MooNEY] ARRIVAL (IK TROOPS 129 



notiihle leaders of the opposition were Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, 

 Kdwaiil Everett, Wise of Virginia, and David Crockett. The speeches 

 in Conjiress upon the subject ''were c-haracterized by a depth aiid l)it- 

 terness of feeling such as had never been exceeded i^ven on the sla\ery 

 question."'' It was considered not simply an Indian question, but an 

 issue between state rights on the one hand and federal jurisdiction and 

 the Constitution on the other. 



In spite of threats of arrest and punishment, Rcss still continued 

 active effort in behalf of his people. Again, in the spring of 1888, two 

 months before the time ti.\ed for the removal, he presented to Con- 

 gress another protest and memorial, which, like the others, was tabled 

 by the Senate. Van Buren had now succeeded Jackson and Mas dis- 

 posed to allow the Cherokee a longer time to prepare for emigration, 

 but was met by the declaration from Governor Gilmer of Georgia that 

 any delay would be a violation of the rights of that state and in oppo- 

 sition to the rights of tlta <nrii,-r>< of the soil, and that if trouble came 

 from any protection atl'oi'ded by the government troops to the Chero- 

 kee a direct collision must ensue between the authorities of the state 

 and general government." 



Up to the last moment the Cherokee still belieA'ed that the treaty 

 would not lie consunmiated, and with all the pressure brought to bear 

 upon them only about 2,00(t of the 17,000 in the eastern Nation had 

 removed at the expiration of the time fixed for their departure, ^[ay 

 2t), 1838. As it was evident that the removal could only be acconi- 

 plished by fori'c. General Wintieid Scott was now appointed to that 

 duty with insti'uctions to start the Indians for the AVest at the earliest 

 possible moment. l'"(ii- that purpose he was ordered to take command 

 of the troops already in the Cherokee country, together with addi- 

 tional reenforcements of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, with authority 

 to call upon the governors of the adjoining states for as many as 4,000 

 militia and \'olunt(>ers. The whole force employed immbered about 

 7,000 men — regulars, militia, and volunteers.^ The Indians had already 

 been disai-mcd b\ (Jeneral Wool. 



On arri\ ing in the Chei'okee country Scott established headquart(>rs 

 at the capital. New Echota. whence, on May 10, he issued a proclaina- 

 tiiiM 1(1 ti)c CJK loki'c. wai'niiig them that the emigration must be com- 

 nienccd in hasti^ and that before another moon had passed cv(M-y 

 Cherokee man, woman, and child must be in motion to join his 

 brethren in the far West, according to the determination of the Presi- 

 dent, which he, the genend. had come to enforce. The pi'oclamation 

 concludes: •' My troops already occupy man\' positions . . . and 



' Royee, Cherokee Nation, op. cit. pp. 287, 289. 

 = Ibid., pp. :>89, 290. 



■' n>i(i.. p. 291. The statement of tlie total number of troops employed is from the speech of Everett 

 in the House of Representatives, May 31, 1838, covering the whole question of the treaty. 



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