Text | | ...The United
States solemnly guaranteed to such nation all their land not ceded, and
pledged the faith of the government, that "all white people who have intruded,
or may hereafter intrude on the lands reserved for the Cherokees, shall
be removed by the United States...." The Cherokees were happy and prosperous
under a scrupulous observance of treaty stipulations by the government
of the United States, and from the fostering hand extended over them, they
made rapid advances in civilization, morals, and in the arts and sciences.
Little did they anticipate, that when taught to think and feel as the American
citizen, and to have with him a common interest, they were to be despoiled
by their guardian, to become strangers and wanderers in the land of their
fathers, forced to return to the savage life, and to seek a new home in
the wilds of the far west, and that without their consent. An instrument
purporting to be a treaty with the Cherokee people, has recently been made
public by the President of the United States, that will have such an operation
if carried into effect. This instrument, the delegation aver before the
civilized world, and in the presence of Almighty God, is fraudulent, false
upon its face, made by unauthorized individuals, without the sanction,
and against the wishes of the great body of the Cherokee people. Upwards
of fifteen thousand of those people have protested against it, solemnly
declaring they will never acquiesce. Source: Exec. Doc. No. 286, 24th
Cong., 1st sess., 1-2. |