Phenix Gazette

Savannah, Geo. Feb. 20.—Indian Hostilities.—One of the consequences of foreign interference in the affairs of the State of Georgia and her Indian population is already experienced. We published an account of the stoppage of the U.S. Mail, in Alabama a day or two since, by an infuriated savage called Tuskinah, Principal Chief of the Creeks. A civil process was afterwards issued against this individual, but he refused to submit, and a detachment of volunteer cavalry was sent on the 12th inst. to his residence for the purpose of apprehending him. Since this we perceive by the Cherokee Phenix of the 10th inst. that an affair has occurred of more serious nature.

A party under the authority of the Principal Chief, in pursuit of certain white and Indian horse-thieves in true Indian style, have turned seventeen families, whom they chose to believe intruders, from their houses, which they set fire to and burnt—exposing them shelterless at this most inclement season. After this savage onslaught the party retreated, but five of them, too much intoxicated to keep pace with their fleeter companions, were overtaken, and according to the Phenix one of them killed, and three taken into Georgia for trial.

That we have not exaggerated this tale, will appear from the account which we copy verbatim from the Cherokee Phenix, the only one which has yet reached us. It exemplifies at once the mode of government and morality of these people of which we have heard so much.

"The general facts are these, says the official organ of the head-men, the particulars of which will be given in our next. A company of Cherokees, among whom were some of our most respectable citizens, constrained by the repeated aggressions and insults of a number of intruders, who had settled themselves far in the country, and likewise by the frequent losses sustained by many of our citizens in cattle and horses from their own countrymen, who are leagued in wickedness with our civilized brothers, started the other day, under the authority of the Principal Chief, to correct, at least, part of the evil. They were out two days, in which time they arrested four Cherokee horse-thieves—These received exemplary punishment. They found also seventeen families of intruders, living, we believe, in Cherokee houses. These they ordered out, and after safely taking out their beddings, chairs, &c. the houses were set on fire. In no instance was the least violence used on the part of the Cherokees. When the company returned home, five of them tarried on the way, who, we are sorry to say, had become intoxicated. In this situation, they were found by a company of intruders, twenty five in number. One was killed, and three taken into Georgia."

The same paper says in a postscript to this account, that it was reported "a large company of Georgians were on their way to arrest Mr. Ross and Maj. Ridge." The editor adds—“We think it not improbable, that an attempt of that kind will be made—if so, self defence, on the part of the Cherokees, many of whom, we understand, were at Ross's and Ridge's, would undoubtedly be justifiable."

The paper we have quoted is the property of the head men of the nation, and speaks their sentiments—so that it would appear they intended to resist by force any attempt to arrest them.