Cherokee Phoenix

CHEROKEE PHOENIX

Published July, 23, 1831

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CHEROKEE PHOENIX

NEW ECHOTA JULY 23, 1831

We observed not long since that the people throughout the nation had signed a protest against the mode contemplated for the distribution of the annuity and that they had authorized Mr. John Martin to draw the money according to the manner heretofore practiced. Mr. Martin, we understand, sometime since went to the Agency and presented his papers which the Agent refused to accept, and gave as a reason that he must do his duty and comply with the instructions from the President, requiring him to pay to individuals, and not to the Nation. We supposed all along that no attention would be paid to those papers, but the Cherokees have done their duty in protesting against this little business of the Government. It has now become notorious that the wishes of a great majority of the individuals, for whose interest so much attention seems to be used by the great men at Washington, have been most shamefully disregarded. In these measures the object of the President is too obvious to be misunderstood.

We have heard the Agent has succeeded in inducing some individuals, the majority of whom are women; to remove their proportion of the annuity, fifty cents a piece! It is further said that most of them have taken corn (they preferred it we suppose) and the Agent has received the money.- It is a money making business for him and particular friends. We shall have occasion to recur to this subject hereafter.

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The captive missionaries were still in close confinement, at the station of the Georgia Guard, on the morning of the 14th instant. We have not understood whether they have since been delivered over into the hands of the civil authorities in Georgia.

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We forgot last week to state that Doct. Butler was considerably injured the evening of the same day he was arrested by a fall from a horse. It appears that he was riding with one of the men when the horse stumbled and fell, and came very near dislocating his neck, in consequence, as report says, of his being chained to the horse. It was a very dark evening and the man with whom he was riding was likewise injured.

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The white folks in the Nation, we mean those who have become Georgians, have lately had elections for Justices of the piece (sic) and constables, for the purpose of executing the laws of Georgia. The election for this sectional District was held at Mr. Dawson's on the Hightower. One of the Justices elected is, we understand JESSE SMITH, and one of the constables, JOHN ELLOT!! A Mr. Quinton was candidate, but was not permitted to be present, he being arrested a short time previous by some of the Georgia Officers, on a criminal charge-some say he lost his election, and was taken a day or two after.

Not long since a certain religious editor in Georgia intimated that Christianity required that humane laws and civilized and intelligent officers should supersede the barbarous laws of the Indians and their more than inhuman executors, so that the good people of Georgia 'should effectual be secure from the `Mock trials' and inhuman brutal treatment which some of them had received at the hands of the Cherokees.' We suppose now we have the remedy complete. The truth may as well be told now as at any other time- The officers of the law mentioned above as being elected are two of the biggest drunkards we have in the nation. Truth must be told, and if this is not sufficient we will reveal something more.

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Copy of a letter from Mrs. Butrick to Col. Sanford.

CARMEL June 13, 1831

COL. SANFORD,

Sir:- The orders that Mr. Butrick has of late received have caused him to go to labor in another part of the Nation, where we hope he will enjoy while there, the greatest privilege on earth, to him, that is, instructing the dear Cherokees. He came here to teach them the way to Eternal life, to preach the everlasting gospel of Christ, and in this employment his soul has been comforted. But now in this place he is denied this inestimable privilege. By whom? Not by any of the Cherokees, that is certain. Some of our neighbors, a few days since, were here, and said if it were their people that were taking such measures, they would to the greatest length possible to prevent such proceedings.

We wish to be considered as Cherokees, continue here as long as they do, have this people as our people, our God their God. To be separated from them would be like dislocating our very limbs. We have left near and beloved friends, dear they are to us to come here to instruct, and we hope for the salvation of this people. We would not be so groveling, so much like the busy world as to spend one hour in conversation with them about earthly prospects. But O their souls, their precious their never dying souls, their eternal interest, for this may we ever feel the greatest solicitude, and in this blessed work may we more vigorously be engaged. We do hope, we ask, we entreat, to have the privilege of laboring here at this place, for the good of this people.

Respectfully E. BUTRICK.