, making it penal for an Indial
r to dig for gold within Georgia, no doubt
" frankly disaUosoimg any selfish or SIMS
n ter notices toacGrdS them'' Under thi
lie law many Cherokees were arrested tried
imprisoned and otherwise abused. some
rs were even shot in attempting to avoid ar
le1 arrest; yet the Cherokee people used NJ
N violence, but humbly petitioped the Gov
ID ernment of the United States for a fulfil
p ment Of treaty engagements, TO protec
~ them, which was not done, and the an
is swer given that the United States couIC
III not interfere.
D. When Georgia discovered she was no
is to be INSTRUCTED in carrying out her meas
It, ures, g founded on real humanity to theS
at Indians, she passed an act directing tn
OF Indian country to be surveyed into dis
ne tricts. This excited some alarm, but tn
~ Cherokees were quieted with the assur
n, ance it would sdoSno harm to- survey tn
be country Another act was shortly ate
III passed, to lay off the country into lots
r! AS yet there was no authority 10 take pos
ID session, but it was not long before a Law
ct was made, authorizing lottery for tn
ne lands laid off into lots. In This act tn
be Indians were secured in possession of al
w the lots touched by their improvements
an and the balance of the country allowed /
IS be occupied by white men. This was
- direct violation of the 5th article Of tn
ne treaty of the 9th of February, 1915
e. The Cherokees made no resistance, sti
he petitoned the United States for protection
and received the same answer that tn
1t President could not interpose
"a After the country was parcelIed out b
es lottery, horde of spectators made thei
OF appearance, and purchased of the fortur
OF ate drawers lots touched by Indian i'm
ed proFements at reduced prices, declaring
us was uncertain when the Cherokees woul
ed surrender their rights, and that the lo
an were encountered by their claims. Th
nd consequence of this speculation was tina
les at the next session of the Legislature, a
er- act was passed limiting the Indian rigl
of ofoecupancy to the lot upon which he r
ess} sided, and his actual Improvements a,
is Joining. Many of the Cherokees file
lie, bills, and obtained injunctions against di
sh- possession, and would have found reli
Pc in the courts of the country, if the iudic
ler airy had not been Frustrated at the feet
ia,1 legislative power. For the opinion of
by Judge, on this subject, there was an a
ere Etemnt to impeach him. then to limit h