Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-05-22

c!est!g pleased wi,h our new country. Most oil Inc IN
leliigent men OF our nauon, ouE supreme JUDGES, Gu,
sheriffs, our marsha.s, oar legislators, ana our ha'''"a,
treasurer. are, YOU are aware, already remover; anus III
are engaged in the building OF houses ana 'he opening
of farms. Many Of the Cherokees have turned 'neiI
attention TO merchandising, and some nave suPPneo
them,elve. with goods from New Orleans and New
York, besides other places more convenient 10 u Ha'
ton.
Manv of the Christian Cherokees are engaged in the
organization Of schools and temperance societies.; ana
there is no danger, as some supposed. that the Cherokees
would indulge so much in the chase as TO retrograce
from civilization. And have also the pleasure OF in
forming you, that the utmost friendship and tranquility
prevails between the Indians and the citizens oil The U.
States, not only those who live at the military stations,
but those of your citizens who reside in Missouri ana
Arkansas, near the Cherokee nation. In the best state
OF friendship they visit and trade together on pom s'oeS
of the line, TO their mutual advantage. In addition 10
this, we have excellent saline springs, where SAT- Is
made by the Cherokees. 1 was told Judge harnh "a
about to commence to work al one o. these saiihcs' a.
regard to the health Of the country, find that II 8 e'ou
on the small water courses, and it is only on the 'a'set
water courses that the fever and ague pte'hi'' po'
new settlers. But il is somewhat singular, '"al "nen.
ever q Cherokee arrives in the county, "'tierei ."a'
might be, he cannot be induced TO change HIS location
for a better. He will say that there Is e:lnel u o oet'e',
mr. ibnt his Mace 10 as good as he wants. TO be.
IF the people of the United States could only see our
condition in the West, they would no longer assist'onn
Ross 10 delude the poor, ignoran, portion "i our people
to remain in the East, while he can speculate on lhelf
The Cherokee Government in the West is very much
like it was in the old nation before 1t was suPp'esseao y
the States.
They have an Executive, Legislature, and a Judiciary,
and trial by jury. .
/ feel haooy TO ascertain that a majority OF The Senate
entertain such magnaninous views towards ,e "e
being Of the Indians in future. Removed as lhey are
from State Jurisdiction and conflict, with the rich al
yantapes Of christianity and civilization, The Chocia"s,
Cherokees, Chickasaws, Creeks, and other nations, are
destined to become a mighty and a happy people IN lhe
IT,, T ~, t,plv pleasad IN find that our nelgnO0F Se-
pator Sewer stands by your side in this great unoei'aK'
ing. That was a happy thought Of his, IN calling 'he
Indian Territory "Neosho' 1t means, IN the usage 'i"'
guage, the "Ctear baters.'
Should be ciud TO receive the documents connected
with that bill, and all the important speeches upon 'his
subject. :o..
While I was in New York, | found that the religious
community were entirely bewildered by John Ross, a,o
the party slang of their papers. Instead oil viewing 'e
late treaty. as a blessing 10 The Cherokees, and as a mode
of relief TO The suffering Cherokees, they considered u
the source OF all their Affections attempted 10 explain
John Ross's position in the papers; and many OF them
are convinced that the treaty and Its friends are N ,ne
right; but a great many are still bewildesed lhey De,
lieye that John Ross is Is nation; and could he succeed
TO break the treaty, the whole OF The Sou'heln o'ass
would retire from their iurisdictional charters.
sometimes feel afraid that all is not right IN these
editors of newspapers. 1t would seem, that they would
be willing to have the Indians resist aud shed blood ana
produce a Florida scene, in order to render tnelr 1oVefh
ment odious. They seem TO be pleased 10 have money
expended to suppress Indian hoslililies. and then blame
the Government for the expenses. lhey wen kno"
that the Indians cannot exist IN the States; anu i''hey
can possibly accomplish by their memorials, IS 70 assist
John Ross to effect a treaty, the character OF wnich IS
buried deep in his breast. They all know That IN lhe
East the Cherokees have 10 Government, ana nave mao
no elections for nlDe years past ana yet J'hh NOES 49,
In their estimation, 4 constitutional chiet over all the
Cherokees and if the President refuses TO recognise
this preoos,erous claim, and determines 10 see that all
the Cherokees shall share alike from the ava!!s OIL tleir
land, then they proclaim him u monster, aud john ftosS
the Cherokee christian.
shall remain here to the frs, of June; and will be
obliged 10 you for another !e!ier before start Tor 'he
West, | am your friend, JOHN RIDGE.
