CHEROKEE PHOENIX.

NEW ECHOTA FEB.18, 1832

We understand a part of the Arkansas Cherokee delegation, passed through this nation a few days since. They left the Agency on the 12th inst. for Washington. They consisted of Messrs. Alex Sanders, Thos. Maw, The Rain Crow, and Andrew M. Vann.

A part of the emigrants, from the neighborhood of Sumeg embarked at the Agency on Sunday last for their destination west of the Mississippi, the remaining greater part are not likely to leave soon; we see no preparation making on their part for removal. We have not heard the exact number who have enrolled for removal, but report says there are about 500 souls.

_______________________________

MR. VAN BUREN

The Senate rejected the nomination of Mr. Van Buren as minister to England on the 25th ult, the National Intelligence says. By what vote is not known, but it is rumored by the casting vote of the Vice President'

______________________________________

It appears to be the impression of some people that the Editor of the Cherokee Phoenix was sent as one of the delegation to Washington--The principal object of his tour thro' the States is to solicit pecuniary assistance to supply the present exigencies of the Cherokee:-as the funds of the Nation are exhausted on account of the refusal of the President to pay into their National Treasury the annuity as formerly.

___________________________________

INDIAN EMIGRATION

Was once a fruitful topic of discussion, which has since been narrowed down to the naked question of Indian rights. Those who first advocated the removal of the Indians beyond the states ' territories acted upon honorable grounds. They believed, conscientiously believed, that it would be for the benefit of the Indians, but at the same time felt themselves bound; and were disposed to protect their rights where they were, according to the provisions of the laws and treaties. Mr. Monroe was of that number. There was nothing then revolting in the propositions made to the Cherokees.--They could act voluntarily and as their judgment would dictate. They refused to accept of those propositions principally upon the ground that there was not suitable land for them west of the Mississippi,---that is, that part of it which has been designated as the future residence of the various tribes. We do not mean to intimate that the Cherokees would have consented to remove if a country of equal value to the one on which they live had been offered to them. Their natural attachment to the land of their fathers would probably have been a sufficient a consideration to induce them to remain where they are.

But the measures which have since been put in operation instead of effecting the very object they were intended to produce, have created insuperable obstacles, so far as the Cherokees are concerned. It is a universal truth, we believe, that a man is to be won by kindness.--It is hard even for the most degraded to be forced to do anything contrary to his judgment. The coercive measures, therefore, of the General Government and the State of Georgia have only made the Cherokees ten times more determined to cling to their country. Besides, the matter is now placed on the broad ground of principle. The executive of the United States comes to the Cherokees and says-'You must remove to the west of the Mississippi--you cannot live as a people where you are-I cannot protect you from the operation of the acts of Georgia-she has a right, as a sovereign state, to do as she pleases, and notwithstanding the laws and treaties of the United States make it my duty to employ the military power of the Union to defend you against all aggression, yet these laws and treaties are not binding-they are unconstitutional. But if you will remove to the west of the Mississippi, there the land shall be guarantied to you by treaty as long as 'the grass grows and the water runs,' and 'you shall be protected from all invasion.' Now such propositions to say the least, are degrading. Trust a man who has once deceived you? Accept of a guaranty made upon the violation of another? If treaties and laws are not binding here what security have we that they will be binding beyond the Mississippi? The Cherokees must naturally argue in that manner and such an argument is unanswerable. So far, therefore, the Cherokees are right in refusing to accept the propositions of the Government.

We cannot undertake to say what they would do if the United States were to come to them in a truly honorable way, ' say to them-'We are bound in good faith by our own treaties and laws to protect your rights against all persons whatsoever. The Government has so obligated itself thus to protect you, and it is determined to fulfil its engagements let the consequences be what they may. But you see Georgia is determined to pursue the course she has taken-she is bent upon distressing you-she is headstrong and may even go so far as to disturb the peace of our common country. Therefore, for your own good, and for the safety of the United States we wish you to emigrate. We have a country west of the Mississippi which we propose to give you in exchange for yours, and which we will guaranty to you and your children as long as 'the grass grows or the water runs.' If such were the propositions of the Government to the Cherokees the case would be very different from what it is now.

But where is the country, supposing the Government was disposed to acknowledge the force of treaties and to do ample justice, to which the Cherokees could retire? There is no such country between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains.--The fact of an application being made to the Choctaws for a portion of their new country, for the benefit of the Chickasaws proves that there is no land there for the Cherokees. They are too well informed of the nature of the western wilds to be induced to go there. That portion of the Cherokees who will have the same difficulties even if their country was really good, to contend with as we have; and we understand that their only hope consists in the future dismemberment of the territory of Arkansas.- That is, they suppose the Government may be induced, in a grand treaty with the Cherokees east of the Mississippi to give that territory, or at least a large portion of it to those Cherokees, and thus prevent it from becoming a State. Such a hope can never be realized.--A government which permits intrusions upon Indian lands in violation of its own treaties and laws will never dismember its territories for the benefit of the Indians.

Where is then the country on which the Cherokees might be settled to their satisfaction, if they were disposed or compelled to remove? We repeat- there is none between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains. The truth may therefore be as well told now as at any other time-If they are ever compelled to remove they will take their march for the plains of Columbia River or for some foreign country.