The Chickamauga Nation logo.
categories
Agriculture
Congress and Senate
Cultural Preservation
Education
Genocide
History
Humor
Legal
Mobilian Trade Language
NDN NEWS
PROOF
Podcasting
Public Announcements
TCN.DIGITAL.PRESS
TCNPress.Org
The Chickamauga Nation
Today in Chickamauga History
Treaties
authors
Attakullakulla's Ghost
Chief Jimmie W. Kersh
Chief Richard Botts
Chuck Allen
Dr. Chief Christopher Spruell
Dr. Michelle Spruell
Duwali's Ghost
Prince of Notoly's Ghost
The Chickamauga Nation
The Chickamauga Nation - TCN
publicationHISTORY

Today in Chickamauga History - December 6

The Chickamauga Nation

February 10, 2025
/
Today in Chickamauga History

Today in Chickamauga History - December 6

‍

1830, December 6:  President Andrew JACKSON addresses the United States Congress regarding Indian removal.  
“It gives me pleasure to announce to Congress that the benevolent policy of the Government, steadily pursued for nearly thirty years, in relation to the removal of the Indians beyond the white settlements is approaching to a happy consummation. Two important tribes have accepted the provision made for their removal at the last session of Congress, and it is believed that their example will induce the remaining tribes also to seek the same obvious advantages.

The consequences of a speedy removal will be important to the United States, to individual States, and to the Indians themselves. The pecuniary advantages which it promises to the Government are the least of its recommendations. It puts an end to all possible danger of collision between the authorities of the General and State Governments on account of the Indians. It will place a dense and civilized population in large tracts of country now occupied by a few savage hunters. By opening the whole territory between Tennessee on the north and Louisiana on the south to the settlement of the whites it will incalculably strengthen the southwestern frontier and render the adjacent States strong enough to repel future invasions without remote aid. It will relieve the whole State of Mississippi and the western part of Alabama of Indian occupancy, and enable those States to advance rapidly in population, wealth, and power. It will separate the Indians from immediate contact with settlements of whites; free them from the power of the States; enable them to pursue happiness in their own way and under their own rude institutions; will retard the progress of decay, which is lessening their numbers, and perhaps cause them gradually, under the protection of the Government and through the influence of good counsels, to cast off their savage habits and become an interesting, civilized, and Christian community.
What good man would prefer a country covered with forests and ranged by a few thousand savages to our extensive Republic, studded with cities, towns, and prosperous farms embellished with all the improvements which art can devise or industry execute, occupied by more than 12,000,000 happy people, and filled with all the blessings of liberty, civilization and religion?

The present policy of the Government is but a continuation of the same progressive change by a milder process. The tribes which occupied the countries now constituting the Eastern States were annihilated or have melted away to make room for the whites.

The waves of population and civilization are rolling to the westward, and we now propose to acquire the countries occupied by the red men of the South and West by a fair exchange, and, at the expense of the United States, to send them to land where their existence may be prolonged and perhaps made perpetual.

Doubtless it will be painful to leave the graves of their fathers; but what do they more than our ancestors did or than our children are now doing? To better their condition in an unknown land our forefathers left all that was dear in earthly objects. Our children by thousands yearly leave the land of their birth to seek new homes in distant regions. Does Humanity weep at these painful separations from everything, animate and inanimate, with which the young heart has become entwined? Far from it. It is rather a source of joy that our country affords scope where our young population may range unconstrained in body or in mind, developing the power and facilities of man in their highest perfection. These remove hundreds and almost thousands of miles at their own expense, purchase the lands they occupy, and support themselves at their new homes from the moment of their arrival. Can it be cruel in this Government when, by events which it cannot control, the Indian is made discontented in his ancient home to purchase his lands, to give him a new and extensive territory, to pay the expense of his removal, and support him a year in his new abode? How many thousands of our own people would gladly embrace the opportunity of removing to the West on such conditions! If the offers made to the Indians were extended to them, they would be hailed with gratitude and joy.

And is it supposed that the wandering savage has a stronger attachment to his home than the settled, civilized Christian? Is it more afflicting to him to leave the graves of his fathers than it is to our brothers and children? Rightly considered, the policy of the General Government toward the red man is not only liberal, but generous. He is unwilling to submit to the laws of the States and mingle with their population. To save him from this alternative, or perhaps utter annihilation, the General Government kindly offers him a new home, and proposes to pay the whole expense of his removal and settlement.”

‍

publicationhistory
All past, present and future claims or assertions of Chickamauga history, written or spoken, including but not limited to biographies, curriculum vitae, lectures or any other reference not listed herein, are deemed fraudulent by The Chickamauga Nation. The use of the image of the Ancient Axe of Authority© is used by expressed written consent of its creator and copyright holder, Dr. Michelle Spruell.

All content on this website is protected by copyright and is the intellectual property of The Chickamauga Nation. Use of the image of the Ancient Axe of Authority and text on this website without the expressed written consent of The Chickamauga Nation is strictly forbidden.

PUBLIC NOTICE: The Chickamauga Nation and its Citizens declare that any and all entities who profess or claim Cherokee identity inclusive of Citizens and members of said entities in any and all forms are determined to be persona non grata to The Chickamauga Nation. Persona non grata status extends to any and all entities, citizens, members, or diplomats without initiation or provocation of litigation. Persona non grata status extends to but is not limited to the Government of The Chickamauga Nation, Culture of The Chickamauga Nation, Religion of The Chickamauga Nation, History of The Chickamauga Nation, Identity of The Chickamauga Nation, Relationship of other tribes with The Chickamauga Nation, and shall not affect the relationship of The Chickamauga Nation with the United States government or agencies thereof, including other tribes and nations not mentioned.

DISCLAIMER FOR ALL FUTURE PUBLICATIONS: In lieu of providing repetitive academically verified documentation as requested by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on July 18, 2019, The Chickamauga Nation hereby give notice that beginning on January 1, 2022 all future publications are presented using the research which has been academically verified by professionals in the fields of history and anthropology.
© 2022 The Chickamauga Nation. All rights reserved.