WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1830
158
secm~ity to the southern frontiers from Indian invasion, before his master genius was necessary for the defence of New Or- leans.-When the Seminole campaign was rendered indispensable, in 1817 and 1818, the Commanding General again found McIntosh by his side; with his band of fifteen hundred veteran warriors. The glory of McIntosh was not to be his shield. He proceeded to treat with the white people; and when he had ceded land according to the express wishes of the Government, it afforded a pretext for certain individuals, who disliked him, and to whom his death was necessary, to operate upon the prejudices of the Indians of his nation, against ceding land to the United States. They succeeded, and McIntosh was murdered by hjg own people; that is, he was shot by the Indians. It had been his misfortune to be engaged in trading with merchandise in this nation, in which he was very successful. It is not necessary to say any thing about the subsequent controversies between the State of Georgia, and the General Government sufficient notoriety has already been given to that subject. But it cannot be improper to remind any one, who may have forgotten it, that the State of Georgia, by its Legislature, requested the President, Mr. Adams, to remove the Agent of the Creeks, on the ground that he had caused the evils which then existed in the nation. This reques~ was disregarded by the President, and the Agent continued. To escape from his domination, the son of Gen. McIntosh, with the McIntosh party, held a treaty with the Government, and were induced, by prom- ises, to remove to Arkansas.- They were promised "a home for ever," if they would select one, and that bounds should be marked off to them. This has not been done. They were assured, that they should draw a proportionate part of the annuity due to the Creek nation every year. They have planted corn three seasons-yet they have never drawn one cent of any annuity· coming to them! Why is this? They were promised blankets, guns, ammunition, traps, kettles, and a wheelright.- They have drawn some few of each class of articles, and only a few-they have no wheelright. They were poor-but above this, they were promised pay for the improvements abandoned by them in the old nation. This they have not received. They were farther assured, that they should receive, upon their arrival on Arkansas, thirty dollars per head, for each emigrant.-This they have not received. But the Acting Sub-Agent, in the spring of 1829, :find- ing their wants very pressing, (indeed many of them were in a famishing condition), gave to each one his due bill, in the name l
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