CHEROKEE PHOENIX
Wednesday May 14, 1828
Volume 1 No. 12
Page 2 Col. 5b and Page 3 Co. 1
 

  NEW ECHOTA
  Wednesday May 14, 1828

 It has been frequently said, that the  treatment of the United States Commissioners of late, in this Nation, has been disrespectful and contemptuous.  We have always thought this an unwarrantable charge, originating from no other cause, but from the very fact of the failure of these Commissioners to attain their objects.  From the correspondence, a part of which we publish today, our readers will judge whether the authorities of the Nation have treated the United States Commissioners with any degree of disrespect.  We are sure it is far from the wish of our Citizens to be disrespectful.
________________________

 The Cherokee Constitution has produced a very mistaking idea in the minds of many persons, especially such as endeavor to take every advantage of the Indians.- To say that the Cherokees have declared themselves independent of the United States and violated, in their constitution, their connection with the General Government, would be doing them very great injustice: for the thought of such independence has never entered into their minds, as we already have had occasion to declare; and we hope a word to the wise and candid will be sufficient.  This constitution was adopted for the good of the Cherokee People, as their condition made it evident that they could not improve otherwise in legislation.  It did not originate in any desire of such independence as our treaties with the United States would not warrant.  We do not claim rights which do not belong to us, much less are we so blinded as to suppose, that we can within ourselves change our relation with the General Government.  Rights, however, we have, secured to us by treaties, and will the people of this enlightened land, emphatically called the land of freedom, deprive us of these few rights?

This transcription from the Cherokee Phoenix is presented as part of the historical record, and includes historical materials that may contain negative stereotypes or language reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place including terminology that may not be deemed appropriate today. While an effort has been made to verify the transcription against the original text, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Researchers are urged to match the transcription against the original article to authenticate exact quotes. Issues of the Cherokee Phoenix are available on microfilm. Please check your local library for availability or to inquire about interlibrary loan of a microfilm copy.

Send comments or questions to: George Frizzell
Special Collections . Hunter Library . Western Carolina University . Cullowhee, NC 28723 . 828-227-7474