It would be impossible to describe the sorrow which affected our minds on learning that the chief magistrate of the United States had come to this conclusion, that all his illustrious predecessors had held intercourse with us on principles which could not be sustained that they had made promises of vital importance to us, which could not be fulfilled-promises made hundreds of times, in almost every conceivable manner-often in the form of solemn treaties. This information was entirely unexpected as it went upon the principle that treaties made between the United States and the Cherokee Nation have no power to withstand the legislation of separate states and of course that they have not efficacy whatever, but leave our people to the mercy of the neighboring whites, whose supposed interests would be promoted by our expulsion or extermination. More than a year ago we were officially given to understand by the secretary of war that the president could not protect us against the laws of Georgia.
pleading with the assembled representatives of the American people, that the solemn engagements between their fathers and our fathers may be preserved, as they have been till recently in full force and continued operation. In the course of the winter they presented petitions to Congress. Soon after their arrival in the city they presented to Congress a petition from our National Council, asking for the interposition of that body in our behalf, especially with reference to the laws of Georgia, which were suspended in a most terrifying manner over a large part of our population, and protesting in the most decided terms against the operation of these laws. Some months ago a delegation was appointed by the constituted authorities of the Cherokee Nation, to repair to the city of Washington, and, in behalf of this nation to lay before the government of the United States such representations as should seem most likely to secure to us as a people that protection, aid, and good neighborhood, which had been so often promised to us, and of which we stand in great need. John Ross, Address to the People of the United States, by the General Council of the Cherokee Nation, July 1830 25 Head Quarters, Eastern Division Cherokee Agency, Ten.
Tracy, Memoir of the Life of Jeremiah Evarts, Late Corresponding Secretary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (Boston: Crocker and Brewster, 1845), 442–448, available at Orders No.
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