NO. 1.

(COPY)

HEAD OF COOSA,

CHEROKEE NATION,

May, 22d, 1833

Hon. Lewis Cass, Sec'ry of War,

Sir in pursuance of a resolution of the General Council which terminated its session on the 20th inst. at Red Clay, I hasten to transmit you herewith for the information of the President certain resolutions adopted by the Council as an expression of its sentiments on the public affairs of this Nation. In laying them before the President, you will please to permit me through you, to assure him that the peace and happiness of the Cherokee people requires repose, by removing the perplexing difficulties which have so long disturbed their welfare. And that whilst a course of irritating excitement is kept up, the distress of the nation may be increased, but yet, it is evident that the object desired to be attained can never be realized by the observance of it. Should the reason able expectation of the Council be favorably regarded by the President and all further proceedings suspended, he may, rest assured, that no effort, on my part shall be wanting in co-operating with the proper authorities of this nation for the adoption of measures with the view to a final termination of all difficulties; to ensure a calm deliberation upon this important subject, it is indispensably necessary that harmony and tranquility should prevail among the people. You will therefore please to communicate to me the determination of the President on the subject, as soon as convenient.

I have the Honor to be, Sir,

Your Ob't H'ble Serv't

(Signed) JOHN ROSS.

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NO. 2

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Resolutions of the General Council, concerning the present state of National Affairs, transmitted to the Secretary of War for the information of the President of the United States, May 20th 1833

Whereas the several communications embracing the correspondence between the late Delegation to Washington and the Honorable Secretary of War in reference to the public affairs of this Nation having been read in General Council and the Principal Chief having fully stated, in the presence of said delegation, the several conversations had with the President and Secretary on this subject; the following resolutions be and are hereby adopted as an expression of the sentiments of the Council in relation thereto.

Resolved by the Committee and Council in General Council Convened, That the portion maintained by the delegation in support of the rights of this Nation be and is hereby approved.

Resolved, That the Council view with regret the evasive and unsatisfactory manner in which the Hon. Secretary has replied to the several subjects introduced before him by the Delegation. The question of our national rights having been so clearly recognized and established by every department of the General Government, and as defined by various subsisting treaties, laws enacted in the spirit of those treaties, and decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States; the Cherokees cannot but feel with deep regret and sensibility the evil consequences arising from the oppressions by state authorities and the entire suspension of fulfillment on the part of the Government of those solemn pledges so repeatedly made for their protection.

Resolved, That under existing circumstances the nation is in a state of duress, and that until removed it cannot properly exercise that freedom of deliberation and action so desirable and necessary for the final termination of present difficulties, and being convinced that the country west of the Mississippi to which the Government has invited the removal of the Cherokees, as a nation, under the present unsettled policy of the Government in relation to the Indian tribes; and should they be compelled by the force of circumstances contrary to every principle of justice and humanity to leave the 'land of their Fathers' the Council can determine no other alternative promising relief than a removal beyond the limits of the United States; but having confidence yet in the good faith of the Government of the United States and no desire to remove west of the Mississippi nor to leave the limits of the United States and being solicitous to have a speedy termination of present difficulties.

Resolved, That the basis and terms of the late proposition is offered by the Government being objectionable and aware of the limited powers of the President, it is inexpedient for the nation at present, to determine, as a final resort, that course necessary to be pursued, until some further act of the ensuing Congress in relation to this important matter.

Be it further Resolved, That if the President will cause all further illegal proceedings on the part of Georgia and Alabama to cease within the limits of this nation, and will suspend further proceedings through the Agents of the Government, the proper authorities of this nation with a view to the final termination of all difficulties will adopt such measures as will bring before the General Government at the next session of Congress this subject upon such fair and honorable principles, as, in their opinion, justice and magnanimity will not fail to sanction.

Be it further Resolved, That the Principal Chief be and he is hereby requested to transmit a copy of the foregoing resolutions to the Honorable Secretary of War for the information of the President of the United States.

RICH'D TAYLOR, Pres't N. Com.

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Concurred-GOING X SNAKE

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Speaker of Council.

Approved- JOHN ROSS

Principal Chief.

Wm. ROGERS, Clerk N. Com.

A. M'COY, Clerk Council.

In General Council, Red Clay Cherokee Nation, May 20th 1833

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NO. 3

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DEPARTMENT OF WAR

June 20th 1833

Sir,- I am instructed to inform you, that your letter of the 22nd ult. has been received and submitted to the President.

The President considers it useless to continue any farther correspondence on the subject of the Cherokee difficulties. Neither in the propositions, you have transmitted nor in the spirit in which they are dictated, does he see any hope of a change in the councils and conduct of those, who have obtained an ascendancy over the unhappy Cherokee people. The terms already offered are extremely liberal. And it is believed they are satisfactory to the citizens of the United States, and would be so to the Cherokees, were they permitted to exercise their own judgment in the matter. No essential alterations will be made in them, and if the event is unfortunate for your people, the fault must rest with those, who have acquired their confidence and now mislead them

Very respectfully, I am, Sir, Your Ob't Serv't

JOHN ROBB.

Acting Secretary of War.

Mr. John Ross

Head of Coosa, Cherokee Nation.