dent nations.

The steps taken to prevent intrusion upon Indian lands had their origin
with the commencement of our Government, and became the subject of
special legislation in 1802, with the reservations which have been
mentioned in favor of the jurisdiction of the States. With the exception
of South Carolina, who has uniformly regulated the Indians within her
limits without the aid of the General Government, they have been felt
within all the States of the South without being understood to affect
their rights or prevent the exercise of their jurisdiction, whenever
they were in a situation to assume and enforce it. Georgia, though
materially concerned, has on this principle forborne to spread her
legislation farther than the settlements of her own white citizens,
until she has recently perceived within her limits a people claiming to
be capable of self-government, sitting in legislative council,
organizing courts and administering justice. To disarm such an anomalous
invasion of her sovereignty she has declared her determination to
execute her own laws throughout her limits--a step which seems to have
been anticipated by the proclamation of 1783, and which is perfectly
consistent with the nineteenth section of the act of 1802. According to
the language and reasoning of that section, the tribes to the South and
the Southwest are not only "surrounded by settlements of the citizens of
the United States," but are now also "within the ordinary jurisdiction
of the individual States." They became so from the moment the laws of
the State were extended over them, and the same result follows the
similar determination of Alabama and Mississippi. These States have each
a right to claim in behalf of their position now on this question the
same respect which is conceded to the other States of the Union.

Toward this race of people I entertain the kindest feelings, and am not
sensible that the views which I have taken of their true interests are
less favorable to them than those which oppose their emigration to the
West. Years since I stated to them my belief that if the States chose to
extend their laws over them it would not be in the power of the Federal
Government to prevent it. My opinion remains the same, and I can see no
alternative for them but that of their removal to the West or a quiet
submission to the State laws. If they prefer to remove, the United
States agree to defray their expenses, to supply them the means of
tran