Kentucky Gazette

NASHVILLE, Nov. 19.

CHOCTAW TREATY.

We congratulate our readers on the final termination of all the difficulties about the lands ceded to the United States by the Creek Indians in the summer of 1814. The extinguishment of the claim set up by the Cherokees and Chickasaws, by the commissioners (Generals Jackson and Merriwether) appointed for that purpose, we noticed in a former paper, and we have now the pleasure of announcing the return of Gen. Coffee and John Rhea, esq. commissioners appointed to treat with the Choctaw nation for the claim set up, to about seven millions of acres of land ceded by the Creek nation lying east of Tombigbee river, and running to the dividing ridge between the Cahawba and Black Warrior rivers.

The gentlemen called a meeting of the Choctaws and agreeably to their request the Indians met, to the number of about 2000, including all the head men or Mingoes and chiefs. When met, a committee of the most intelligent chiefs was chosen by the tribe to confer with the commissioners, and receive the propositions they had to make. The commissioners informed them what they were authorized to do, which the Indian committee did not appear to like, and proposed to amend the terms offered, but the commissioners would not assent to any of their propositions. Finding they could make no better terms the committee convened the whole number then in waiting, and made a report, and submitted to each individual the terms, for his assent or dissent. The offer was unanimously accepted, and the treaty immediately concluded. The commissioners then distributed a few thousand dollars worth of Merchandize among the Indians, and all retired in order to their respective habitations.

For a country about 150 miles long and 65 broad, we are to give 6000 dollars yearly for twenty years, without any reservations or extra pay for improvements. Considerable part of which tract of country is very good farming land, and will amply repay the government when brought into market for the expenses of quieting the Indian claim.

There is no calculating the loss to the nation in the lives of those brave men who fell in the Creek war, but the expense of that war could not amount to more than twelve hundred thousand dollars, and the money to be paid to the Cherokees, Chickasaws and Choctaws, with presents, &c. will not exceed three hundred thousand dollars more, making in the whole one and a half million of dollars, for which the United States have the quiet possession of at least twenty millions of acres of land, in the most desirable part of the United States.

Taking the whole cession into view, we are told the land would not be considered more than one third good, of which one third, a fourth would command if in market to-day at least ten dollars an acre, a fourth seven dollars, a fourth five dollars, and a fourth two dollars, making an average of six dollars per acre for the third of the cession, equal to two dollars an acre for the whole.

The immense Country obtained from the Indians is the fruit of Tennessee prowess and unmatched valor, and some small part of it would be well disposed of if given to the poor fellows who conquered it. We conceive it to be our duty to call the attention of our representation in congress to this subject. If no better terms can be had, let there be provision made for bringing the land into market as soon as possible, let every one hundred and sixty acres be offered for sale, and if it will not bring more than two dollars, retain it, and after the whole has been offered for sale, give the soldiers and others who were out in the Creek war, the privilege of entering a tract, and in order that all might have this privilege shut the office to all other persons for six months or a year.

We cannot think any person in the United States could object to this plan. Better terms might probably be had—we think that those who fought, amidst every privation, the battles of their country, ought to be compensated by donations, as much as Yazoo and New Madrid speculators.* We know the members of the government have been very liberal with the public funds on more than one occasion, and we cannot think they will be parsimonious when the widow, the orphan, or the poor veteran, appeals to them for a resting place. We hope that an attempt at least will be made to effect an object so dear to the citizens of this state.

Clarion.

*The merits of Yazoo speculation we suppose is known to most of our readers—the other is of a recent date, and if possible equals the other. Last winter application was made to congress to relieve the sufferers by the earthquakes at and near New Madrid—the pretended object was a good one, but the law was so loosely worded and framed that an immense section of the first rate land in the Missouri territory has been located. We are told that the delegates in congress have profited largely in the speculations, and immense fortunes were made by purchasing rights from the unwary holders.