.MTA2MA.NzE2Nzk

Mount Zion Jan. 19 1844 John Howard Payne Esq. Dear Sir, Though I have been blamed by some of my missionary brethren for censuring those members of our church, who signed the New Echota treaty, as being guilty of a moral evil, yet unless ignorant of my own heart, I have not censured the signing of that treaty from any political or party motives, but for the same reason that I would censure any other course of conduct, which seemed directly opposed to the dictates of inspiration. Instead of any personal opposition to the treaty party, many of them were among my most favorite friends. This was the case especially with the family connecxions of Messrs. Ridge, and Boudinot. To them I was more especially indebted for ten thousand acts of kindness, than to almost any other families in the nation. And when I heard that the treaty was ratified, and knew in some measure, at least, the feelings of the people, and the consequent danger of Messrs. Ridge and Boudinot, I would not rest without advising them to take some measures to regain the favour of the people. As Mr. Northrop, Mrs. Ridge's father, was then on a visit, at the house of Mr Ridge & addressed my letter to him, that he might, as he should judge expedient, read or communicate it to Mr. Ridge. I commenced by saying, that, though I might not be a politician, yet I might be a peace maker; and as a friend I begged the privilege of suggesting a few thoughts to our friends Ridge and Boudinot with regard to their endeavoring to communicate the minds of the people and the national council. I enquired if they could not address a communication to the general council, acknowledging the importance of the law they had violated, than in all communities, holding land in common, it was of vital importance that it should not be at the disposition of any one or two individuals but of a majority, or persons authorized by a majority; and that, under any common circumstances, they could not expect forgiveness in thus acting for the nation, But the condition of the nation was peculiar. These I proposed to them to state, in the clearest manner possible, the oppressive measures of Georgia and Alabama, by which the whole nation had been brought to the very verge of ruin, and urge that distress as a reason why they had adopted a measure which might be considered desperate, in order