Arkansas intelligencer. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1842-1859, 1844-03-02
VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS, SATURDAY MORNINGS MARCH g. 1874

both private and public, almost every days expo
rience shows the propriety and necessity Of def n
ing and establishing our National rights and rela
lions with the United States Government. AND
until this shall be done by treaty, it will be i'm
possible for us, in the exercise of jurisdiction,
avoid occasional collision with the authorities o.
the United States. Ha ni s II
The instrument which was signed BY individu
ais Of our Nation, and Johu F. Shermerhorn as 4
Commissioner on the part of the United States, al
New Echota, in 1885, and called a Treaty, ha.
never been authorized by our Nation, nor since
acknowledged by the Cherokee people, so as Il
make legally binding: and withal, its stipulation.
are SO full of ambiguity, that the difference Of opn
ion in regard to their constructions have been pro
ductive of much dissatisfaction.
These facts, however unpleasant it may be
Will compel us to continue and keep up the pain
full controversy with the authorities of the United
States until the subjects in dispute shall be NOR,
satisfactorily arranged.
The plea of policy and expediency which wa
so strongly urged under President Jackson's Ad
ministration, for the qualification and enforcement
of the New Echota Treaty, no longer exists; it
intentions having been carried out, and our Ma
ton removed from our peaceful homes-our be
loved country-at the point of the ba yonet,- th,
cherokee people submitting in peace to supe rio
power, and in no instance having committed an,
breach OF the National faith, by which the protec
ton OF our rights as guaranteed in our Treaties
with the United States, can be declared as havin.
been forfeited; they cannot 10 Justice be withheld
from US. But inasmuch as this plea, which promp
ted the General Government to carry out Thu
harsh measure, for the aggrandizement of cor
tam States, by which our Nation has been wrong
ed and seriously injured. no longer exists; we have
now, III approaching the Government with ou
grievances, only to desire that our wrongs may
be redressod upon just principles, and our Nation
al rights secured upon liberal and honorable
terms. To say that, because the Schermerhorn
instrument has been ratified. and is now a law oil
the land--or, that, because they possess the ply.
steal powor to compel the Cherokee people to sub
NIT to their will and pleasure, they will not agree
to supercede it BY Treaty, which will be more
righteous and satisfactory the contra citing Ma
lions, would be beneath the dignity of the United
STATES. The idea, then, cannot for a moment be
entertained, that such grounds will be taken. Elk.
perence has shown US that wrongs, long suffered
have often in tho end been redressed, and we
have had abundant examples of the magnanimity
and justice of the people and government of the
United States. Knowing, therefore, the princi-
Piles upon which that Government i. based, and
the executive officers Of the several departments
are sometimes led astray, from the path of JUS
tce, by political influence, which, for time, are
seriously flt let US press the justice of our claims
and before long we may find President Tyler pre-.
pared TO meet his pledges to US.
In pursuance with the provisions of an Act pass
cd at the last session, had conference with the
Chiefs Of the Creek Nation, and the various tribes
were invited to meet US in General Council at
Tahleqnail, on the fifth day of June last. Dole.
cations representing twenty-one tribes attended
accordingly. Peace and friendship were renew
ed. Harmony and good order prevailed through.
out the whole Council, which lasted about FIVE
weeks. After the ancient ceremonies of our Fa.
lhers, in smoking the pipe Of peace and friendship
and establishing white paths from tribe to tribe
as mathematical Of attachment. intercourse and
were all over, a Covenant was en-.
tered into, for the protection of rights and redress
Of wrongs, whereby the peace and friendship es.
labIlshed between US might never be disturbed
Some of the delegations deferred signing the com.
pact until they should return TO their respective
Tribes, and confer with others of their leading
men at home, under the promise Of informing us
at the present Council Of their final action on the
subject. The document containing the Articles
Of the Convention is herewith submitted for your
further information. During this Council we had
the misfortune to lose, by death, the Rev. Young
Wolf, one of the members of the executive council.
In the absence of the report, which the Supor-
intendent of Schools will make TO you, have only
to remark, that such measures as you may deem
expedient to adopt, as improvements on the pres
ent system, ought to be simple as can be devised
for their successful operation. The great object
should be, SO to employ The means within our CON
troll, as to dffuse learning and knowledge to the
greatest extent possible, throughout the land. |
would further suggest. for your consideration. the
importance of establishing, in the vicinity of the
seat of Cover nment, two Seminaries, of higher
order than the District schools, one for males and
the other for females, where all the essential
branches should be taught.
Deeming it expedient that a Printing Press
should be established. for the dissemination of use.
fu information among our people, and to spread
abroad correct knowledge of the state Of our af.
fairs and of passing events; in order that the ru-
mors prejudcial TO the border tribes of Indians
and too often circulated through the newspapers
in the states, by designing demagogues, may be
corrected; [ have, through tho very kind and
friendly aid of the Rev. David Green, Correspond
ing Secretary Of the American Board Of Foreign
Missions, in Boston, purchased a printing press Of
superior quality. with types, both English and
Cherokee, and supply Of paper and such other
articles as are required in the business. The
n mi the havo oil ao cal.,