Cherokee Phoenix

We should like the editor of the Cherokee Phoenix or some one of the northern philanthropists, to an

Published May, 8, 1830

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We should like the editor of the Cherokee Phoenix or some one of the northern philanthropists, to answer us, in plain terms, a very plain question-is this: Are there, at this time, five thousand Cherokee Indians, of full blood, within the territory? We unhesitatingly say, they are not. And if they be spotted, speckled, and ringstsreaked from run-colour (sic) to a clay-bank, were congregated, we doubt whether they could muster double that number. There might not have been much difficulty in obtaining the four thousand signatures (or rather his x mark) if John Ross gave the order; but it would be difficult, we suspect, to find twenty more now, who had not signed, and who were not compelled to do so nolens volens.-- Athenian, (Ga.)

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'Poor Devils'- This is the vulgar and approbrious (sic) epethet (sic) which Mr. Forsyth repeatedly applied to the Cherokees in presence of the Senate of the United States. If not respect of the body he was addressing, at least a regard to the feelings of the Cherokee Delegation, who have deterred Mr. F. from the use of such indecent and malignant language.- But when a man's temper survives his argument, he is very apt to supply his deficiency of thought with denunciatory (sic) epithets; but they are weapons of warfare more becoming a street wag than a grave Senator. If Mr. F. expects to sink the Cherokees in the estimation of the public, by calling them poor devils, he will find himself egregiously mistaken. He must resort to something more substantial than the mere railings of ribaldry, if he would convince this nation that the Indians are unworthy of the light of heaven.

American Spectator

If the Hon. John Forsyth succeds in subjecting these devils, he will then be, according to his own showing, 'the prince of the devils.' So at last we shall have worthy leader.

Editor Cher. Ph.

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Extract of a letter to the Editor of the Philadelphian, dated Mississippi, March 3d. '30.

My Dear Brother, - The repeated favours which I have received in your affectionate family; and the frequency with which I have defended you against the accusations of men of corrupt minds, have given you a permanent place in my remembrance.- Hoping to build up Mission-Sunday Schools in this great valley, I have left the Chickasaws, whose willing servant I have been for more than six months. At present the hearts of these brethren 'cry' because they think their 'great father the King of Mississippi' do not love them. They ask, 'What is this? When the white man was in trouble, so were we.-- When he had war, we stood beside him and shed our blood with his.- What is this? Does the old book tell him this?' The missionaries who partake of the scred bread and wine with these children of Jesus are partakers of their afflictions, and have never yet prayed for the success of the 'N. Y. Indian Board.'

AWFUL OCCURRENCE.

An event of a distressing nature took place at Cleaveland (sic), a few days since. As related by a gentleman of this place who was present, the circumstances are substantially as follow:- At an election of the Justice of the Peace, the result being favorable to the Jackson part, they took occasion to relieve their full and bursting hearts, by firing cannon. Not satisfied with an ordinary charge, they gathered up a large quantity of sand, and rubbish, which was rammed with violence up on the powder. They were cautioned against firing, but in vain. The young man who held the match was intoxicated. With an awful oath upon his tongue, he advanced and applied it. The cannon burst, and in a moment, he was sent into eternity. A piece of the cannon struck his body and raised it several feet in the air; he fell upon his back with his bowels gushed out. - Obs. ' Tel.