Cherokee Phoenix

CHEROKEE NATION, July 2d, 1830

Published July, 10, 1830

Page 3 Column 4b-5b

CHEROKEE NATION, July 2d, 1830

Mr. Boudinott Editor Cherokee Phoenix.

Sir-- The scrap of extracts communicated to the Cherokees by the War Department through the United States Agent for their 'Information and reflections,' and requested by him to be published in your paper, I have perused. This document is stamped throughout with all the features of unyielding and grinding policy hitherto manifested by the present administration to our people. It refers to former documents from the Government, which have so obviously shown the advantages of Cherokee emigration, as 'to need no further efforts to make it better understood, at least in the way in which it has been done in the past.'

If these have been any eloquent arguments wasted by General Jackson upon our ears, they came but ill accompanied with facts to convince, and counteracted by his open withdrawal of all protection due our nation, guarantied to it by the laws and treaties, which were in wholesome operation at his inauguration. Now he tells us, if we choose to remain on our native land, the consequences of the operation of state laws will be chargeable to us, and to nobody else.

Sir, we disdain such language as the voice of friendship. At least I, as an individual disdain it.

When the states tyrannically and compulsively throw their withering laws into this nation without our consent, and blast the wealth of our people, and consign to ruin all the fruit of our labor for years past, at whose door does the sin of consequence lie? When states deny to us the liberty of speech and freedom of action in our own country, and point to jails and penitentiaries as the penalties of their exercise, are the Cherokees to blame for that also?-

The President must know but little of the responsibility of his office, when he is commanded by the law to keep out intruders, prevent surveys, and protect the Indians on their lands, if he can see the law openly violated, and declare himself VERY CLEAR of guilt and innocent of the 'consequences' of his withdrawal of that protection exercised by former Presidents towards our people. He tells us to prepare to abide the issue of such new relations 'without any hope that he will interfere.'- We are connected with the United States by treaty, in which we are bound to have no intercourse with any other sovereign whatever. I refer him to the Intercourse laws of the United States and the Cherokee Agency standing on the Banks of the Highwassee, a poor and palsied relic and monument of late Justice and intercourse of friendship with this people. The first are unrepealed; and the last is yet undemolished (sic) by Congress. Will they not present some obstacles to new, relations? But the Agent is directed further to say to the Cherokees, 'if they are disposed to treat with the General Government that liberal terms will be extended to them. Their limits beyond the Mississippi shall be enlarged.' We have no country there, and how can our limits be enlarged? Impossible. And if we wish limits, they could only be enlarged on the barren mountains and vallies (sic) of the West, on which nature only intended rude beasts should wander and savage man pursue his game. The chiefs are told that on the 20th or 30th inst. the President and Secretary of War will be at Nashville, ' invite them, if they desire it, to come with full powers to enter into treaty. Sir, I know better of the desires of the chiefs. But I recollect to have seen a letter from their delegation at Washington, who were sent to ask for mercy a t the President's house, which stated they had not been honored with any answer to their communications. At Nashville the oracle may be more propitious, but I should expect were they to go, that Indian Dirt must be thrown on the altar and the sacricers (sic) turn their faces to the setting sun to extort good answers.- I believe the people will endure a seige (sic) of all this persecution, and continue to call on Congress for help.

SOCRATES