The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-08
CHEROKEE AFFAIRs-THEIR SETTLE
MENT

MENT.
We learn, with sincere pleasure, that the serious
difficulties so long existing among the Cherokee In
dams, with their claims against the United States,
arising out Of treaty supulatons, ore about being
brought To a fnal adjustment. The three delega-
ions now in this city, entered into agreement in
writing some days since, to submit all the causes Of
difficulties existing among themselves, with the va
rious claims they have preferred against the United
States, to rts commissioners, to be appointed by the
President Of the United States. These commission
ers to be legal gentlemen, invested with penary
powers and instructed to decide the questions sub
mitted upon principles of iaD and equity. Their
decision is to form the basis Of treaty. to be sign
ed by all parties, and submitted to the President
and Senate of the United States for confirmation,
The President, we understand, appointed this tr.
bunal Monday last, and it entered upon the dis
charge Of its duties at ten o'clock this morning IL
is composed Of Hon .AIbiOn X Paris, I'd comptroI-
Ter Of the treasury, Hon. E. Burke, commissioner Of
the patent Office, and Major Nm .armsirong, super
ntendent Of Indian affairs for the western territory
The Cherokee parties, I'VE learn, suggested the
who, at present, have eOnnerisn oih the gOuern-
mtni; and, as extensive claims against the United
States will be brought under its adjudication,
perhaps it might have been more satisfactory
to the parties interested, if the board had
been thus constituted. We can say, however,
for the qualification Of all who feel interest in the
Cherokee people, that their cause is safe in the
81 he nd aaIac al 10 tr,y Ind
Paris is extensively known throughout the country
as a lawyer of eminent ability, unwavering courage
and inaexible integrity. Mr.. Burke, in his legal
and other qualifications, is worthy to be the col
league Of Judge Paris. or Major Armstrong the
third commissioner, we need not speak. He is
located in the neighborhood of the Cherokee coun-
try, and part of his official business is with them.
They know him WELL and all parties agreed to his
appointment is said before was made. With this
tribunal, therefore, we say to our Cherokee friends
you have nothing to fear if your is JUST. Lay
aside all suspicious or want Of confidence, if you
entertain any, and respectfully but boldly submit
your claims against the United States, and your
causes Of discomfort among yourselves We firmly
believe that every member Of this board would sac
permit the slightest injustice to be inflicted upon
sutton against the United States in reference Of the
case to their decision, to shield or oblige the
government, or the power they serve. But they
will not be asked to decide any questions submitted
upon any other than legal and equitable principles.
The President, the Secretary of War, and the Com
missioner Of Indian Affairs have already shown
hat ,ohtp of he In1ap
tribes, and determined to execute existing trea-
ties according to their plain common meaning
and evident intention of the contracting parties at
the time they were negotiated. Instructions cor
responding with this determination will, no doubt,
be given to the present board Eristing treaties and
the LAW regulating our intercourse with the Indian
tribes, will be the beacongh to direct its course.
The fact of the gentlemen composing this tribunal
being in the employment of the government, against
whom the claim is made, must not, therefore, deter
the other party from making an entire submission to
their decree.
The settlement of the "Cherokee difficulties" as
they are called is business of much labor and
magnitude than is generally supposed. We have
read the lucid and able report Of the Commissioners
the President on the 18th of April last. We have
also read various other publications giving hsto-
ry of the Cherokee tribe Of Indians, stretching from
the period at which we made our first treaty with
them in 1875, to the division of that tribe by treaty
compact in the year 1917, and from that time up to
the present. and confidently assert that ques-
tons are and will be presented by all parties, which
will he Al profnup6 Local in
vestisaton, for they are put down in such an at
tractive and solemn form as will render decision
unavoidable. The party called "old settlers for
merly known as the Cherokee nation west Of the
Mississippi river" have presented their case in va
rous printed documents, with great candor and clear
ness There is no installing the nature, character,
and extent of their claims. They show, from the
treaties and other public documents that the coun-
try now occupied by the whole nation, was made
their exclusive property by the treaty Of 1888. This
country taken from them by the treaty Of 1885,
concluded between the United States and the eastern
Cherokees, without their consent; and for the lands
thus taken, and which cannot well be restored, they
now claim payment. This claim does not appear
to conflict with the interests Of either Of the other
claims conflicting with each other; but both now
contend for the faithful execution of the treaty Of
1885, which they alege has not yet been done.
The head of the Indian Bureau, Col Medil, is
deserving of all praise for the bold, fearless, and
able manner in which he has taken hold Of ques-
ton that has given so much annoyance to preceding
administrations, and has brought it fairly before the
public. 1t appears manifest, if assumptions are
correct, from the light we have upon the subject,
that If the treaty of 1893 is disposed Of by fair set
Element with the "oId western Cherokees," the path
will be clear for speedy and satisfactory adjust
ment OF all other difficulties among these people by
a prompt and faithful execution of the treaty of
1895. 1.-THE several parties of Cherokees make out
their cases, the board Of commissioners, now ap.
pointed, will enter judgment in their favor; if they
do not make out their cases. and fail to sustain their
complaints from the records Of the country as they
have promised, judgment will be entered against