Cherokee Phoenix

The Washington Globe of the 3d inst. contains a correspondence between the SECRETARY OF WAR, and Mes

Published February, 2, 1833

Page 2 Column 3b

The Washington Globe of the 3d inst. contains a correspondence between the SECRETARY OF WAR, and Messrs KING, MADRIS and CLAY, members of Congress from the State of Alabama, in reference to the course which the Government will pursue towards the white settlers on the Indian lands in that State, ceded by the late treaty. It will be remembered that reservations are not to be selected after survey for the exclusive use of the Indians. The Representative from Alabama stated that the treaty does not seem to contemplate the removal of any of these settlers, necessarily, 'unless they shall have trespassed on the improvements made by and actually in the possession of the Indians.' They ask, therefore, that no removals be required, from sections 'where the settler occupies under contract of purchase or lease from the head of the family, and that no removal be required at all until thirty days after the selection of the Indian reservations.'

Governor Cass replies that the Government wishes to avoid all unnecessary severity towards the settlers; but it is his duty 'to preserve the public faith, and to fulfil, on the part of the United States, those compacts under which the Indians cede very important and valuable rights.' He thereupon explains, that person who have obtained peaceable possession of the land upon which they live, and do not retain it to the exclusion of any just Indian title, may retain it until the Indian reservations are selected, but must remove from the reservations within thirty days thereafter.

Balto. Amer.