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Nathaniel Smith:
Correspondence Regarding Cherokee Removal
1837
April - 1837:
Emigration
Cherokee – S289
0153
Hon.
C.A.
Harris
Cherokee
Agency East
Corrs. Ind
Affairs
24th
April 1837
Sir,
In
my letter to you of the 28th last month, I informed you that
I had
sent collecting agents to the different parts of the Cherokee Country
to ascertain
if a Detachment could be collected to leave for the west early [?] next
month.
These
agents have returned and report that they found but one family of the
[?] that
are willing to remove this spring.
The
Cherokees who say anything about removing, say they will go this fall,
but a
large majority of them will not talk on the subject, particularly the
over Hill
Landing (all so called that [?] part of the road [?] [?] from [?] Tennessee by
[?] [?] to Georgia)
[?] 6,000 in [?]. Ask them when they are
going to remove west and they will answer you by saying they would
rather die
here than go west to die.
This
is the feeling of at least 99 out of the 100 of that part of the nation. I have not yet been able to get [?] part of
that bounds to emigrate. One individual
John (Love, a half breed) attended at New Echota where the treaty was
made, Mr.
Schermerhorn there given him a public blanket. When
he returned home to the Valley Tennessee and
let it be known that
the blanket was given him by a [?] state officer, the Indians collected
took
his [crossed out]
0154
blanket
from him, made a fire and burned and danced around it.
This will give you some idea of their
feeling, but I do assure you that nothing but the presence of the
military
force keeps them from shedding of blood. They
say that the Treaty making party does not
consist of more than five
hundred persons. The balance (?) I
discover are the adherents of Mr. John Ross and are more devoted to him
than I
have ever seen persons devoted to any man.
Genl.
Wool is now making a tour through their country and giving them talks
in which
he urges on them the prosperity of their early embracing the provisions
of the
Treaty and preparing to be off at least half the tribe this fall, that
he will
not suffer them all to remain and be forced off at the end of the 2
years that
at least half must go this fall.
This
tour of the Generals I think will have a good effect.
The Indians both love and fear him, and I
think will pay attention to what he says to them, particularly at this
tour as
information has just reached the Indians that John Ross and his
delegation had
been viewed by the President Mr. Van Buren and treated very kindly and
friendly, but told by him that nothing could be done to alter or annul
the treaty,
that it had been ratified by the Senate. Appropriations made to carry
it into
[?] effect and must be enacted. This
information I think will cause the most of the leading Ross men to come
into
the measures of the Government
0155
and
prepare to be off early this fall.
I
have dispersed with the services (for the present) of all the agents at
the
different stations except McCollough and D[?]. Then
I shall return (?) to issue to the emigrants
that are collected and
collect such as may get ready and wish to remove in [?].
I
am very respectfully,
Nat
Smith
Supt.
Of Removal
P.S.
Since writing the above I am informed by a Cherokee of the Ross party
that a
letter was read to a [?] of Cherokees (collected for the purpose at
Lewis
Rosses at five evenings since) from Jno Ross in which he informs them
that he
had one interview with the President Mr. Van Buren at which himself and
delegation was treated very kindly and friendly, but told candidly that
nothing
could be done to alter or annul the treaty. He
(Ross) speaks very kindly of the President and
advises, that as many
of his people as possible get ready to be off for the west this fall,
that they
must in patience do the best they can (that he is done).
If this is the fact and I have no reason to
doubt this, we may prepare for at least 8,000 to [?] immigrate this
fall, and I
will not be surprised if 10,000 goes if they can be provided for.
The
favorable impressions that the President made on the delegation at this
interview I have no doubt
0156
will
have a very happy effect on the future movements of the Cherokees.
Very
respectfully
Nat.
Smith
Supt.
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S289. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
Emigration
Cherokee - S290
0158
Hon. C.A.
