274 GILMER COUNTY. 



lature of Georgia has competent authority to pass laws for the 

 government of the Indians residing within its limits : however 

 courteous the manner and conciliatory the phraseology, cannot 

 but be considered exceedingly disrespectful to the government 

 of the State. No one knows better than yourself, that the 

 Governor would grossly violate his duty, and exceed his autho- 

 rity, by complying with such a suggestion ; and that both the 

 letter and spirit of the powers conferred by the constitution 

 upon the Supreme Court, forbid its adjudging such a question. 

 Your suggestion is but an evidence of the state of that contest 

 in which the advocates of power are exerting themselves to 

 increase the authority of the departments of the General Gov- 

 ernment; whilst the friends of liberty and the rights of the 

 people are in opposition, endeavouring to sustain the sove- 

 reignty of the States. It is hoped that the efforts of the Gene- 

 ral Government to execute its contract with Georgia, to secure 

 the continuance and advance the happiness of the Indian tribes, 

 and to give quiet to the country, may be so effectually success- 

 ful, as to prevent the necessity of any further intercourse 

 upon this subject. 



Yours, &c., 



George R. Gilmer. 

 William Wirt, Esq. 



Whilst Mr. Gilmer was Governor, in 1837 and 1838, the 

 Indians were removed from Georgia, and we have no doubt 

 that by their removal their condition has been greatly im- 

 proved. Mr. Gilmer has retired from public life, and holds no 

 appointment except that of trustee of Franklin College. He 

 resides in Lexington, Oglethorpe county, and devotes his time 

 to the cultivation of a farm. For recreation he has explored 

 much of the country in the vicinity of Lexington, and has 

 collected a most beautiful cabinet of minerals and Indian 

 relics. In stature he is about five feet nine inches — com- 

 plexion sallow — piercing eyes. In his dress plain, and what 

 some might consider unfashionable. His manners are pecu- 

 liarly fascinating. His mind is filled with immense stores of 

 historical lore. His conversational powers are uncommonly 

 great, and no one can be in his company without forming the 

 conclusion that he possesses no ordinary powers of mind. 



