.MTA2MA.NzE3MTQ

                                                                                                                                                                                                               9   29 - crossed out

The Cherokees were not allowed to punish any crime whatever, and therefore some notorious murders were suffered to pass with impunity -- Gold mines were now discovered on Cherokee lands supposed to be worth millions of Dollars. These were taken by the sovereignty of Georgia, and any Indian found digging gold (on his own land) was condemned to severe punishments. The Cherokees at length became willing to dispose of a part of their country, yet nothing would satisfy the cupidity of their neighbours but the whole. Agents were scattered through the country to bribe flatter, persuade or frighten the Cherokees to sell their improvements and go the west. These were termed enrolling agents, and the persons who sold their improvements were stiled?, Arkansas emigrants, and the plains thus sold were unclear to be the property of the United States to be rented to any white man who might wish to intrude. into the country. Thus the Indians were encouraged, hired, and persuaded to violate the laws of their own country, and directly oppose their own lawful rulers, by disposing of their improvements to white man, not citizens of the nation, and thus introducing white families into the country. This was also a violation of the intercourse law. But however unlawful this procedure was, yet it was established by law, and to oppose it scratched out was made a high misdemeanor by the legislature of Georgia and the United States cabinet. But though extravagant prices were offered, yet but few would be found willing to sacrifice the confidence and affection of their own countrymen for money. Now, nothing smudged