CHEROKEES. 23 



brotherly friendship between the different nations of red people, our 

 hearts rejoice in the goodness of our Creator in having thus united 

 the heart and hand of the red man in peace. 



" For it is in peace only that our women and children can enjoy 

 happiness and increase in numbers. 



" By peace our condition has been improved in the pursuit of civil- 

 ized life. We should, therefore, extend the hand of friendship from 

 tribe to tribe, until peace shall be established between every nation 

 of red men within the reach of our voice. 



" Brothers : When we call to mind the only associations which en- 

 deared us to the land which gave birth to our ancestors, where we 

 have been brought up in peace to taste the benefits of civilized life ; 

 and when we see that our ancient fire has there been extinguished, 

 and our people compelled to remove to a new and distant country, 

 we cannot but feel sorry; but the designs of Providence, in the 

 course of events, are mysterious — we should not, therefore, despair 

 of once more enjoying the blessings of peace in our new homes. 



'' Brothers : By this removal, tribes that were once separated by 

 distance have become neighbours, and some of them, hitherto not 

 known to each other, have met and become acquainted. There are, 

 however, numerous other tribes to whom we are still strangers. 



" Brothers : It is for reviving here in the west the ancient talk of our 

 forefathers, and of perpetuating for ever the old fire and pipe of peace 

 brought from the east, and of extending them from nation to nation, 

 and for adopting such international laws as may be necessary to re- 

 dress the wrongs which may be done by individuals of our respective 

 nations upon each other, that you have been invited to attend the 

 present council. 



" Brothers, let us so then act that the peace and friendship which so 

 happily existed between our forefathers, may be for ever preserved ; 

 and that we may always live as brothers of the same family." 



The following compact was then introduced by Mr. Ross, for the 

 deliberation and action of the council : — 



" Whei-eas, the removal of the Indian tribes from the homes of 

 their fathers, east of the Mississippi, has there extinguished our 

 ancient council-fires, and changed our position in regard to each 

 other ; and whereas, by the solemn pledge of treaties, we are assured 

 by the government of the United States that the lands which we now 

 possess shall be the undisturbed home of ourselves and our posterity 

 for ever. Therefore^ we the authorized representatives of the several 



