THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 1565 alwnys manifested on all occasions so far as I have heard of yon-The object then I take for granted is to procure a legal title from the mexican Govt· for lands for the .cherokees, nnd in this object I will aid you if legnl steps are tnken. I know that the cherokees can get their lands if the legal steps are adopted, and if they talce the wrong cou1·se they are lost. The ruin may not be immediate., but it will ultimately fall and overwhelm them and their friends. I hope to see you shortly in company with the cherokee chiefs in comformity with the request of the chief of this Department and the commandant of arms and / can then prove to you tlwt this opinion is well fou,nded. ··when you was here I expressed myself fully as to the cherokees and unequivocally stated that I was a friend of those Indians and would take an interest in their affairs, so far as my duty to this Gov- ernment would permit The chief of Department is now here and assures me thnt the Government never have nor will refuse to comply with the promises made to the cherokees. You very well know the delays attending the dispatch of governmental business at any time, and more par- ticularly in a Govt. situated as this is just formed and scarcely or- ganized-delay was to be expected, but this is no proof that the business of the cherokees would not be finished-The Government have never refused them lnnds, have never expressed any disatisfaction at their settlement where they now are and I have no doubt will be willing to give them a title to lands at that place-So-that the way is perfectly clear and plain -bring in the cherokee chiefs to this pince or to the Trinity river to see the Chief of Department as he has requested and all will be right-Tliere is a happy moment in the tide of all events, and men of talent know when that moment·arrives nnd how to use it--If you are the man of talents I believe you to be and nre actuated by the benevolent feelings toward the cherokees which you profess, you will see that the favorable moment in the tide of their affairs has arrived, and you will embrace it--before the sword is d1·mvn the Govt will yield a little to the cherolcees to lceep it in its scabbard, but once drawn and stained with blood they will never yield one hairs breadth and nothing short of extermination or expu,lsion of that nation will satisfy them,--The hn.ppy moment then has arrived, use it prudently and promptly and you save the cherokecs-the cause of humanity-and save the country from a war of massacre and desolation My Dr. Sir, let us examine this subject calmly, let us suppose that the Indians over run the whole country and take possession of it for the present as far as the Rio Grande and drive out or massacre all the honest inhabitants. ,vhat will they gain1-what
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