P.\PER OF :\I1R.\BE.\U BuoNAP.\RTE L.\.MAR 81 of the Head men, who have almost absolute power over their people and find no difficulty in controlin"' their opinions upon almost all matters, o that if .a common Indian be now a ked if he i willing to go to the Arkansaw, his reply is almost certain to be "A k the Chiefs". 'l'he law above alludt>d to has g;reat influence in retardinl! J~migration. It ought to be repealed-You have told them so, and we respectfully suggest the propriety of "blending justice with au- thority" and say to the Headmen "what of right ought to he done shall, be done"- Brother. There are evera] circum tances, operating unfavorable tc emigration, and among these a general want of confidence in th,, present Agent i not the lea t considirable. Your attention has al- ready been called to this point, and we beg that you will pardon us for obtrudin<>' it upon your consideration again. The importance of the matter to us, is our appology. He is in many re. pect a very un uit- able per on to conduct the Emigration. He is obnoxiou to a large portion of the Indian , and very many in the· nation would make hi accompanying them a serious objection to their goin<r, but would neverthele s go without complaint o;r discontent if they were as- sured of Leia..., conducted by some suitable and good man in whom they could repose confidence. This we believe i a common .senti- ment. His retention in office against their wishe bas contributed materially to lessen their confidence in ,our Government and dis- trust he1· good intentions toward them. A very large majority of the Nation would be pleased at hi removal-many desire it; and we ask it ourselves, both in behalf of our numerous friends and for the common welfare of all. Our voice has heretofore heen disre- garded, bnt brother we are sati fled of your friend hip and now ap- peal with confidence to your justice. Aid us in an object which wili brin<r joy to a large·number of helple s brethren, who have been in- sulted and oppre sed by him who ought to have been their friend & protector. What though w may have heretofor had no powerful friend to the General Government to plead in our behalf and su tain the reasonableness & justice of this our olemn request so often re- peated; yet our cause i no less just becau e of our want of sµch ft friend. ,ve know that the Agent has a strong intere t at ,va hing- ton-he has so mana"'ed a to retain it under all the changes which has taken place in your Govt. and when we condiser the power.& in- fluence of his friends, we are almost ready to re ign every hope Clf affecting the friendly objects of our mission. Brother this appe::il to you is our la t hope, hear us with patience & compassion- Friend & Brother. \Ve are anxious to expostulate with yon; allow us to speak freely, for we will utter nothing but the truth, an 1 in ali probability will never mor·e trouble you on this subject. It is kno,vn to you that our people for many years have been div_ided into ,two parti s. This division originated during the la t war, bnt wa gradually dying away, until it was revived a few year ago during our neg-ociation about onr lands in Georgia. The late unfortunate Genl. 1\lclntosh was in favor of r.eeding our lands and removing tu the West. Knowing that snch wa the ultimate destiny of the Na- tion, he thought tl1e sooner it ,v.a realized, the bette;r for his people. for they were making improvements in a country which they wonli; 6-Llbrnrr.
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