Cherokee Phoenix

CHEROKEE PHOENIX

Published October, 30, 1830

Page 3 Column 2b

CHEROKEE PHOENIX

NEW ECHOTA OCT.30, 1830

The two Houses of the Genl. Council of the Cherokee Nation adjourned last Tuesday evening after a session of little more than two weeks. We did not think it a matter of great importance to publish a full journal of their proceedings-we have furnished our readers with the most interesting part, the Message of the Principal Chief, and the correspondence with the Special Agent.

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During the latter part of the first week of the Council, a gentleman by the name of Bogan, from Gwinnett County, Georgia, was at this place, engaged, as he said, in taking census under an act of Congress. As this act, and the Constitution of the U.S. expressly exclude Indians not taxed, we felt very little inclination to give in. He met but a poor success here. It appears on his return home, he was arrested by the United States' troops, after being stabbed in the breast with a bayonet. This was done at Phillips' on the Alabama Road, where, we are told, he spoke rather harshly on the conduct of the troops towards the intruders, declaring that he would not allow himself to be taken by them, for they were but a set of robbers-that if they did take him, he would take them in turn, by collecting the militia of Gwinnett County, and if one County could not do he would muster six. A Lieutenant heard all this, and soon after had him arrested. So the report goes, which we presume is substantially correct. It appears Mr. Bogan has been up to his words in some respects, for a gentleman who left Laurenceville last Monday says, that a company was about to be formed in the county of Gwinnett, for the arrest of those men by whom he was taken. We shall soon know the result.

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CHOCTAWS.

By this week's mail we received a letter from a gentleman of the highest respectability, residing in the Choctaw Nation, from which we learn further particulars respecting the late treaty effected by the Secretary of War and General Coffee.- The consequence of such a treaty, effected at such a time, ' by such means, as we have reason to fear, the Choctaw treaty has been, may well be dreaded. The following facts communicated by the gentleman alluded to above ought to claim the particular attention of every reader.

This nation is, at this time, in a wretched situation, as are also the Chickasaws. Treaties have been made with the Chiefs of these nations, by which they are to relinquish their country and remove to the western wilderness. The common people are almost universally dissatisfied and distressed. A few of the principal men are quieted. Should the treaty with the Choctaws be ratified, and no further provision made for the poor, there will be great injustice and great suffering; and numbers will no doubt perish. I cannot but feel a confidence that a redeeming spirit will yet be found in the justice and humanity of our national legislature. They have it in their power to wipe off the foul stain that is about to be fixed upon the American character.

Intemperance is again sweeping through this part of the nation, and the Chickasaw Nation, as with the besom of destruction; and there are none to arrest its progress. In the last named nation, it is said by people who have long resided there, such a scene of intoxication was never before witnessed, as was exhibited during the distribution of the annuity, a week or two since. Many in despair, seen to have given themselves up as lost; and seek to drown their sorrows by intoxication. The chiefs are either afraid, or indisposed, to use any efforts to suppress it.

After the treaty was made with the Chickasaws, the agent of that nation issued a printed circular in which he says, 'Instructions which must be regarded have been received from the Secretary of War, directing me to prohibit any person from settling upon the Indian land, it will of course become my duty to arrest and place in the hands of the Marshals of Alabama and Mississippi all who becoming intruders shall thereby violate the provisions of the Indian intercourse act of 1802.' About the same time, the Choctaws were told if they did not make a treaty,the agent should be removed, and they could have no protection from the United States.

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The two following notes, addressed to Col. John Lowrey, Special Agent of the government, were omitted last week--they form a part of the correspondence we published.

New Echota,, C.N.

19th Oct. 1830

Sir:- Your note of this date has been submitted for the consideration of the General Council, and in return I have received a note through the President of the Committee, a copy of which I enclose for your information--permit me to add that I am ready at any time to receive such communication as you may think proper to present for the consideration of the General Council.

I am sir, respectfully your obedient servant.

Jno. Ross.

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New Echota, C. N.

Oct. 22d. 1830

Sir:- The General Council have deliberated upon the subject of your propositions submitted through me for their consideration,and the enclosed document contains the result of that deliberation, which is submitted for your information. The Cherokees have long since come to the conclusion never again to cede another foot of land, and of this determination there is abundant proof to be found among the public documents in the offices of the General Government. The President was addressed upon this subject fully at Nashville last summer, thro' the Agent; and they now only ask from the General Government the protection of those rights which have been solemnly guarantied to them under former treaties. The offer of new guaranties can be no inducement to treat.

I am sir,very respectfully your obedient servant.

Jno. Ross.

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The Political Clarion gives the following as Toasts drank at a Public Dinner in Berrien County (Georgia) on the last anniversary of Independence. They are savage enough, certainly, and, if at all charcateristic of the People of that county, the county ought certainly to be baptized by a more appropriate name. Nat. Int.

'Frelinghuysen of New Jersey-May he be executed by an Indian, and buried by his dictator, Daniel Webster.'

'Daniel Webster, of Mass. May his passage to Washington City, to the next Congress, be obstructed by thorns and should he arrive, may his food be Indian's flesh, and served up by an African.'