Cherokee Phoenix and Indians' Advocate
Wednesday, July 1, 1829
Vol. 2, no. 13
Page 2, col. 2b

 "And another King arose, that knew not Joseph."
 The Creek Indians.  The information contained in the article from the Alabama Journal, published in our last paper, is of some importance.  No other act of the present Executive of the United States, thus far, involves consequences so interesting to humanity, and so closely connected with the character of our government.  The removal of office-holders is nothing, and the making of new appointments is of little consequence.  "A breath can make them, as a breath has made."  But a total change, as indicated in the statement referred to, in the character of our intercourse with a race dependent upon our justice, and protection by the faith of treaties, cannot pass among those occurrences that die with the day that gave them birth.  The writer in the Alabama Journal, congratulates the people of that State, on the prospect they have of "speedily acquiring the Indian country."  And how do they acquire it?  Do they acquire it by purchase?  No.  Do they obtain it as a gift?  No.  Do they amicably persuade the Indians that it is their interest to remove?  No such a thing.  But the President of the United States tells them, (and doubtless they remember the fearful energy of his threats,) "that an agency will no longer be retained in their present nation; that his determination is to have their lands surveyed, and that the protection of the general government will be withdrawn from them, unless they remove."  And thus their doom is sealed.  They cannot resist such a determination.  They have no physical force adequate to the protection of their property and their rights; and they must comply, as a matter of course, with whatever demand cupidity and avarice may make.  Hitherto they have clung with wavering confidence, but with the energy of despair, to the justice and magnanimity of the United States.  Our avowed policy towards them has been that of protection; and though we have but little regarded our treaties with them, and though we have given them baubles for their possessions, and set up a string of beads as a just and competent compensation for millions of acres, we have nevertheless obtained their consent to the contract.  But the style of treatment is now suddenly changed.  Negotiation has become tedious; they cleave to their lands and their country with inconvenient tenacity; and to end the discussion, the arm of power is raised, and they are told to depart!  "Begone, you unchristian dogs!"  The mandate is peremptory; it stoops not at entreaty; it does not ask their consent, or contemplate their wishes.  It dispenses with the council fire; it arrests at once the hand of the planter; it breaks up their villages, their school, their churches, (for these they have,) and sends them away from possessions, which they have inherited from the "King of Kings."  N.Y. Statesman.

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Send comments or questions to: George Frizzell
Special Collections . Hunter Library . Western Carolina University . Cullowhee, NC 28723 . 828-227-7474