The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-02

Pied and the experience he has obtained. What we
would ask is, that the combatants ON both sides
would discuss the subject with proper moderation
as well as commendable brcyity BY this course
only can they command the public attention, and
win their way, as the present writer DESIRES to the
car of the President.
For the Union
INDIAN AFFAIRS-THE CFIERoKEES.
The 'reations" existing between the government
OF the United States and the several Indian tribes,
so often spoken of, but very mperfectiy under
stood. At the commencement of every session OF
Congress, voluminous and exceedingly cookbook
Ing document, called "Report of the Commissioner
OF Indian Affairs" makes its appearance before the
public; by which the people areN informed that the
greatest care is taken Of their money in charge OF
that department 1t also contains graphic and
glowing description of the advancement of the In
dams in civilization and general prosperity-al OF
which is attributable to the parental with which
their interests are guarded, and the mastery man.
ner in which all their concerns are managed. Some
malicious people do say however, that these 'sre-
portsn have long since obtained the reputation OF
Sir John HerschetPs telescope one but the
artist can discover any of the pretty things he de-
scribes. The frontier people look upon these an
nual statements as gross perversions of the truth;
the Indians know their professions be hollow and
insincere; and the representatives of the people,
who called upon at every session to listen to UNI
redressed grievances and want of good faith in our
government, complained of by all the tribes who
have the means of approaching the capitol, have
ken the subject up in good earnest. Inquiry has
been the alert, during the two or three last ses-
slons of Congress- principally in investigating the
affairs of the Cherokees; and am much Mistaken if
the result will not exhibit the pruden and econom-
ical' management Of the Indian department as veri
flying the rusty old adage of shedding TO the spic
-, IL a.. .r..- ltIy T.
IN the year 1882, millions are expended annually by
the Indian branch Of the public service; and il is
time to inquire whether these vast sums of money
are judiciously applied; and whether a different
course of policy from the heretofore and at pres
ent pursued IS not now lmperiously demanded.
There is more trouble--morc real danger-more
distrust of our fidelity in the fulflment of solemn
treaty stipulaons, existing at this time among the
tribes lining our frontiers, than ever existed any
former period.
profess to understand the subject of our ssIndian
relations, and propose to enter the arena a con-
iributor to the efforts now making to obtain fair
exposition upon this question, commencing with the
difficulties existing between the United States and
the Cherokees, arising out of treaty stpulations If
| can obtain place in the "Union, /" universally ac-
knowledged as the organ of correct information, j
solemnly promise to do nothing which will detract
from its high character in this respect. appear
before you the acknowledged friend and advocate
of the Cherokee peoples and earnestly desire that
the President of the United States may read what
have 10 say; for, TO the executive and his constu-
tonal advisers, a serious appeal will be made upon
this subject and the responsibility Of decision
must fall upon him, who is universally denomnated,
by the terms we usc the great father of the red
man,
In the outset, l dsclaim all connection with
certain class, who, under the garb of philanthro-
py are continually finding fault with the policy
adopted by our govenmenttoward the Indians.
have tune to the old cantng song of eLo the
poor Indian ~ The plan adopted by our govern
mcnt many years ago, ofcoonizing the Indians west
of the Mississippi, is Just and benevolent in all its
features; and, if carried out in the spirit which
created it, we would hear no more complaints from
the tribes within our borders But this is not the
case. Indian treaties have been held invioate only
until the government could obtain possession Of the
lands relinqushed under their provisions; and then
they have been sneered at solemn arces, and the
sacredy pledged faith of the government reckessly
violated. These things should not be, and they can
not exist much longer. The spirit of our institu-
tons, and the nature of people, are kindly dis
posed toward the red men Of this country who
were found by our ancestors in possession Of the
farest portion of the lands lying between the waters
of the Atlantic and the Mississippi; and DISPOSE
ton is abroad to ferret out the causes which are
producing the universal discomfort now pervading
the Indian nations. There is an arch.contriver
somewhere; and no matter whether he lie shielded
battle inquiry by evasion, or circumocution,
mysti6cation, he will be discovered; and if am
not much Mistaken the great axe of public indigna-
ton will fail upon him with decapitating force. Let
me have fair field, and promise to present such
important information to the eye and sense of our
new and glorious administration, will elicit in
your behalf the blessings Of the whole race of your
red brethren because to your press will their sue
cess, in this respect, be attributable
The atiairs of the Cherokee people have been
thrown into so much confusion by official nisman-
agement of some kind, that there now exist three
distinct parties in that once united and powerful
nation, each representing separate interests. | will
present them, as they appear as petitioners before
the government of the United States. The first are
called the sold Settlers" western Cherokeesr
who claim to be the exclusive owners Of the lund
occupied by the whole Cherokee people west
of the Mississippi river, under the provisions
of the treaty Of 1885, Their claim is based upon
formal separation from their eastern brethren, pro-
posed in the year 1909, under the sanction of Pres-
dent Jefferson, and officially carried into effect by
the provisions OF treaty concluded between Gen.
Jackson and other commissioners in behalf of the
United States, and the Cherokee nation, in the year
1877; which was confirmed by the conventional ar
rangement of 1919, negotiated and concluded by
MIR. Calhoun, Secretary of War. By this compact,
ratified by the President and Senate in the most
solemn constitutional form, the United States OBJ
tanned cesson from the Cherokee nation of valu-
BILE district Of country east of the Mississippi, and
conveyed to the "western emgrants" quantity of
land m Arkansas represented as equal in value to
the lands reinquished by them under its provisions
Two distinct nations created by this treaty and
convention. A division of all the interests of
these parties is settled by the stipulation, that there
after the annutes due the 1hoie nation shall be paid
hoords to the eastern, and onethnd to the western
Cherokees
The "western Cherokees" continued to occupy
the country conveyed to them under the above-re-
cited conditions, as separate and distinct nation,
until the year 1923, when treaty negotiated
with them by Mr. Barbour, then Secretary of War