d be enforced.

"I am come to carry out that determination. My troops already occupy
many positions in the country that you are to abandon, and thousands
and thousands are approaching from every quarter to render
assistance and escape alike hopeless. All those troops, regular and
militia, are your friends. Receive them, and confide in them as
such. Obey them when they tell you that you can remain no longer in
this country. Soldiers are as kind-hearted as brave, and the desire
of every one of us is to execute our painful duty in mercy. We are
commanded by the President to act toward you in that spirit, and
such is also the wish of the whole people of America.

"Chiefs, headmen, and warriors, will you then by resistance compel
us to resort to arms? God forbid! Or will you by flight seek to hide
yourselves in mountains and forests, and thus oblige us to hunt you
down? Remember, that in pursuit it may be impossible to avoid
conflicts. The blood of the white man or the blood of the red man
may be spilt, and if spilt, however accidentally, if may be
impossible for the discreet and humane among you or among us to
prevent a general war and carnage. Think of this, my Cherokee
brethren! I am an old warrior, and have been present at many a scene
of slaughter; but spare me, I beseech you, the horror of witnessing
the destruction of the Cherokees.

"Do not, I invite you, even wait for the close approach of the
troops; but make such preparations for emigration as you can, and
hasten to this place, to Ross's Landing, or to Gunter's Landing,
where you will be received in kindness by officers selected for the
purpose. You will find food for all, and clothing for the destitute,
at either of those places, and thence at your ease and in comfort be
transported to your new homes according to the terms of the treaty.

"This is the address of a warrior to warriors. May his entreaties be
kindly received, and may the God of both prosper the Americans and
Cherokees, and preserve them long in peace and friendship with each
other. WINFIELD SCOTT."

There was some delay in bringing in the mountain Indians of North
Carolina, but the Indians of Tennessee and Alabama were readily
collected for emigration. General Scott remained with the Georgians,
and followed up his printed addresses by suggestions which proved to
be invaluable.

In a short t