Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Domestic News
November 24, 1828
Phenix Gazette
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
Gov. Forsyth recommends extending Georgia laws over Cherokees in his message to the legislature. A Savannah Georgian writer critiques this by quoting a 1826 law barring non-English speaking Indians and descendants from testifying in state courts.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
It will be recollected that Gov. Forsyth, in his late message to the Legislature of Georgia, recommends, in lieu of compelling the Cherokees to leave the State, "to extend all the laws of the State over them, and to subject them to the operation of these laws." A writer in the Savannah Georgian, as a brief commentary upon the justice and benignity of such a measure, quotes the following law, passed by the Legislature in 1826. Royal tyranny, says he, might advantageously take a leaf out of the Republican code containing such a statute:
"An act to prevent the testimony of Indians being received in Courts of Justice.
"Be it enacted, &c. That from and after the passage of this Act, no Indians, and no descendant of an Indian, not understanding the English language, shall be deemed a competent witness in a Court of Justice created by the Constitution or Laws of this State.
"Assented to 26th December, 1826.—G. M. Troup" (Governor.)
"An act to prevent the testimony of Indians being received in Courts of Justice.
"Be it enacted, &c. That from and after the passage of this Act, no Indians, and no descendant of an Indian, not understanding the English language, shall be deemed a competent witness in a Court of Justice created by the Constitution or Laws of this State.
"Assented to 26th December, 1826.—G. M. Troup" (Governor.)
What sub-type of article is it?
Indian Affairs
Politics
Legal Or Court
What keywords are associated?
Cherokee
Georgia Law
Indian Testimony
Forsyth Message
Troup
Savannah Georgian
What entities or persons were involved?
Gov. Forsyth
G. M. Troup
Where did it happen?
Georgia
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Georgia
Event Date
26th December 1826
Key Persons
Gov. Forsyth
G. M. Troup
Event Details
Gov. Forsyth recommends extending all Georgia laws over the Cherokees instead of forcing them to leave. A Savannah Georgian writer comments on this by quoting a 1826 law that prevents Indians and their descendants who do not understand English from being competent witnesses in state courts, assented to by Governor G. M. Troup.