Document 2: Memorial of the Cherokee Nation (Modified)
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America:
By the will of our Father in heaven, the red man of America has become small, and the white man great. When the ancestors of the people of these United States first came to the shores of America, they found the red man strong—though he was ignorant and savage, yet he received them kindly, and gave them dry land to rest their weary feet. They met in peace, and shook hands in token of friendship. Whatever the white man wanted and asked of the Indian, the Indian willingly gave.
At that time the Indian was the lord, and the white man the beggar. But now the scene has changed. The strength of the red man has become weakness. As his neighbors increased in numbers, his power became less, and now, of the many and powerful tribes who once covered these United States, only a few are to be seen—a few whom a sweeping pestilence (disease) has left. The northern tribes, who were once so numerous and powerful, are now nearly extinct. Thus it has happened to the red man of America. Shall we, who are left, share the same fate?
Brothers, we now make known to you our grievances (complaints). We are troubled by some of your own people. Our neighbor, the state of Georgia, is pressing hard upon us, and urging us to give up our land for her benefit. We are told, if we do not leave the country, which we dearly love, and move to the western wilds, the laws of Georgia will be extended over us.
When we first heard of this we were grieved (saddened and upset) and appealed to the president, and begged for protection. But we were doubly grieved when we understood that the president had refused us protection, and that he had decided in favor of the extension of the laws of Georgia over us.
Our forefathers were found in possession of this land by the first European settlers; and as we have never given up nor forfeited this land and our control of it, we do solemnly protest against being forced to leave it, either by direct or by indirect measures.
To the land of which we are now in possession we are attached—it is our father’s gift—it contains their ashes—it is the land of our nativity, and the land of our intellectual birth. We cannot consent to abandon it for another land that is far inferior.
Source: Cherokee Nation, “Memorial of the Cherokee Nation.” January 20, 1830.
Guiding Questions - Answer these questions in your graphic organizer.
1. Why were the Cherokee people “troubled” by the state of Georgia? (Paragraph 3)
2. Why did the Cherokee refuse to leave their land? (Paragraphs 5 and 6)
3. According to the information in THIS DOCUMENT ONLY, why did the U.S. Government pass the Indian Removal Act? (Hint: What does paragraph 3 suggest about Georgia's desire for Indian removal?)
4. Find at least one quote from the document that supports your answer to Question 3.
By the will of our Father in heaven, the red man of America has become small, and the white man great. When the ancestors of the people of these United States first came to the shores of America, they found the red man strong—though he was ignorant and savage, yet he received them kindly, and gave them dry land to rest their weary feet. They met in peace, and shook hands in token of friendship. Whatever the white man wanted and asked of the Indian, the Indian willingly gave.
At that time the Indian was the lord, and the white man the beggar. But now the scene has changed. The strength of the red man has become weakness. As his neighbors increased in numbers, his power became less, and now, of the many and powerful tribes who once covered these United States, only a few are to be seen—a few whom a sweeping pestilence (disease) has left. The northern tribes, who were once so numerous and powerful, are now nearly extinct. Thus it has happened to the red man of America. Shall we, who are left, share the same fate?
Brothers, we now make known to you our grievances (complaints). We are troubled by some of your own people. Our neighbor, the state of Georgia, is pressing hard upon us, and urging us to give up our land for her benefit. We are told, if we do not leave the country, which we dearly love, and move to the western wilds, the laws of Georgia will be extended over us.
When we first heard of this we were grieved (saddened and upset) and appealed to the president, and begged for protection. But we were doubly grieved when we understood that the president had refused us protection, and that he had decided in favor of the extension of the laws of Georgia over us.
Our forefathers were found in possession of this land by the first European settlers; and as we have never given up nor forfeited this land and our control of it, we do solemnly protest against being forced to leave it, either by direct or by indirect measures.
To the land of which we are now in possession we are attached—it is our father’s gift—it contains their ashes—it is the land of our nativity, and the land of our intellectual birth. We cannot consent to abandon it for another land that is far inferior.
Source: Cherokee Nation, “Memorial of the Cherokee Nation.” January 20, 1830.
Guiding Questions - Answer these questions in your graphic organizer.
1. Why were the Cherokee people “troubled” by the state of Georgia? (Paragraph 3)
2. Why did the Cherokee refuse to leave their land? (Paragraphs 5 and 6)
3. According to the information in THIS DOCUMENT ONLY, why did the U.S. Government pass the Indian Removal Act? (Hint: What does paragraph 3 suggest about Georgia's desire for Indian removal?)
4. Find at least one quote from the document that supports your answer to Question 3.