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Executive Department Milledgeville 16th May 1831

Sir

    Sufficient evidence has been obtained from the Government of the United States to convince the Courts of this State that the Missionaries employed among the Cherokees by the American Board of Foreign Missions are not its Agents, & therefore not exempted from the operative of the law forbidding white persons to reside among the Cherokees without license. In continuing so to reside you must have known that you were acting in violation of the laws of the State. The mistaken decision of the Superior Court upon this subject in the late case determined in Gwinnett County has enabled you for a time to persist in your opposition to the humane policy which the General Government has adopted for the civilization of the Indians, and in your efforts to prevent their submission to the laws of Georgia. However criminal your conduct in this aspect may have been, I am still desirous that you should have an opportunity of avoiding the punishment which will certainly follow the continuance of your present residence. You are therefore advised to quit it with as little delay as possible. Col. Sanford the Commander of the Guard will be directed to cause to