Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-04-04

% the Chiefs. head men ana people OF
the Cherokee nation. in which we are
told, that the ezeestive has formally de-
elinedp allintercourse or correspondence
with Mr.. Ross in relation to the treaty,
81 and" that ian end has been put 10 all
negociation upon the ssIeet-that IL Is
the pnalleYable determinatsOa 81 the Pres
idsnt to execute the treaty--tbe lime can
NOT possibly be proLOnged--anOther day.
bevond The time named, eGHnot and ariLt
NOT Be aIiOced yon" The writers say -
"ips IOiH not ATTEMPT TO dsseribs the euils
that mag fall spon goa if yos are still
obstinate and refuse to conform to the
requirements Of The treaty-re UlA not
paint the horrors that mag ensue in such
an erent" -f
II will be readily conceived that dcclar.
atoms like these, emanating from such a
source-our country already filled with
troops-caunot fail to 6ll our minds with
| conservation and surplse. What have
we done TO merit such severe treatment ?
What is our crime7 Have we invaded
any ones rightsq Have we violated any
article OF our numerous taeatles2 Have
we in any manner acted in bad faith We
are not even charged with any such thing.
Bot we are accused Of "labOri1g under
dangerous error" and Of being "duped
and deIuded 6y those in Whom we hare
plaesi-impliea eonfdence." Your pre-
tended friends" say they, "Aare prOred
themselves 10 be your 1Oorst enemies"-
But what is our dangerous error o.
What is our "delusion I" Is it delusion
to be sensible of the wrongs we suffer 7
Is il dangerous error to believe that the
great nation. whose representatives we
now approach, will never knowingly
sanction transaction originated in treach-
ery, and to be executed only by violence
and oppression! 1t cannot be. Is 1t a
"delusion" to assert that the makers of
thi. il-omened compact were destitute of
authority2 This fact we are prepared to
prove BY ineontestible evidence.
Indeed, It is virtually admitted by the
parties themselves; aud the very fact,
that an armed force should be put In re-
QUESTION to defend their persons and to
compel our submission. argues, not OBJ
scurely, a defect OF confidence in the
validity Of the compact is it obstinacy
to refuse our assent to an act which is
fragrant violation of the first principles OF
free government, and which sets foot on
the neck Of our liberties and our dearest
rights! Are we to be thus frowned into
silence for attempting to utter our COM
plants in the ear of our lawful and cove
nanted protec orr Is it crime to copflde
in our chiefs-the men Of our choice
whom we have tried and found faithful ?
We would humbly ask, in whom should
we confide2 Surely not in those who
have. in the face of our solemn injunctiuns,
and in opposition to the reiterated express
ion Of our sentiments, conspired the ruin
Of our country-usnrpRd the power OF
the nation--framed the spurious compact
and by srifce and fraud, palmed it on
the authorities Of the United States, and
procured for it the recognition Of those
high functionaries
And now in the presence Of your au-
gust assemblies, and in the presence OF
the Supreme Judge OF the Universe, most
solemnly and most humbl v do we ask
are we, for these causes, TO be subjected 10
the understandable evils which ale designed
10 be inflicted on usl is our country 10
be made the scene of the "horrors" which
the Commissioners "toiLL not paint "'-
For adhering 10 the principles on which
your great empire is founded, and which
have advanced it to its present elevation
and glory. are We TO be despoiIed Of all
we hold dear on earth2 Are we to be
hunted through the mountains like wild
beasts, and our women, our children. our
aged. our sick, to be dragged from their
homes, like culprits. and picked on board
loarhsome boats, for transportation to
sickly clime2
Already are we thronged with armed
men; f,rts camps, and military posts Of
everv grade. already occupy our whole
country. With rs, It is a season OF alarm
and apprehension. We acknowledge the
power of the Unired States. We ac'
knowledge our own freblrness. OuI
only fortress is, The justice Of our cause
Orr only appeal on earth, is TO your tr'
bunal To you. then, we look. Before
your honorable bodies-in view oil the
appalling circumstances with which we
are MISUNDERSTANDING on the righteous
ness OF our cause, and the justice an
magnanimity OF. the tribunal 10 which WE
iappeal-we do soIemnly and earnestly
protest against that spu ious instrument
and we do hereby, also, respectfully re
affirm, as part Of this our memorial
the resolutions and accompanying memo
rails Of the two last general councils o
the nation, held q, Red Cay. Our mind
remain unaltered. We can never assen
to that compact; nor can We believe tina
the United States are bound in honor o
in justice. to executive on Us its degrading
and ruiIlons nrnrisinrls