Cherokee Phoenix

This issue in two pages only

Published December, 9, 1832

Page 2 Column 4b

This issue in two pages only

CHEROKEE PHOENIX

NEW ECHOTA. Nov. 24, 1832

(This is the date on the paper. Should probably be Dec. 8)

Governor Lumpkins (sic) continues to distribute to the citizens of Georgia, by the lottery wheel the lands and gold mines of the Cherokee Nation. The preceding two or three weeks we have been the spectators of proceedings by the citizens of Georgia, having no parallel in the history of mankind, and to our feelings of the most unnatural kind. If such a case was progressing in any other civilized country, than the North American Republic, however regardless it might be of its honor, for the sake of simple justice,and respect for the feelings of mankind, we believe such proceedings as we have been compelled to witness, would be promptly prohibited. The fortunate drawers ( so called) of our lands have been passing and repassing single and in companies, not unlike that of John Galpins race to the country seat, in search of the splendid lots of which the rolling wheel had pictured to their imaginations. Ho sir, where is the nearest line to this place, what district, number, corner, lot, station, 'c. are the impertinent questions forced upon us. When we see the pale faces again, they are closely viewing the marked trees, and the carved posts. The gold drawers have been arriving at the gold mines, and they are compared to the great flocks of pigeons that hasten to the ground in search of their food. Every lot has been viewed, and as many paths beaten by the passing and the cross passing hunters. The Pica man in Georgia is now richer, the poor Georgia orphans have drawn Gold lots belonging to the oppressed Cherokees. Esqr._____ has been lucky, he has drawn a rich lot in the bottoms of the Etaw-wah ' Chattachooshy (sic) Rivers. Mr._____ will be relieved from his embarrassments he has drawn a first rate lot and is worth hundreds of dollars. These are a few of the deeply absorbing subjects which engross the conversations of the Georgia circles, and it would seem as thoughtlessly of the Cherokee claim to the property, as if they never existed. Such is the progress of the Georgia measures, that the drawer of our lands are now entering the Nation to settle on them, at a time when they are in the possession of the aboriginal proprieties, and their right to them unrelinquished. To this invasion of our property we protest; and we state to our readers, our right to the lands, money has never bought. We hold the bond and seal of the republic to protect this property. We have stricken off from our nation province after province in consideration of this promised protection.

The Indian Bill of 1830, sanctioned by Pres't Jackson himself 'provides that the existing treaties with the Indian tribes shall not be violated.'

The Supreme Court have decided that our treaties are binding on the Government and the laws of Georgia are a nullity.

The Superior and Inferior Courts of Georgia have decided that the right of soil belongs to the Cherokees, and the law of Georgia to the contrary notwithstanding. Let us therefore calmly await and see if the Government will not yet acquiesce in the numerous authorities we have cited, from which we claim our relief or whether the government will choose to have their laws nullified by a state as the easiest mode of releasing itself from enforcing them.

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We should have stated before this, the suspension by the President, of enrolling the Cherokees by his travelling agents for removing them west of the Mississippi. These agents after performing the difficult service of nearly two years in traversing the settlements of the Cherokee mountains and vale,nook and corner, of paths and hog trails, in search of Cherokees for emigration, the President found that the project was not so successful as he anticipated in a message to Congress that 'two thirds of the Cherokees would remove west of the Mississippi' and hence it is presumed the discharge of his agents from the service. The number of Cherokees white men, colored, and slaves removed since the commencement of their enrollment, may be computed at the one fortieth part of our whole population, so that the decrease falls considerably short of the increase of our population. At these rates, President Jackson never can succeed in removing the Cherokees west of the Mississippi under the present policy. The improvements abandoned by the emigrants which were generally on the Georgia frontier, are now occupied by numerous Georgians composed of farmers, judges, sheriffs, bailiffs, merchants, and tipplers introducing great quantities of spirituous liquor in opposition to the laws of the United States, and sanctioned by President Jackson. This is the first President who has encouraged his citizens to violate the laws which he was solemnly sworn to have executed.

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The elections of electors in the several states for President and Vice President of the United States have resulted in the election of a large majority favorable to the present administration. President Jackson will be President again for the term of four years commencing from the 4th of March 1833.