65 174
“THE SENATEWOULD NOT HAVE RATIFIED
THISTREATY [OF INDIAN SPRINGS]”
92
●
JACKSON, ANDREW. Autograph Letter Signed, as Senator, to Edward G.W.
Butler, rejoicing that he survived a steamer wreck while journeying from Charleston to
Savannah, remarking that recent behavior of Georgia Governor George M.Troup has been
devoid of merit, criticizing the designing whites responsible for the Treaty [of Indian
Springs], excusing himself by explaining that he was not in the Senate when the Treaty was
ratified, noting that Col. Butler has returned from FL in good health, and conveying
regards. 2 pages, tall 4to, with integral address leaf; few short separations at folds with minor
loss to text.
Hermitage, 25 July 1825
[4,000/6,000]
“
. . . From your letter I per-
ceive your Southern Tour has
af[f]orded you some amusement
& much information—The
scenes in Georgia give you a
view of human nature when
under the influence of party
excitement, and selfish politi-
cal views—The world had
formed an exalted opinion of
Governor Troup’s talents, but I
believe his late communica-
tions have shorn him of his
character of high talents in
public estimation . . . . No
body did believe that the
Indians had any intention of
committing hostilities on the
whites—The whole excite-
ment was produced by designing
Whitemen to draw the public
attention from the means used
in obtaining this fictitious
Treaty— . . . I am sure that,
with the evidence now before
the nation, the Senate would
not have ratified this Treaty—
What may be the course that
will be taken will much depend
on the information communi-
cated to Congress by the
President . . . . Had I been
present, seeing none of the
old chiefs names to it but
McIntosh, I should have moved
its postponement, & called for information from the President. . . .”
The 1825 Treaty of Indian Springs, in which Creek lands were ceded to Georgia, was ratified by
Congress in early March of that year. McIntosh and other Creek chiefs signed the Treaty despite the
opposition of the Creek National Council, who ordered that anyone giving away Creek land without
the consent of the Council is to be executed. In late April, McIntosh met a large group of Creek war-
riors who, seeing McIntosh, carried out the Council’s order. Congress declared the Treaty null and
void in late January of 1826. A subsequent agreement acceptable to the Creeks was ignored by
Governor Troup, who deployed the state militia to enforce the removal of the Creek inhabitants.