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should ever pay for any thing we were doing for them. But here it may be said that the Cherokees do not pay for mission improvements, but the United States pay for them, even according to the treaty. Now if the Cherokee believed this it would do very well, because there is but little reason to fear but what they will have money enough. But the fact is they do not believe it. They say that the $5,000,000 was offered for their land and possessions, that is, for their possessions, and that what is taken from that is taken from them. It is also said that Mr. Schermerhorn, previous to his council at New Echota, said that the Cherokees had received the benefit of mission improvements, and therefore they should pay for them: and that, at the council, he took the same position, arguing in the same manner that the Cherokee ought to pay for said improvements because they had enjoyed the benefit of them referring to Catherine Brown as a specimen of improvement. On the other hand (it is said) Mr. James has opposed the motions on the ground that the Cherokees never agreed to pay for missions improvements, but that if they must be paid for the United States, and not the churches ought to pay for them. But Mr. Schermerhorn still hesitated, saying that to oppose paying for said improvements was to oppose religions, whereas would render this cause unpopular or to this effort. Being strengthened by a few of the Cherokees he at length carried his point in making the Cherokees pay for mission improvements, and accordingly decided that pay for said improvements should be taken out of the five millions of Dollars to be paid the Cherokees. Whether the above statements are correct, those who were present can determine; but while they are supposed correct, they establish the point in the minds of such as have heard of them that the council (at New Echota) decided that the Cherokees and not the United States should pay for mission improvements

Now as Mr. Schermerhorn was a minister, who preferred much friendship to the mission cause, and visited all the stations, the people generally will not readily, believe that the missionaries were ignorant of his intentions. They doubtless blame us as having been instrumental, directly or indirectly, in bringing this about so as to secure payment for our stations. And while they suppose this, they will honestly class us among other white men who have manifested said duplicity such double dealing as to forfeit forever their confidence.

And further the resolution to support the missionaries on the way, and a year after their arrival at Arkansas and, eminated from a mind entirely above the common Indians, and how ardently so were all might desire to have all participate in such a mind, yet they are not prepared for it. And should