Cherokee Phoenix

NEW ECHOTA

Published February, 28, 1828

Page 2 Column 5a

NEW ECHOTA

We publish today a part of a Report of a joint Committee, in the Legislature of Georgia on the Cherokee lands. We think it proper that those of our readers in this Nation, who have not seen this extraordinary document, should be informed of the proceedings of some of those we are accustomed to call, elder brothers. This report is drest with very strong language, and had we never before realized a similar specimen of 'moderation' rome that quarter, we should consider ourselves in a serious dilemma. The present would certainly be a troublesome time with us, if our welfare depended on the will of the Committee, we do not say the people of Georgia, for we are unwilling to suppose, that the principles contained in the report can ever meet with the approbation of the people of a Christian state. We have had our trials and difficulties never to find a resting place, never to enjoy a spot of ground which they can call their own, and which their white brethren will ever condescend to do them the kindness if not justice, to acknowledge as such. At such times as the present, we have been wont to look to the General Government for aid, and justice requires us to say, not in vain. We have full reason to believe that it will not now forsake us, and deliver us up to those who seek our hurt.-- We beg our readers to peruse the extract of the Report of the 'Committee on Indian Affairs,' in the House of Representatives which we publish to-day. Tho' an appropriation of $50,000 is recommended, to extinguish the Cherokee title to lands within the chartered limits of Georgia, yet we cannot but admire the liberality with which the Committee were evidently actuated.--There is a striking contrast between the two reports.

_____________________________________

CONGRESS

Nothing very important has been done as yet in Congress in regard to Indian affairs, so far as has come to our knowledge, and we presume nothing very decided will be effected during this session. We hope the kind feelings of the General Government towards the Indians will be continued, notwithstanding the hot talk of the Legislature of Georgia. Our readers may hope that this will be the case, from the following extract of the report of the Committee on Indian Affairs in the House of Representatives.

The committee recommend that a further sum of $50,000 be made and placed at the discretion of the President, to aid such other Indians as may be disposed to emigrate to the west of the Mississippi; and that the President be authorized and empowered, out of said last mentioned appropriation, to extinguish the title of the Cherokee Indians to any land within the limits of the State of Georgia, at any time when he may be able so to do, 'upon peaceable and reasonable terms'. This the United States are bound, by compact with the State of Georgia, to do; and the committee are of opinion, that the United States are bound in good faith to the citizens of the State of Georgia, to hold themselves in readiness at all times to fulfil said engagement.-- They, therefore, recommend the aforesaid appropriation, as applicable to that object, and to aid the said Cherokee Indians, and such other Indians as may be disposed, to emigrate as aforesaid. The committee beg leave to refer to a report made by them to the House of Representatives during the present session, (No. 67.) which is intimately connected with this subject; and also to certain resolutions of the Legislature of the State of Georgia. A report of a committee of that body, as contained in document No. 102, was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs, ' which is calculated to explain the necessity of this appropriation.

The Committee therefore submit the following resolution:

Resolved. That the sum of $25,124 be appropriated for the objects specified in the estimates from the Treasury Department, marked 'submitted,' and that $50,000 be appropriated for the aid of the Creek Indians in their removal west of the Mississippi; and the further sum of $50,000 to enable the President of the United States to extinguish the title of the Cherokee Indians, when it can be done upon 'peaceable and reasonable terms,' and to aid said Cherokees, and such other Indians as may disposed, to emigrate west of the Mississippi.