Cherokee Phoenix

CHEROKEE PHOENIX

Published July, 10, 1830

Page 3 Column 2b-4a

CHEROKEE PHOENIX.

NEW ECHOTA JULY 10, 1830

A letter from Col. M'Kenney is published in the last New York Spectator, in answer to the Arkansas letter published in our last. The Col. says, the government will not use powder and lead in removing the Cherokees. Maybe so. But will not the military be employed? Read Lieut. Frainer's order which will be found in our last.

__________

We are happy to inform the public that the Cherokees have been thus far very prudent and forbearing. Those at the gold mines particularly. For the good of the nation they are willing to endure insult and oppression. The community at large may be assured that violence will not be resorted to by the Cherokee people. For what individuals do the nation cannot be responsible.

_____________

We give place to the following communication of the agent as we received it.- What will the Cherokees do Will they go to Nashville and add another treaty to the long list to be violated? No. The great question, are treaties with Indians worth anything, must first be settled.- They are determined to stay until they receive a satisfactory answer; but the government must not suppose they agree to come under the laws of the states. The Council will meet at this place on Monday-we will not therefore anticipate the reply which will probably be given.

CHEROKEE AGENCY, 26, June 1830

Sir- I have just received a letter from the War Department the substance of which is contained in the following extracts and communicated to you for your information, reflections and that of the Cherokees generally, viz: 'The removal of the Cherokees and other advantages which would result to them from it, are so obvious, and have been so often explained, as to need no further efforts to make it better understood, at least in the way, in which it has been done in the past. If they as a People think it for their interest to remain in the States within whose limits they are and be subject to the laws of those States, the consequences whatever they may be, following their own choice, will be chargeable to no body but themselves, but it is made your special duty to inform the Cherokees, not their chiefs only, but the people, and in such mode as you may think proper to adopt, which shall be most likely to make the information General, that the President having no power to interfere, and oppose the exercise of the sovereignty of any state, over, and upon all who may be within the limits of any State, they will prepare themselves to abide the issue of such new relations without any hope that he will interfere--

But assure them at the same time that such power as the laws give him for their protection, shall be executed for their benefit, and this will not fail to be exercised in keeping out intruders; beyond this he cannot go; it is important that there should be no misunderstanding on the subject--Intruders will be kept out, but the states will not be interfered with, by the President, in exercising their laws over them, such, therefore, as will be satisfied to remain under these state laws will if they choose, remain, others who prefer to remove can do so; ' these will be supported by the Government in their removal free of any expense to them, and have a full, and just value paid for such improvements as they amy leave, that add real value to the soil, and maintained for one year after their arrival in the West, by which time they will have prepared, by opening farms, and otherwise, for the support of themselves and families; you can further say to them, if they are disposed to treat with the General Government, that liberal terms will be extended to them, their limits beyond the Mississippi shall be enlarged, and all things done for their protection and guidance and improvement, which the President may have the power to do, their limits in the West shall be surveyed, and marked so as to avoid any difficulty arising out of a confusion of lines, between them and neighboring Tribe.'- He has directed a suspension for the present of enrolling and emigration business and says.- 'The suspension of present operations, is designed to afford the Cherokees an opportunity to ponder on their present situation and to deliberate, calmly as to what is best for them to do. The President is their friend; he seeks not to oppress, or drive them, he feels for them as a Father feels for his children; and is deeply solicitous for their welfare.' The President wishes the Cherokees to be fully informed upon all points connected with their pending and future relations; he will not deceive them; and he wishes that no misunderstanding should exist, as between them and you. 'If they stay, it will be of their own free will; if they remove it will be of their own free will also, there will be employed no force, anyway, but the force of reason and parental counsel, unless it shall be to protect them in removing.'--

He also directs me that when the Cherokees shall have finally determined what course they will pursue, to inform the Department, of which you will be so good as to apprise me so soon as such determination is agreed on.- He also states to me that the President and Secretary of War will probably be at Nashville by the 20th or 30th of July next and says, 'If the Chiefs or Principal men of the nation desire to see the President upon the important matters which concern them, he will gladly see them, and frankly, and parentally communicate with them, in person, there. But if they cannot go willingly, and prepared with full powers to make a Treaty for removal, it will not be necessary for them to go, since in that way, only, can he assist them, promote their welfare, and establish their future prosperity. If the Chiefs shall come with this determination all their necessary expenses will be borne.'-

You see that I am directed to make known the statements contained in the above extracts not only 'to the chiefs but the people.' You will therefore oblige me by having this letter published in the Phoenix at my expense:

Respectfully Your Obt. Servt.

H. MONTGOMERY.

John Ross

Principal Chief Cherokee Nation