Harris
Cherokee
Agency East
Comm. Ind. Affairs
26th
April 1837
Sir
I
have the honor to inform you that two of the
agents (Myers Cannon and Tunny (?)) who went with the Detachment of
Cherokees
West, have returned to this place, having made the trip in 28 days (7
of which
they did not travel). They report that
Doctor
Young (Conducting Agent) mustered out of the boats every individual
that was
here mustered in, not a death or birth occurred, that they left the
Indians in
good health and spirits, and very much delighted with their new homes.
This
highly favoured trip and the substance of Mr.
Jno Ross’s letter made known, will have a wonderful influence on
future
emigration, the prospects for which are now daily brightening.
Very
Respectfully,
Nat.
Smith
Supt. of Removal
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S290. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
May
- 1837:
Emigration
Cherokee – S313
0160
Hon. C.A.
Harris
Cherokee
Agency East
Com. Ind. Affairs
10h
May 1837
Sir,
As
I anticipated, the news of Mr. Jno Ross, not being able in his late
interview
with the President Mr. Van Buren, to get any alteration or modification
of the
treaty, has spread rapidly, and made a great change in the prospects
for
emigration.
About
130 Cherokees have enrolled themselves at this place and Ross’
Landing since I
last wrote you who say they will go, whenever I say they must, but I
would
prefer not to leave until Sept. next.
If
I can get a party of only 500 willing to go early in next month, I will
send
them. I find very few that are willing
to leave until fall, and I doubt the policy of sending them in warm
weather
unless they are entirely agreed. From
the best information I can get, there are 4 or 500 families of the
Cherokees in
Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama (but chiefly in Georgia) that have been
turned
out of their houses and farms by the whites and who are now living in
camps in
the woods and have no place to raise any thing to subsist on. Those of them who make complaint to me, and I
find wrongfully turned out (which is in 19 cases out of 20) I
repossess, agreeably
to the 16th article of the treaty. I
am endeavouring to get as many of these, and all
others, to come in
and receive rations, until I am in readiness to send them off. I have
0161
had
to put two white men and their families out of the Tennessee part of the Cherokee
Country
before I could make them let the Indians alone.
I
learn with deep regret that the Hon. Secretary of War has issued an
order
relieving Genl. Wool from his command here. This
measure will seriously injure the cause of
emigration. I have written the Hon.
Secretary, my views
on the subject, and I do predict that the most serious consequences
will grow
out of his leaving at this time. The
Indians and whites, generally, have every confidence in his just,
efficient and
decisive course. And no man can come
here and render the government and the Indians as much service as he
can.
Very
respectfully,
Nat.
Smith
Supt.
Of Removal
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S313. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
Emigration
Cherokee – S342
0164
Hon. C.A.
Harris
[?]
McNairs C. N.
Com. Ind. Affairs
17h
May 1837
Sir
The
Cherokees continue to come in and enroll. I
have now at the different points of collecting,
near 400 enrolled who
are receiving rationing, and the numbers increasing daily.
Doctor young and all the agents who
accompanied the first detachment have returned, all in good health.
Very
respectfully
Nat.
Smith
Supt.
Of Removal
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S342. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
June - 1837
Emigration
Cherokees S368
0173
Hon.
C.A.
Harris
Cherokee
Agency East
Com. Ind. Affairs
Jun 5th, 1837
Sir,
I
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the
20th
ult. transmitting copies of two letters from Lieut. Van Horne and an
extract of
one from Doctor Minis. As Lieut. Van
Horne condemns the course I pursued in removing the last detachment of
Cherokees to the west, and has been fit to make charges of a nature
involving
the rectitude of my official conduct, I deem it but justified to give
you a
statement of all the facts connected therewith in order to enable you
to judge
whether there be any truth in his allegations.
