Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-02-25
COL. PITCHLYNN'S ADDRESS.

/ SIR: As the representatives of once power
| full, but now a weak and dependent people, We
| come to-day to the White House, to approach him
who occupies the position which the great WASH
| ington himself first fled-a position which the
red man looks up 10 as the most exalted in the
world, but where he may always come and ask
| for Justice at the hands of his political "Great
Father"
Our fathers before US took Washington by the
hand, and pledged their friendship to the United
States, and declared that it should last as long
the sun brought forth day and cheered the hearts
of men. That pledge has never once been bro
ken by the Choctaws. In all their relations with
the United States they have ever sought peace,
goodwill, and friendship, and their treaty stipu-
latons with the government have always been
faithfully observed In war they have perilled
their lives and shed their blood in support and de-
fence of the United States. In peace they have
quietly and submssiyely yielded to their policy
and wishes, though often at great sacrifices both
of interest and feeling. No people ever gave
stronger proofs of more durable friendship than
that which has eyer characterized the conduct Of
the Choctaws towards the United States. To
your people we have been good men and true.
We have done them no injury whatever
We come before you as suppliunts, not for
merciful concessions even iavo-5, but for right
and Justice. Once our possessions embraced the
States of Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana,
and over which our sway was undisputsd and
preme. There the bones CT our ancestors Tor
many generations repose, and there the Choctaws
hoped to remain to watch over them, and to be
pcrpetusted free and independent nation.
But another and Il stronger race came and swept
us away into distant and wilderness LAID,
where we had long 10 struggle against the de-
pressing effects Of sad and pain'al reflections
upon the hard and unyiellinE policy which dePfi-
we'd us of our former land ard cherished bones.
At the time OF our first treaty with rbe United
States, in 1886, when the Choetaws placed them
selves under their protection, they owned ami
possessed about fifty millions Of acres OF land
cas-. of the Mississippi river which was gradual y
and BIZ peace-meal wreeted 4rcm u, Gntii, ia
1890 we we're required to reda the Last foot OF II
to the government. For sll this magnificent do
main, the once undisputed heritage OF our flIhers,
which has pit millions upon millions into the
treasury Of the United States, we received the
most msagrc snd ineonsiderable consideration.
The government required our lands, and We were
compelled to submit and yield them up. II fixed
its own price and no aiternative was LETT Us bat
to agree to wast il had determined We should &C
cept Il has been enriched and otherwise behs-
flied to an incslcuabie extent-we impoyerished,
Frustrated, and exiled. Had Cur last and most
| important trea'y-that Of lS30-been carried ont
in a spirit OF Eberaliiy and justice, we should not
| be disposed 20 complain. Could We now obtain
our iust aad equitable rights under it, we would
BE- satisfied. here are important matters invol-
we'd in its provisions yet remaining unsettled. We
wish to adjust them and eli questions st issue be-
] tween our people and the United States, so that
| there may no longer be any ground for dispute
! or controversy. The interests and welfare OF
our people require that this should be done. They
know that they have just claims for large amounts
/ against the government.
[! We were sent here year ago by eur nation to
eudeayor to effect final adjustment Of all unset
| tied business, and to do whatever might be ne
cessary 10 simplify and more satisfactorily define
our relations with the government. We com.
municated to the proper department tue objects
of our visit, and the wishes OF our people; md
our respected agent, who then was here, was de-
Putedto make an investigation and report ia re-
| lation thereto. On an invitation from him, we
submitted, in writing. full and detailed state
hent of the nature and extent Of our claims, and