- Ross John
- Vann
- Benn
- Kavasales Photius
Bath and Swim
Morning visit from John Ross, Chief of
the Cherokee Nation with Vann and
Benn two others of the delegation. Ross
had written to request an interview with me for them, on my appointment
as Chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs— I was excused from that
service at my own request from a full conviction that its only result
would be to keep a perpetual harrow upon my feelings, with a total
impotence to render any useful service— The Policy from Washington to myself of all the
Presidents of the United States had been Justice and kindness to the
Indian tribes—to civilize and preserve them— With the Creeks and
Cherokees it had been eminently successful.— Its success was their
misfortune— The States within whose borders their settlements were took
the alarm, broke down all the Treaties which had pledged the faith of
the Nation.— Georgia extended her jurisdiction over them—took possession
of their Lands, houses, cattle, furniture, negroes, and drove them out
from their own dwellings— All the Southern States supported Georgia, in
this utter prostration of faith and justice, and Andrew Jackson by the simultaneous
operation of fraudulent treaties and brutal force consummated the work—
The Florida War is one of the fruits of this policy; the conduct of
which exhibits one interrupted scene, of the most profligate corruption—
All resistance against this abomination is vain— It is among the heinous
sins of this Nation for which I believe God will one day bring them to
judgment—but at his own time, and by his own means. I turned my eyes
away from this sickening mass of putrefaction, and asked to be excused
from serving as the Chairman of the Committee— Ross and his colleagues
are here, claiming indemnity for the household furniture, goods, and
cattle stolen from their people, when they were expelled from their
dwellings; and a new treaty to give them some shadow of security for the
permanent possession of the lands to which they have been driven— They
complain of delays, and neglect by the new Secretary of War, Mr Bell, and I
promised to speak to him in their behalf—and I told them to call upon me
freely, if upon any occasion I could be serviceable to them. At the
house, immediately after the reading of the journal, Committee of the
whole on the state of the Union, Lawrence in the Chair on the land-bill. Clifford finished his speech,
followed by Meriwether of
Georgia, Howard of Michigan,
Kennedy of Indiana, and
Alford of Georgia till 3.
O’Clock, when Charles Brown of
Philadelphia took the floor, the Committee rose and the house adjourned—
Mr
Kavasales took tea here— Music at the Capitol—