The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-02-02

committed, Colonel Montgomery went into their
country, at the head of an army for the pur-
pose OF ehastising them, but his army was cut
up, and he was obliged to return without ac-
comprising his mission. The following year,
Colonel Grant, with al army composed Of Brit
ish troops and provincial militia, again made
campaign against the Chefokees. The In
dams met him with an army fifty thousand
strong, which was conquered and put to fight
The English pursued them through their coun-
try, Staying all whom they CHANGED to overtake
Old men and women, maidens and children,
were unfortunately slaughtered, their villages
and huts were burned, their crops DESTROYED
their cattle slain, and their whole country laid
waste. The winter season was near at hand
and starvation and misery stared them in the
face. Thus were conquered the proud Cha
loques.
After the war of Independence, they were
settled in the State of Georgia, with the solemn
assurance that, as long as they remained loyal
to the United s:ssstes, they shonld never be mo-
Tested in their homes. Missionaries were sent
among them to teach the truths of the Gospel
They were taught to own and work slaves, but
not to work themselves. The most degraded
and vicious of the white race found their way
among them, and by example and precept
taught them drunkenness, prohigacy, and all
manner OF vices peculiar to cioilized ~ state
of society.
During the residence of the Cherokees on
their reservation in Georgia, many of them i'm
proved III some respects whites came among
them and intermarried. But the white popula-
ton of the State was fast Increasing, and the
people began to clamor for the extinguishing
of all Indian titles to lands lying within. the
limits of their State, and a removal of all In
dams then in the State to the Mississippi
country. The Cherokees at that time exercised
an independent dominion within their reserva
tons, and claimed to be exempt from the laws
OF Georgia. I he Georgians being averse to
this state of affairs, their Legislature proceeded
to extend its laws and jurisprudence over all
Indian reservations within the boundary of the
State. The Indians, considering themselves ag-
grieved by such acts of palpable usurpation,
appealed to the General Government for re-
dress. But the Administration, at that time
favorable to the removal of the Cherokees,
winked at the wrongs heaped upon them, and
would do nothing TO check irregular proceed
ings.
The people of Georgia, aware of the sent-
ments and policy of the President, resolved to
make the home of the Cherokees too hot for
them, and, by system Of continual persecu-
ton, force them to the far West 1t was aver
fcu tIdl bDelT RESERVATIONS 1urnlS0eO a retreat
for runaway slaves and fugitves from Justice ;
that they were incapable of civilization, and
only cumberers of the soil which ought to be
appropriated to the use of their superiors, the
white men.
Even their agent seems to have been preiu-
diced against them, and to have been on the
side of their expressing neighbors. At least,
we find that in his official reports he speaks of
their prospects in very discouraging manner,
unwarranred by the real state of affairs and
facts that could have been adduced in their
favor. He represented to the Administration
that there was principle Of repulsion in
ceaseless activity, operating through all their
institutions, which would ever prevent them
from approaching or adopting any other modes
of life, or any other habits of thought or
action but those which have descended to
theDistrorps . herr ancestors.
Missionaries Of the Gospel laboring among
them, were taken up on suspicion of dissuading
them against the removal, and thrown in prison
by the Georgians Nothing was left undone
that could be done, either to induce or force
the Cherokees to emigrate to the wilds of the
trans Mississippian regions.
AT length, treaty was obtained by the
agents of the General Government from a few
of the chiefs, and the removal of the whole
tribe was determined upon. But the fairness
of the treaty was denied by the great majority
OF the Cherokees. They were averse 10 leaving
their pleasant homes and the graves of their
| fathers-the land they loved, and where they
were living comfortably, and making such
rapid strides toward civilization However,
their, removal was finally effected without
bloodshed, as was for a time seriously feared
and twenty odd years ago. they arrived in the
beautiful country they now occupy, and which,
by the most solemn and binding treaty stipula-
tons with the Federal Government, they are
assured they can possess and hold, without an
interfering claim, as long as the grass grows or
the water runs, aud where they are promised to
be protected aud shielded from all encroach-
ments.
At this time, there can be no doubt but that
their removal from the State of Georgia was
for the best, and has proved vastly beneficial to
the nation. And yet this fact does not excul-
pate our Government or our people from their
many acts of bad faith, of injustice, and Of OPP
preston.
l have thus given retrospective glance at
the past history of the Cherokees, that ] may
hereafter contrast their present state of cvili-
zation and refinement with their former position
and opportunities.
Where is the humanitarian who does not de-
light to watch the progress of people rising
up ont of the depths of ignorance, superstition,
degradation and poverty, into the light of Cos
pei truth, civilization, and refinement?
Guy OAELEAF.