Gov. WiLsos L"MeKIH.
Thus, Sir, you have The views of n man, that whom
none is better qualified to Judge, or more entitled 10 iuI'
credit. Now, Sir, what a contrast does TINS ietteroi iacts
present, when compared with the idle, silly. and iaise
sympathy Sc, forth in the memorials and petitions with
people, TRh6S are 1~5bbi vl6SGhssfy7 fi gsfhfOFaiaat 3" the TiHiserts 81 iAe
subject with which they are imPeItnenlly informed
ding. Yes. Sir, these memoraiists are made TO com.
plain upon a subject upon which, from the nature o'
things, they care and know but iitile Sir, these good,
religious memoriais;s are brought in as auxiliaries 10 a
political cause. The obvious object is 10 bring odium
and censure on the administrator OF your Government
| aspire not to the honor Of those who are the organs OF
such petitioners. Sir, am the friend OF liberty and IN
dividual rights. To petition, speak, vrtte, and publish,
is e guaranteed 10 The American citizen by the Constitution
of our country. would abrdge none Of these rights
But | am the avowed opponent OF The impairment in'er.
IlEUullUp OF u CliO vi OLi SVuHby WIN 'S ''H
concerns Of another section. And, Sir, when in my clio.
set, | sometimes lemble for the ultimate destiny o. my
country, when | trace the progress and movements oil
the present times.
We are justly and properly considered a Christian
people. The Constitutions OF our country all recognise
the Bible as a book OF Divine origin and revelation, and
none can have a higher regard and veneraion for that
standard OF religion than myself. But IN the formation
of our Constitution, great care was taken not 10 blend
Church and State; a religious party in politics, such as
these petitioners on the Cherokee subject, was never
contemplated by the trainers of our Constitution. But
with all our guarantees of liberty Of conscience, what IS
the present state Of facts, Look at the journals and
proceedings of both Houses of Congress during the pre-
sent session. All other business dwindles into mere
stems, when compared with the mass OF matter forced
on the attention OF Congress by a concert OF ptoiessed
Christian spirits, who are connienanccd, encouraged,
and sustained by highly talented men Of the political
party who are opposed TO the present Administration o!
the Federal Government. And these pious people take
the liberty, upon all occasions, OF dealing out denuhc'a'
ton and condemnation upon the Government OF their
country. And yet, when conclusive testimony is intro.
duced to expose their error, the Senator from Massachu-
sets Mr.. Dayis] complains Of the want OF respect to
these petitioners. The letter of Mr.. Ridge read by me,
has nothing in it unkind or uncourteous 10 these PEG.
pie, unless the exposure of their errors and ignorance
upon this Indian subject may be so considered. Com,
pare the severity aud sentiments OF these memorials,
levelled against the Government to help out a political
party, with this letter; and | may safely appeal 10 any
tribunal for an award in favor Of Mr.. Ridge, upon the
score Of moderation, when compared with this Chris
tian party in politics. Mr.. Ridges letter certainly gives
him much the strongest claim TO q Christian spirit OF
moderation and truth.
But the gentleman from Massachusetts undertakes 10
justify his complaining constituents and memoriahs!s
upon the ground that their complaints are confined to
the validity Of the late treaty. Moreover, the Senator
informs that he has never considered the treaty a valid
one; that it was made with a small number Of unau,ho.
rized individuals OF The Cherokee people, and that fifteen
or sixteen Thousand Cherokees have demonstrated against
the treaty during the present session Of Congress. Up.
on this subject 1 will give the Senator and the Senate
correct information. | wish the whole trath TO be known
to the country. The numerical majority of the whole
Cherokee people has for many years been under the in.
fuence of MIR. Ross and his party; and, therefore, / have
no doub. but u majority of The whole Cherokee people,