RUNNING WATERS, CHER. NATION,

10th September, 1831

MR. BOUDINOTT,

Sir,- The information received here, of the further hostile outrage, committed by the Georgia Guard upon our defenseless citizens, you will perceive by the enclosed is confirmed. It came to the Principal Chief by express, and from the original, I obtained this extract, which you will please to publish. Mr. Ross will make it a subject of communication to the President. But will the 'rearing lion' feel compassion for the plaintive wailings of the victims of his prey? Contrary to all moral, conventional, or international law have this people been oppressed, and now their sufferings are approaching to a climax.- Dragged in chains often, have they been; now they are fired upon with arms and blood has been shed, under the official instruments of Georgia. But from the President, we may not expect justice, but a lecture, from the text of this bloody transaction, on the propriety of an emigration to the western wilderness. 'Who is there to weep for Logan? No not one!'

Your friend,

JOHN RIDGE.

HICKORY LOG DISTRICT, C.N.

Sep. 1831

MR. JOHN ROSS,

Sir,- I wish to inform you of another hostile outrage committed by the Georgia Guard some few days since. There was a command ordered to the upper mines. While on that route, scouring the woods, they found a couple of Indian boys on Bags Branch and shot at them, but did no damage: the boys made their escape by rushing into the wilderness. The Guard extended their search far and wide; and found another native on Terrel's Mill Creek alone, and as they (the Guard) supposed had been at work digging for gold. On the approach of the Guard, he, the Indian, fled when orders were given to shoot him. Fortunately for the poor sufferer he was not shot until the third fire which brought him to the ground. The ball or shot struck him near the butt of the thigh, ranging forward to the cap of the knee where it was taken out by a doctor. It was flattened somewhat like as if it had struck a bone but did not brake (sic) it.- The Indian was then taken to Reuben Daniel's and left there. This scout being under the command of Sergeant Brooks, left the mines the next day for Head Quarters. Yesterday, I understood from a source, that can be relied on, that the Indian is not at Daniel's. Report says he has run away, but it is quite unlikely for any man to run or even to walk with such a wound as he had received from the Guard. We have some suspicious ideas of the affair. The Indian may have died and secreted by our friends.

And I further understand from a friend that the same command shot another Indian at or about the same time. This was stated by one of the Guard, that they shot two Indians, one in the thigh and the other through the body. And he further stated, the one shot through the body was mortally wounded, but the certainty of the latter is unknown.

Now, Sir, I need not dictate to you, on such an occasion. I have been using my influence to prevent private revenge, thinking it to be the best policy. Not that there has been any such intention expressed, by any, but we all know the disposition of human nature, when blood has been shed. If this Indian should be found, it may create some excitement, which would require yours and other influence to prevent a revenge.

Yours with respect and a friend to Indian rights.

The suspicion as to the fate of the young man shot in the thigh, we have since understood, is not well founded. He was but slightly wounded and has returned home. We have heard nothing as to the other. If he has been shot, we hope it has not caused his death. One fact is important to be remembered. This act has been done since the decision of Judge Clayton, that the Cherokees have a right to dig gold on their land, the law of Georgia to the contrary notwithstanding.- EDITOR.