3. Andrew Jackson to Major William B. Lewis, 25 August 1830
My D'r Major,
. . . The Creeks have officially informed us, that they will not meet us. We have answered, that we leave them to themselves, and to the protection of their friend Mr. Wirt, to whose protection they look, and to whom they have given a large fee to protect them in their rights as an independent Nation; and when they find that they cannot live under the laws of Alabama, they must find, at their own expence, and by their won means, a country, and a home. The course of Wirt has been truly wicked. It has been wielded as an engine to prevent the Indians from moving X the Mississippi and will lead to the distruction of the poor ignorant Indians. It must be so, I have used all the persuasive means in my power. I have exonerated the national character from all imputation, and now leave the poor deluded Creeks and Cherokees to their fate, and their annihilation, which their wicked advisors has induced. I am sure the stand the Executive has taken was not anticipated by their wicked advisors. It was expected that the more the Indians would hold out, and oppose the views of the Government, the greater would be the offers made by the Executive, and all the missionary and speculating tribe would make fortunes out of the United States. The answer sent, has blasted these hopes and if I mistake not, the Indians will now think for themselves, and send to the City a delegation prepared to cede their country and move X the M . . .
I am respectfully yr. friend,
Andrew Jackson
3. Andrew Jackson to Major William B. Lewis, 25 Aug 1830, in John S. Bassett, ed., Correspondence of Andrew Jackson vol. 4 (Washington: Carnegie Institute, 1929), 177.