Cherokee Phoenix

CHEROKEE PHOENIX

Published May, 15, 1830

Page 2 Column 5

CHEROKEE PHOENIX.

New Echota: May 15, 1830

Our readers will perceive, from the proceedings of the Senate, that the bill reported by Mr. White has passed that body and the amendments proposed by Mr. Frehinghuysen rejected! It has been a matter of doubt with us for some time, whether there were sufficient virtue and independence in the two houses of Congress, to sustain the plighted faith of the Republic, which has been most palpable sacrificed by the convenience of the Executive. Our doubts are now at an end- the August Senate of the United States of America, (tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon,) has followed the heels of the President, and deliberately laid aside their treaties. They have declared that they will not be governed by these solemn instruments, made and ratified by their advice and consent. When it comes to this, we have indeed fallen upon evil times. Very soon the House of Representatives will decide, if it has not already decided, on this important question. It is much to be feared the Representatives of the people will not respond to the views and feelings of their constituents, but deliver their weak allies to their enemies. Be that as it may- let both Houses of Congress decide as they may, we confidently think justice will be done, even if the Cherokees are not in the land of the living to receive it-posterity will give a correct verdict. But we are not now making such an appeal-we hope we are not yet at the end of our row-we hope there is yet a tribunal where our injured rights may be defended and protected, and where self interest, party and sectional feelings have nothing to do.- Let then the Cherokees be firm and united- Fellow citizens, we have asserted our rights, we have defended them thus far, and we will defend them yet by all lawful and peaceable means.- We will no more beg, pray and implore, but we will demand justice, and before we give up and allow ourselves to despondency, we will, if we can, have the solemn adjudication of a tribunal, whose province is to interpret the treaties, the supreme law of the land. Let us be firm and united.

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The following needs no comment. It seems the laws of Georgia are not rigid enough-the citizens must therefore resort to the rod, without trial or jury, to correct the poor Indians.

Hail Columbia happy land!

At a meeting of fifty-three citizens of Randolph County, called in 24th district, for the purpose of adopting some rule or regulation to put a stop to the Creek Indians hunting and pilaging (sic) our country and destroying our stocks. The meeting being formed, the following resolutions were entered into:

Resolved, That in future if any Indian or Indians be found in this county hunting or passing with a gun or guns and camp equipage appearing for camping and hunting, it shall be the duty of the person or persons, so seeing or finding said Indian or Indians, to give immediate information to a sufficient number of the above citizens, and they shall proceed to take from them their arms and all property found with them and inflict on their backs not exceeding fifty lashes with a hickory or cowskin and order them over the Chattahoochee, and if they do not immediately proceed to go and is found lurking or apparently way laying the party he shall receive double his first punishment.

Resolved, That all the arms and other property taken from the Indians by this company, shall be publicly advertised and sold to the highest bidder, and the proceeds to go to the use of the county.

Resolved, that if any member of this company when called to turn out refuse or neglect to turn out to assist to detect Indians shall pay the sum of two dollars for each offence, unless he can give sufficient excuse.

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Columbus Enquirer in order that the agent and chiefs of the Indians may be apprised what will be the consequence if their subject follow their former practice.

WM. COOPER, Chairman,

Edmund C. Beard, Clerk.