Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Letter to Martin Van Buren" (1838) was written in response to the government's efforts to remove the Cherokee people from their native lands.
Emerson expresses the "eastern distaste for President Jackson's removal policies," by reiterating to Martin Van Buren,"The newspapers now inform us, that, in December 1835, a treaty contracting for the exchange of all the Cherokee territory, was pretended to be made by an agent on the part of the United States with some persons appearing on the part of the Cherokees; that the fact afterwards transpired that these deputies did by no means represent the will of the nation, and that out of eighteen thousand souls composing the (Cherokee) nation, fifteen thousand six hundred and sixty eight have protested against the so called Treaty.
It now appears that the Government of the United States choose to hold the Cherokees to this sham treaty, and are proceeding to execute the same (Emerson, 1269).
Primary topics for those recognized with the Transcendentalist Movement included the War with Mexico, the treatment of Native Americans, and the ongoing practice of slavery.
He continues, "On the broaching of this question, a general expression of despondency,-of disbelief that any good will accrue from a remonstrance on an act of fraud and robbery-appeared in those men to whom we naturally turn for aid and counsel.
This letter was meant to burden the conscience of Van Buren and question whether the president’s actions would represent the will of the American people.
Emerson was a big supporter that man was created equal, and therefore, it would be morally wrong to strip the Cherokees of their native land.
Even though the letter was not enough to prevent the government from proceeding in its aggressive expansion, it created the opportunity for Americans to stand up and support the idea of treating the Indians as equals.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s tone in his letter to Van Buren was very articulate and helped better his argument in favor of the Cherokee tribe.
As the letter unfolds, Emerson reveals a deep respect for Martin Van Buren and his position as president; however, he remains steadfast in his defense of the Cherokee territory.
Emerson directly challenges Van Buren’s honesty regarding the United States relations with the Indian people.
While maintaining this sense of respect throughout his entire letter, Emerson continues to push his point, consistently challenging the president to consider the Native American’s side of the matter.
"[1] Emerson deliberately left out the terms of the treaty in order to force Van Buren to acknowledge the reality of what the American government was in the process of doing to the Cherokee people.