Head Quarters, Armt i
hf/rokf/r Nation, New c £
xitnota, Ga. March 22nd, 183r. j i
CHEROKEES: 1
It is nearly a year since I first arrived in this j
country. I then informed you of the objects of ray j
coming among you. I told you that a treaty had J
been made with jour people, and that your country {
was to be given up to the United States by the 25th j
May, 1838, a (little more than a year from this time,) <
when you would all be compelled to remove to the ;
West. I also told you, if you would submit to the ;
terms of the treaty I would protect you in your :
persons and property, at the same time I would
furnish provisions and clothing to lae poor and des¬
titute of the Nation. You would not listen, but
turned a deaf ear to my ad-rice. You prefered the
counsel of those who were opposed to the treaty.
" TEey told you, what was not true, that your people
had made no treaty with the United States, and that
you would be able to retain your lands, and vvouldnot
be obliged to remove to the West, the place desig¬
nated for your new homes. Be no longer deaeived
by such advice! It is not 011I5 untrue,t>ut if listened to,
may lead to your utter ruin. The President, as well as
Congress, have decreed that you should remove from
this country. The people of Georgia, of North Caro¬
lina, of Tennessee and of Alabama, have decreed it.
Your fate is decided; and if you do not voluntarily
get ready and go by the time fixed in the treaty, you
will then be forced from this country by the soldiers
of the United States.
Under such circumstances what will be your con¬
dition'! Deplorable in the extreme! Instead of the
benefits now presented to you by the treaty, of re¬
ceiving pay for the improvements of your lands, your
houses, your cornfields and your ferries, and for all
the property unjustly taken from you by the white
people, and at the same time, blankets, elothing and
provisions for the poor, you will be driven from the
country, and without a cent to support you on your
arrival at your new homes. YoO will in vain flee
to your mountains for protection. Like the Cfeeks,
you will be hunted up and dragged from your lurking
places and hurried to the West. I would ask, are
you prepared for such scenes'? I trust not. Yet
such will be your fate if you persist in your present
determination.
Cherokees: I have not come among you to oppresc
you, but to protect you and to see that justice is
done you, as guarantied by the treaty. Be advised,
and turn a deaf ear to those who would induce you
to believe that no treaty has been made with you, and
that you will not be obliged to leave your country.
They cannot be friends, but the worst of enemies.
Their advice, if followed, will lead to your certain
destruction. The President has said that a treaty
has been made with you, and must be executed
agreeably to its terms, The President never
changes.
Therefore, take my advice: It is the advice of a
friend, who would toll you the truth, and who feels
deeply interested in your welfare, and who will do
every thing in his power to relieve, protect and secure
to you the benefits of the treaty. And why not
abandon a couutry no longer yours? Do you not
see the white people daily coming into it, driving
you from your homes and possessing your houses,
your cornfields and your ferries? Hitherto I have
been able in some degree, to protect you from their
intrusions; in a short time it will no longer be in my
power. If, however, I could protect you, you could
not live with them. Your habits, your manners and
your customs are unlike, and unsuited to theirs.
They have no feelings, no sympathies in common
with yourselves. Leave then this country, which
after the 25th May 1838, can afford you no protec¬
tion ! and remove to the country desighated for your
new homes, which i9 secured to you and your children
forever; and where you may live under your own
laws, and the customs of your fathers, without in¬
trusion or molestation from the white man. It is a
country much better than the one you now occupy;
where you can grow more corn, and where game is
more abundant. Think seriously of what I say to
you! Remember that you have but one summer more
to plant corn in this country. Make the best use of
this time, and dispose of your property to the best
advantage. Go and settle with the Commissioners,
and with the emigrating Agent, Gen. Smith, recede
the money due for your improvements, your hoyses
your cornfields and ferries, and for the property
> which has been unjustly taken from you by tha
! whitemen, and at the appointed time be prepared to
! remove. In the mean time, if you will apply to me
j or my Agents, I will cause rations, blankets aril
! clothing to be furnished to the poor and d«stijute of
| your people