Cherokee Phoenix and Indians' Advocate
Wednesday, August 12, 1829
Vol. II, no. 19
Page 2, col. 5b

 Extract of a letter from a distinguished citizen of Missouri to his friend in Maryland [communicated to the editors of the National Intelligencer.]
 The Indians are prostrate and crushed.   We take their land first and cheat them out of it afterwards.  We have already done so on the left bank, and the right is too good a country to expect a different fate.  The whites have now no fears of them, they are cowed and subdued, and yet exhibit a touch of their condition that would awaken the better feelings of any man not hardened, as I partly am, by the frequent occurrence of the spectacle.  They meet their fate like the trapped wolf, with a sort of sheepish ferocity.  An overwhelming fear, and the absolute certainty of perdition, have deprived them of that proud spirit of resistance which marked their primitive character, and destroyed even the hope of revenge.  But this is a subject too long to be treated of in a letter.  It is only a few years they were powerful and comparatively happy, and in a few years more they will be heard only of in tradition."

This transcription from the Cherokee Phoenix is presented as part of the historical record, and includes historical materials that may contain negative stereotypes or language reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place including terminology that may not be deemed appropriate today. While an effort has been made to verify the transcription against the original text, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Researchers are urged to match the transcription against the original article to authenticate exact quotes. Issues of the Cherokee Phoenix are available on microfilm. Please check your local library for availability or to inquire about interlibrary loan of a microfilm copy.

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