INDIANS

No. 6

BROWN'S HOTEL, WASHINGTON CITY,

February 26th, 1833

The Hon. Lewis Cass, Sec'ry War,

Sir:- The accompanying papers contains the proceedings of the Cherokee people who reside within that portion of our territory lying within the chartered limits of Tennessee, at their public meetings held in consequence of certain rumor in reference to the design of John Walker Jr. in coming on to this place; and as that individual has since arrived and been some time in this city, and being uninformed of the specific objects of his visit-and in order to meet the request of those of our fellow citizens who have transmitted through us their protest against any improper interference or unauthorized action of said Walker in regard to the affairs of the Nation, we have deemed it our duty to lay the same before your Department.

It has ever been the desire of the constituted authorities of our nation that harmony and good feeling should exist among the people, to secure the interest and welfare of the whole community. And with this feeling they have always endeavored to allay such excitements as are calculated to produce consequences of an unpleasant character.

With considerations of respect, we have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servants.

Signed, JOHN ROSS

RICHARD TAYLOR

JOHN F. BALDRIDGE,

JOSEPH VANN.

_______________

NO.7

DEPARTMENT OF WAR,

Office, Indian Affairs,

February 27th, 1833

Gentlemen,- I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 26th inst. addressed to the Secretary of War, accompanied by certain papers in reference to JOHN WALKER, Jr.

I have the honor to be,

With high respect,

Your ob't serv't

ELBERT HERRING.

Messrs. John Ross and others, Delegates, 'c.

Brown's Hotel.

_______________

NO. 3

BROWN'S HOTEL, WASHINGTON CITY.

March 1st, 1833.

To the Hon. Lewis Cass, Sec'ry War.

Sir,--I deem it proper to advise you that the Delegation find it to be inconvenient to themselves to call on you this morning for the purpose of waiting on the President agreeably to your suggestion. In consequence of which, we have deemed it most proper to address the President a note asking him to state at what time it will be most convenient to himself to see us on the business appertaining to the general concerns of our Nation.

In behalf of the Cherokee Delegation.

I am Sir, Your ob't serv't

JOHN ROSS.

____________________

NO. 9.

BROWN'S HOTEL WASHINGTON CITY,

March 1st, 1833

To His Excellency Andrew Jackson,

President of the United States.

Sir:- In behalf of the Cherokee Delegation, I beg leave to state, that so far as we have had the honor to confer with the Secretary of War upon matters touching the general concerns of our Nation, nothing of a satisfactory character has taken place; nor, is it possible for us to see that anything permanently beneficial to the future tranquility and happiness of our nation can ever grow out of the principle upon which the propositions offered us are based. - The Delegation would therefore respectfully solicit and interview with you, previous to our departure for our homes, and also request to be informed on what day and hour will it be most convenient to yourself to see and converse with us on the momentous concerns of our Nation.

Very respectfully, I have the Honor to be, Sir, Your Ob't Humble Serv't

JNO ROSS.

In behalf of the Cherokee Delegation.

____________________

NO. 10.

Sir:- The President requests me to say in answer to your note of this date that he will be glad to have an interview with you for the purpose of considering the important concerns of your Nation; but that he is now so much pressed by public business that he cannot appoint an earlier time than Tuesday next at 10 o'clock for the interview. If this appointment will be agreeable to you he will expect you in that day 'c.

ANDREW J. DONELSON,

1st March, 1833

Mr. John Ross, Delegate of the Cherokee Nation

___________

NO. 11

Sir:- The appointment made by the President for an interview with the Cherokee Delegation on Tuesday, next at 10 o'clock is accepted. You will therefore please to signify the sam to him accordingly.

Very respectfully,

I am Sir, Yours 'c.

JNO. ROSS

March 2d, 1833

Andrew J. Donelson, Esq. Sec'ry Executive Department.

_______________

NO. 12

Washington City,

March 8th 1833.

The Hon. Lewis Cass, Sec'ry of War,

Sir,- The subject of intrusion on the lands of the Cherokee Nation by the citizens of the United States as you well know, is a fruitful source of unpleasant complaints. The injuries sustained by our citizens from the unlawful practice within the chartered limits of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama have been great and are daily increasing.

And not withstanding we have been so repeatedly assured by the Department that the intruders would be removed from our lands by virtue of the Intercourse Act, where the state laws did not interfere with the exercise of State authority on the part of the General Government-yet strange as it seem to be, it is nevertheless true, that these complaints have not been made to cease by any effectual order from the Department, to the Agent. However, when we reflect and see that the Agent (Col. Montgomery) has himself countenanced ' permitted his own son-in-law, John Hardwick to reside in the nation and to cultivate Cherokee land in the vicinity of the Agency, regardless of the remonstrances of our General Council, it is a circumstance not so much to be wondered at, that he should indulge other intruders who have only followed the example of his son-in-law. From recent information there are many white families who have removed into the Nation, and are now intruding on our lands within the chartered limits of Tennessee: to these facts we would respectfully call the attention of the Department and urge that a speedy and effectual order be given for their immediate removal-should you feel disposed to ascertain from other sources the truth of what we have stated in relation to the conduct of the agent and the situation of John Hardwick, we would respectfully refer you to Capt. Day and Lieut. Dancy the disbursing officers who were lately stationed at the agency. We take leave further to state that there are some individual claims for improvements abandoned on the lands ceded by the Treaties of 1817 ' 1819 which have never been valued and reported upon by the assisting agents. -We would therefore request that you will authorize and direct the Agent or some other person to have said claims collected and reported upon to the Department that the claimants may receive their just compensation for their improvements agreeably to the stipulation of the aforesaid Treaties.

We are very respectfully,

Your Ob't Serv'ts

Jno Ross,

Richard Taylor,

Jno. F. Baldridge,

Joseph Vann.

______________

NO. 18

DEPARTMENT OF WAR,

Office Indian Affairs,

March 14, 1833.

Sir:- Your letter of the 8th inst. addressed to the Secretary of War on the subject of intrusion in Cherokee land by white citizens, has been referred to this office for reply.

It cannot be denied, that your complaints are well founded, and that you have sustained injuries for the rapacity and lawless conduct of our citizens. It is however in some degree an unvoidable (sic) evil incident to the present condition of your tribe, and no blame is fairly attributable to the Department on that account. It is due to the Secretary of War to say, that soon as he received notice of intruders having presented themselves on your land, he gave orders for their expulsion. These orders will now be repeated, and a military force will forthwith be dispatched to the assailed parts of your country, for the purpose of expelling and keeping off intruders. And orders will also be given to the District Attorney of the United States to prosecute for trespass all such as may dare to return after their expulsion. You cannot consider it a misplaced assurance, ' it is made with the utmost sincerity, that the Department cherishes deep solicitude for the welfare of your Nation, and will to the extent of its power, endeavor to promote it.

With high respect.

Your Humble Serv't

ELBERT HERRING

Messrs. Jon. Ross, ' Others (sic) Cherokee Delegates.