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Show !66 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP- him, that he did not solicit him to lay down his anns, v. and become peaceable: " The terms on which your ~nation can be saved, and peace restored, has already 1814. been disclosed: in this way, and none other, can you obtain safety." If, however, he wished still to continue the war, and felt himself prepared to meet the consequences, although he was then completely in his power, no advantage should be taken of that circumstance ; that he was at perfect liberty to retire, and unite himself with the war party, if he pleased; but if taken, his life should pay the forfeit of his crimes ; if this were not desired, he might remain where he was, and should be protected. Vv eatherford answered, that he desired peace, that his nation might, in some measurtl, be relieved from their sufferings ; that, independent of other misfortunes, growing out of a state of war, their cattle and grain were all wasted and destroyed, and their women and children destitute of provisions. "But," continued he, " I may be well addressed in such language now. There was a time when I had a choice, and could have answered you: I have none now,-even hope has end· cd. Once I could animate my warriors to battle; but I cannot animate the dead. i\1 y warriors can no longer hear my voice: their bones are at Talladega, Tallus· hatchee, Emuckfaw, and Tohopeka. I have not surrendered myself thoughtlessly. Whilst there were chances of success, I never left ~y post, nor supplicated peace. But my people are gone, and I now ask it for my nation, and for myself. On the miseries and misfortunes brought upon my country, I look pack with deepest sm-row, and wish to avert still greater I.IFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 167 calami~es. If I had been left to contend with the CHAP. Georgia army, I would have raised mv com on one V. bank of the river, and fought tl1em on the other; but~ your people have destroyed my nation. you are a 18 14• brave man : I rely upon your generosity. You will exact no terms of a conquered people, but such as they should accede to : whatever they may be, it would now be madness ~md folly to .oppose. If they are op-posed, you shall find me amongst the sternest enforcers ?f obedience. Those who would still hold out, can be I~uenced only by a mean spirit of revenge ; and to thJs they must not, ~md shall not sacrifice the last remn~nt of their country. you have told us where we mJ~ht go, and be safe. This is a good talk, and my nation ought to listen to it. They shall listen to it." The earnestness and bold independence of his conduct le(t no doubt of the sincerity of his professions. The peace part~ became reconciled to him, and agreed t~ bury all ~reviOus. animosities. In a few days after\\ ards, havmg obtamed permission, he set out £ cam . rom ' p, accompamed by a small party' to search throng! the forest,_ for his followers and friends, and persuad~. them to give up a t t · h" b con es ' m w Jch hope seemed t eatanend db · 0 . ' ~n ' y timely submission, to save their nation from still further disasters. .m Thf e present was a favourable moment fi . 1 or ptevent-g_ urt 1er opposition. The enemy, alarmed and, dp~mc _struck, were dispersed, and fleeing in different Irections · . To k eep a1 1-ve the1•r apprehensions and ;~event tl1eir re:overing from the fears with \~hich Ife y. were now a.g 1tated ' '~.a s of t 1le utmost I•m portance. time were g1ven the m t 0 ra 11 y, and form further |