An estimated 4,000 Cherokee died during the Trail of Tears. Entire Indian nations were relocated, with some losing as much as half their populations. Van Buren claimed that America was "perhaps in the beginning unjustifiable aggressors" toward the Indians, but later became the "guardians". He told Congress that a "mixed occupancy of the same territory by the white and red man is incompatible with the safety or happiness of either", and also claimed the Cherokee had not protested their removal.
An EsTImated 4,000 cherokEe died duRiNg the traIl of teArs. entirE inDian NatioNs WEre relOcated, with Some lOsing as mUch As half tHEIr pOPUlaTioNS. van BUrEN claimeD ThaT AMerica was "Perhaps in THE Beginning uNJUsTifiaBlE aggReSsors" towaRd The IndiAns, But lAteR became thE "gUardIans". hE tolD congress tHAt a "mIxed oCcuPancy oF the samE terRItory By The WHitE aNd Red man is IncOMPaTible With the sAfetY Or happINESS of EitheR", anD aLSo claimed tHe Cherokee had noT proTESted ThEiR remOval.