CHEROKEE PHOENIX

NEW ECHOTA, APRIL 5, 1834

We have not taken up our pen to address our readers, an article of course billingsgate against any one of our people, nor to calumniate any one who dares to oppose our policy towards the General Government, but it is incumbent upon us, as likewise it is important, that we should notice the movements of some of our distinguished citizens, in relation, we may venture to presume here, to effect some arrangements with the General Government, to put to rest the present most unhappy state of things existing in the Cherokee country.

The Indians of the best informed class, last year, within Tennessee, and North Carolina, (their numbers not known,) enrolled for emigration ' speculation on the Government, by making large improvements previous to enrollment, preparatory to a high valuation which had been promised them by the agents. Last December, these emigrants held a convention at the Agency, to nominate a delegation to Washington, (alias Kitchen Chiefs,) for the object of entering into some arrangements with the President, to secure to themselves their interest to the soil in the Cherokee country. The meeting adjourned after the appointment of eight members. Being self-appointed, they were vested in course with unlimited powers. The day was fixed for proceeding on their mission, but these Mississippi speculators became divided, and a majority failed to proceed. Three members however, reached Washington, one after another, headed by Andrew Ross. Although Don Pedro was fighting his Brother with cannon and sword, we hoped that Andrew would not oppose his brother at Washington- (the Principal Chief,) attending to the interest of the Cherokees. These self-constituted delegates knowing the President had placed the deposits into his own hands, they imagined that money grew on bushes at the White House, and would be measured to them by a treaty. But it appears that they were found by the President to be destitute of the science of governments, Gen. Jackson, despatched Ross back to the Nation to be perfected. He arrived in post haste in this part of the country about a fortnight back, and went into secret conclave with Messrs. Ridge and Boudinot, leaders of the weak rabble; the latter, we should have bee pleased to have exempted from this remark, as a gentleman of unexceptionable talents, it would have been fortunate for us to have received his acts otherwise. They have then it appears, accepted an appointment from Andrew Ross, to proceed to Washington as agents of the President, to join in the White House sports; for they have received no authority from the Cherokees, to this course, Major Ridge, Boudinot, and Ross the Emigrant set out on last Monday in the capacity of a delegation, to be supported by the President. Considerable excitement has arisen among the Cherokees here in consequence of this movement, it being the firm belief that the President of the United States, since he has been travelling out of his constitutional road, in order to rid himself of the Cherokee question would stoop down and treat with a fraction of the people, and having now four years annuities in his own hands and due the Cherokees, the President might assume the power to carry a treaty into execution without previously submitting it to the Senate, and by this means, force the Nation into his measures. But we are told that these agents of the President disclaims any intention of treating away the country. Whatever power the President may recognize in these persons as competent to act, touching the interest of the Cherokees, we have to protest against all their acts whatsoever they may be affecting our rights, as unauthorized by the Cherokees, without precedent, and as subversive of our social harmony, and as certain as any coming event can be, the Cherokees will not submit to their acts.

On the other hand, we have commenced the prosecution of our agricultural pursuits under circumstances of great depression. The grant holders of our lands have been arriving and taking our fields, and becoming intruders on our own soil. Human nature being absolutely incapable of bearing the present state of things in our country, we have to express our deep conviction, that the crisis have arrived that something must be done for the relief of the Cherokee people. But let this be done by the act of the Nation, and not by agents created by the President. Therefore, we close these remarks with an abiding solicitude for the welfare of the Cherokees, we must be prepared to submit patiently to our destiny, created by avarice-created by the power of wickedness.

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In addition to what we have remarked in relation to the new agents of the President who have proceeded to Washington to visit him, it is known that such cases have occurred for two years past-to have a counter delegation at the city, but destitute of the common authority vested in delegations to transact the business of the Nation. That this is the fact in the present instance will not admit of the least qualification. The movement is at this time unknown to the people,excepting in this part of the country, will likewise be admitted by all. Under these circumstances the President has heretofore thought proper not to enter into arrangements with these minority agents for cession of the Nation. It was thought here so soon as these agents, were known to be on the eve of proceeding, considerations interesting to the Nation would justify their arrest, for calling a small meeting preparatory to their mission. But the secret manner in which this meeting had been conducted, and the short time which they had given themselves for proceeding on the mission, was sufficient to baffle all opposition. In the meantime they have assured a few leading men in order to soften the feeling against them, that no injury to the Nation shall result from their mission. The Georgians then are on the tip toe rejoicing with the prospect of a Treaty, a Treaty, to be made in six weeks. It is rumored much ' where there is some smoke there is also some fire, that the President has communicated officially to the Governor of Georgia that a treaty will now be effected with the Cherokees. But we have to state again that we shall not submit to a treaty made without the consent of the Cherokees.