the missionary, who remained in prison until set free by the
will of the governor nearly a year later. A remark attributed to
President Jackson, on hearing of the result in the Supreme Court, may
throw some light on the whole proceeding: ■•John Marshall has made
his decision, now let him enforce it." 1
On the 19th of July. 1832, a public fast was observed throughout
the Cherokee Nation. In the proclamation recommending it, Chief
Ross observes that "Whereas the crisis in the affairs of the Nation
exhibits the day of tribulation and sorrow, and the time appears to be
fast hastening when the destiny of this people must be sealed; whether
it has been directed by the wonted depravity and wickedness of man,
or by the unsearchable and mysterious will of an allwise Being, it
equally becomes us, asa rational and Christian community, humbly to
bow in humiliation," etc. 2
Further attempts were made to induce the Cherokee to remove to
the West, but met the same firm refusal as before. It was learned that
in view of the harrassing conditions to which they were subjected the
Cherokee were now seriously considering the project of emigrating to
the Pacific Coast, at the mouth of the Columbia, a territory then
claimed by England and held by the posts of the British Hudson Bay
Company. The Secretary of War at once took steps to discourage the
movement. 3 A suggestion from the Cherokee that the government
satisfy those who had taken possession of Cherokee lands under the
lottery drawing by giving them instead an equivalent from the unoc-
cupied government lands was rejected by the President.
In the spring of 1834