The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
INDIGENOUS AMERICAN TRIBES / CHEROKEES
So much in answer to your inquiries concerning Indians, a people with
whom, in the early part of my life, I was very familiar, and acquired
impressions of attachment and commiseration for them which have never
been obliterated. Before the Revolution, they were in the habit of
coming often and in great numbers to the seat of government, where I
was very much with them. I knew much the great Ontassete', the warrior
and orator of the Cherokees; he was always the guest of my father, on
his journeys to and from Williamsburg. I was in his camp when he made
his great farewell oration to his people the evening before his
departure for England. The moon was in full splendor, and to her he
seemed to address himself in his prayers for his own safety on the
voyage, and that of his people during his absence; his sounding voice,
distinct articulation, animated action, and the solemn silence of his
people at their several fires, filled me with awe and veneration,
although I did not understand a word he uttered. That nation,
consisting now of about 2,000 warriors, and the Creeks of about 3,000
are far advanced in civilization. They have good cabins, enclosed
fields, large herds of cattle and hogs, spin and weave their own
clothes of cotton, have smiths and other of the most necessary
tradesmen, write and read, are on the increase in numbers, and a
branch of Cherokees is now instituting a regular representative
government. Some other tribes are advancing in the same line. On those
who have made any progress, English seductions will have no effect.
But the backward will yield, and be thrown further back. Those will
relapse into barbarism and misery, lose numbers by war and want, and
we shall be obliged to drive them with the beasts of the forest into
the stony mountains.
to John Adams, 11 June 1812
|