ROYCE.] GENERAL REMARKS. 373 
life of the Cherokee underwent but little change. The remoteness of 
his villages from the coast settlements and the intervening territory of 
other tribes limited in large degree any frequency of association with 
his white neighbors. In spite of this restricted intercourse, however, 
the superior comforts and luxuries of civilization were early apparent 
to him. His new-found desires met with a ready supply through the 
enterprising cupidity of the fur traders. At the same time and through 
the same means he was brought to a knowledge of the uses and com- 
forts of calico and blankets, and the devastating though seductive in- 
fluence of spirituous liquors. Yet nothing occurred to mar the peace 
hitherto existing with his white neighbors until their continued spread 
and seemingly insatiate demand for more territory aroused a feeling of 
jealous fear in his bosom. This awakening to the perils of his situation 
was, unfortunately for him, too late. The strength of the invaders al- 
ready surpassed his own, and henceforth it was but a struggle against 
fate. Prior to the close of the Revolutionary war but little, if any- 
thing, had been done toward encouraging the Cherokee to adopt the 
customs and pursuits of civilized life. His native forests and streams 
had afforded him a sufficiency of flesh, fish, and skins to supply all his 
reasonable wants. Immediately upon the establishment of American 
Independence the policy to be pursued by the Government in its rela- 
tions with the Indian tribes became the subject of grave consideration. 
The necessity began to be apparent of teaching the proximate tribes 
to cultivate the soil as a substitute for the livelihood hitherto gained 
through the now rapidly diminishing supplies of game. In the report 
of the commissioners appointed to negotiate the treaty of 1785, being 
the first treaty concluded between the Cherokees and the United States, 
they remark that some compensation should be made to the Indians for 
certain of their lands unlawfully taken possession of by the whites, and 
that the sum so raised should be appropriated to the purpose of teach- 
ing them useful branches of mechanics. Furthermore, that some of 
their women had lately learned to spin, and many others were “very 
desirous that some method should be fallen on to teach them to raise 
flax, cotton, and wool, as well as to spin and weave it.” 
Six years later, in the conclusion of the second treaty with them, it was 
agreed, in order “that the Cherokee Nation may be led to a greater 
degree of civilization, and to become herdsmen and cultivators instead 
of remaining ina state of hunters, the United States will from time to 
time furnish gratuitously the said nation with useful implements of 
husbandry.” From this time forward the progress of the Cherokees in 
civilization and enlightenment was rapid and continuous.! They had 

‘Hon. J. C. Calhoun, Secretary of War, under date of March 29, 1824, in a com- 
munication addressed to the President to be laid before the United States Senate, 
alludes to the provision contained in the treaty of 1791 and says: ‘‘In conformity to 
the provisions of this article the various utensils of husbandry have been abundantly 
and constantly distributed to the Cherokee Nation, which has resulted in creating a 
taste for farming and the comforts of civilized life.” 
