Cherokee Phoenix

NEW ECHOTA

Published September, 24, 1828

Page 2 Column 4a

NEW ECHOTA:

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 1828

The general Council of the Cherokee Nation will commence its session on the second Monday of next month.

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Mr. Ashmum, the friend of Africa ' late agent of the American Colonization Society, died in New Haven, Con. on Tuesday, the 26th ult. aged 34 years.

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The following letter from the citizens of Aquohee District, to William Hicks, Esq. will convey to the reader a pretty good specimen of the feelings of the inhabitants of this Nation, in regard to the present efforts made to remove them.

AQUOHEE DISTRICT, Sept. 11, 1828

TO WILLIAM HICKS, ESQ.

PRINCIPAL CHIEF, SIR:

We the citizens of the above named District, assembled at Hiwassee Town House, in consequence of information communicated to us, concerning the intended visit of our friend, the United States Agent, and two Arkansas Cherokee Chiefs.

We are all glad to find; that, our Elder Brother, the Principal Chief, holds fast his love to our country, and hereby with unanimous consent, thank him for his visit.

Our judgement is that it behooves us to stand fast; and to hold our lands for the benefit of our rising families. We consider it exceedingly vexatious, to be perpetually teased, to part with our inheritance, just as we are beginning to occupy a respectable standing in the estimation of Christians who know us, and who now possess the country, on which our fathers once reared and raised their children. Must our prospects be always blasted? We think our white brethren will answer, no.

We are determined to hold fast the land of our nativity. We do not wish to turn our feet from our original habitation, nor to move a step further towards the setting sun; our native soil being well watered and healthful.- We are happy when we rise in the morning, to behold all things look fresh and cheerful, and especially to see our children running to and fro, partly raised in our former old towns.

Parts of our lands, have, from time to time, been sold from under our feet: our wives and our children have been ousted, and our property scattered, till, in many instances, it has been all lost, and families reduced to want.- Our old men say they are fully determined to have their bones laid in these mountains. One of the old men from Damatlee says he never will agree to let go one inch more of land, although one of his old neighbors has undertaken the disgraceful task of endeavoring to deprive his people of house and home. He thinks the gentleman would have been better employed and perhaps as much respected, if he had stayed at home and attended to his own business. We do not wish to have such a character ranging through our country. We are persuaded the object of these gentlemen is nothing that will, in any way, benefit us. Therefore we do not wish their advice, nor thank them for their visit. And we assure the Arkansas Chiefs that they need not expect to find, in this District, a single Arkansas emigrant.

We join in assuring you of our attachment to yourself and to our country.

Signed on behalf of the whole.

JOHN TIMSON,

SAMUEL WARD,

WOOD PECKER, his X mark.

(In Cherokee) his X mark.

ROMAN NOSE, do.

(In Cherokee) do

(In Cherokee) do.

(In Cherokee) do.

(In Cherokee) do.

BALL TOWN GEORGE, do.

JOHN WELCH, do.

LOCUST, do.

(In Cherokee) do.

(In Cherokee) do.

In the presence of

SITUAGEE, do.