f Indians in the southern district,
amounting probably to 14,000 fighting men, and to attach them firmly to
the United States, may be regarded as highly worthy of the serious
attention of Government.

"The measure includes not only peace and security to the whole southern
frontier, but is calculated to form a barrier against the colonies of a
European power which in the mutations of policy may one day become the
enemy of the United States. The fate of the Southern States, therefore,
or the neighboring colonies may principally depend on the present
measures of the Union toward the southern Indians.

"By the papers which have been laid before the Senate it will appear
that in the latter end of the year 1785 and the beginning of 1786
treaties were formed by the United States with the Cherokees, the
Chickesaws, and Choctaws. The report of the commissioners will show the
reasons why a treaty was not formed at the same time with the Creeks.

"It will also appear by the papers that the States of North Carolina and
Georgia protested against said treaties as infringing their legislative
rights and being contrary to the Confederation. It will further appear
by the said papers that the treaty with the Cherokees has been entirely
violated by the disorderly white people on the frontiers of North
Carolina.

"The opinion of the late Congress respecting the said violation will
sufficiently appear by the proclamation which they caused to be issued
on the 1st of September, 1788.

"By the public newspapers it appears that on the 16th of June last a
truce was concluded with the Cherokees by Mr. John Steele on behalf of
the State of North Carolina, in which it was stipulated that a treaty
should be held as soon as possible and that in the meantime all
hostilities should cease on either side.

"As the Cherokees reside principally within the territory claimed by
North Carolina, and as that State is not a member of the present Union,
it may be doubted whether any efficient measures in favor of the
Cherokees could be immediately adopted by the General Government.

"The commissioners for negotiating with the southern Indians may be
instructed to transmit a message to the Cherokees, stating to them as
far as may be proper the difficulties arising from the local claims of
North Carolina, and to assure them that the United States are not
unmindful of the treaty at Hopewell, and as soon as the difficulties
which are at present opposed to the