Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

employed by those who sought to possess themselves of the Indians' domain, and that the general government was prepared to allow them, storm-like, to beat upon this harrassed people-the ground on which the Board had rested their hope, gave way, and with it, all their plans and purposes. It being an article in its constitution "to co-operate with the federal government of the United States in its operation on Indian affairs, &c.," if the Board should move at all, it must have been in concert with this oppression, this literal war upon the rights and peace of the Cherokees; and not having been organized for any such purpose, there was no alternative left, but to stand still, and not operate at all.

If the foregoing, or something like them, were not the reasons why the Indian Board of New York never advanced a step after its formation, towards carrying out the humane object of its creaton, then I know not what the reasons were. I had been cut off from all official relations with the government, by command of President Jackson, before those outbreaks had reached the height of their enormity upon the peace and happiness, and rights of the Cherokees; and with that severance, fell my official relations and intercourse with this Board.

CHAPTER XI.

ABOMINABLE ABUSE OF POWER IN OUR RELATIONS WITH THE INDIANS.

Protection guarantied by treaty to the Indians-Some extracts from these treaties -How interpreted by Mr. Calhoun-Trampled upon by General Jackson-A Circular Address to the Indians-A very essential modification-A thrust at the Cherokees-Newspaper comments-Dr. Randolph in the fidgets-Leave of absence-Dismissed from office-Charges of defalcation-Four years persecution-Mr. Berrien's influence in the treatment of the Cherokees-The treaty (?) of New Euchota-Repudiated by the Cherokees-Force to be employed-General Scott-Ridge's apology for the New Euchota treaty-Formation of a new government west of the Mississippi-The Ridges and Boudinot killed-Refusal to recognize the Cherokee delegation at Washington-My interview with Mr. Poinsett-A new treaty proposed-Mr. Van Buren's objections—A diplomatic way of getting round them-A plan proposed to bring the Seminole war to a close-More diplomacy, ending in treachery-Vindication of John Ross-Further developments of the injustice done to the Cherokees-The treaty of Payne's Landing-Jackson's "talk"-Outrages upon the Florida Indians-Indian talk-Micanopy-Jumper-Osceola-The mad policy which provoked the Florida war.

THAT all encroachments upon the lands not ceded by the Indians to the United States, and all trespasses, were forbidden by the treaty, and that the authority and power of the United States were solemnly pledged to protect the Cherokees from intrusions and trespasses, &c., the treaties with that tribe, as well as others, make manifest.

The fifth article of the treaty of Washington, of the 27th of February, 1819, between John C. Calhoun, on the part of the United States, and a delegation of chiefs and head men of the Cherokee nation, duly authorized and empowered by said nation, contains this provision:-" And all white people who have intruded, or may hereafter in

[graphic][subsumed][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

trude on the lands reserved for the Cherokees, shall be removed by the United States, and proceeded against, according to the provisions of the act passed thirtieth of March, eighteen hundred and two, entitled an act to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes, and to preserve peace on the frontiers."

Well, what are the provisions of that act? There are several articles all binding upon the United States to protect the Indians, and under almost every variety of form in which these rights could be invaded.

The fifth article, however, contains enough of both obligation and power, for the full illustration of the Indian's rights and claims, and of the government's duty, in regard to them. It reads thus:-" And be it further enacted, That if any such citizen, or other person, shall make a settlement on any lands belonging, or secured, or granted, by treaty with the United States, to any Indian tribe, or shall survey, or attempt to survey such lands, or designate any of the boundaries, by marking trees, or otherwise, such offender shall forfeit a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars, and suffer imprisonment, not exceeding twelve months. And it shall, moreover, be lawful for the President of the United States to take such measures, and to employ such military force, as he may judge necessary, to remove from lands belonging or secured by treaty, as aforesaid, to any Indian tribe, any such citizen, or other person, who has made, or shall hereafter make, or attempt to make, a settlement thereon."

This act passed through all the forms of law, and was approved by Thomas Jefferson. So far as my experience went, or my knowledge, it was, from its passage till several months after General Jackson's accession to the presidency, regarded as the law of the land, and had been enforced, in good faith, by the government, as such.

One example, out of many, occurs to had encroached on the Cherokee lands.

[blocks in formation]
« ZurückWeiter »