When
I entered upon the duties of Superintendent of Cherokee Removals as I
stated to
you in a former communication, on my arrival at New Echota, GA on the 23rd
of January las, Genl. Wool informed me that he had been subsisting from
three
to four
0174
hundred
Cherokees who were willing to remove west in the spring, and that as
the
provisions were nearly exhausted he invited me to take charge of them,
which I
accordingly did. I borrowed some
provisions from the Genl. as none were to be purchased at or near that
place
and immediately commenced making preparations to remove them to the
river where
provisions could be obtained at a less cost, and where they might be
kept in readiness
to embark for the west at a moments’ warning.
Where I made known to the Indians that I was ready
to send them either
to this place in Ross’ Landing, whichever they might prefer, a
large majority
of them preferred to leave until their subsistence was commuted,
alleging as a
reason that Cherokees heretofore removed west were provisioned by the
government officers with the promise that they would be paid for their
improvements and receive a commutation for a year’s subsistence
on their
arrival at their new homes, and that when they arrived there they could
not
obtain either. On the contrary, they
were compelled to take their rations in
0175
kind
to obtain which they were constrained to settle in the vicinity of the
agency
where they were issued, in order that they might be enabled to draw
every three
or four days, or otherwise lose them. By
this means they were prevented from removing to the interior where they
intended to fix their permanent homes. This
information they stated was obtained from many
Cherokees then in
this country who had removed west and returned to adjust their claims. Maj. Ridge and other leaders of the treaty
making party urged the Indians to commute before they left –
asserting that
they had a right to this commutation under the treaty, and that it
might to be
paid them. I consulted the commissioners
who differed in opinion on the subject. Mr.
Lumpkin thought that I ought to pay them before
they removed and Mr.
Kennedy was of opinion that they should not be paid until they arrived
at their
new homes. They told me however to act
as I though proper as in either case I would have one of them to
coincide with
me. I then consulted Genl. Wool and Col.
Jno Williams both of whom were of opinion
0176
that
I could with great advantage to the service and safety to myself pay
them
before they took their departure. John
Ridge urged the subject most clamorously and said that when the treaty
was
under discussion it was understood by the Cherokees that they were to
obtain
their commutation east, and in support of his opinion quoted the words
of the 8th
article where it is stated, “and such persons and families as in
the opinion of
the emigrating agent are capable of removing and subsisting themselves
shall be
permitted to do etc”, and argued that the emigrating agent was
the sole judge
as to who should be allowed to commute; and that as his station was
east if
they removed west without it, they would in all probability be
compelled to
receive their rations in kind, as was the case with many who had
previously
emigrated. Under these circumstances I
had to decide whether I should commute their subsistence and remove as
many as
possible, speedily and to their satisfaction; or refuse to commute,
bring down
upon me the opposition and ill-will of the whole treaty making party,
and fail
in removing any. I resolved after mature
deliberation
0177
to
adopt the former course believing it to be the true feeling of the
government
and satisfied that I was the only one by which I could succeed in
starting a
detachment. In allowing them to commute
I was as careful as I possibly could be to see that more received their
allowance save those who knew how to care of it. Owing
to many being unknown to me, some few
may have received it who should not; although every precaution was
taken to
avoid such a result. I requested the
Cherokee committee then in session to decide, and did not commute for
any
unless recommended by them, and in some instances refused to commute
after they
had been recommended when I believed the applicants to be incapable of
making a
prudent use of their money.
In
starting the party I purchased and forwarded with them 78 barrels of
flour,
near 12,000 lbs. of bacon, and about 150 bushels of corn meal. To convey the last item I purchased domestic
and had sacks made and directed Dr. Young as they were expected to give
them to
the poor Cherokees
0178
of
the party. My reason for sending such a
quantity of provisions was to guard against the emigrants suffering in
case of
detention on the way, as had been the case with all the parties
previously
removed by water as I was informed, none of which had ever reached
their
destination in less than ten weeks, and that last party had been even
three
months on the way and suffered greatly from provisions.
Another reason was that I purchased the
articles cheaper than they could have been obtained in any part of the United States
viz; 50 barrels of flour at $8.00 per barrel and 200 at $7.50 –
bacon at 11 cts
per lb., and corn meal at less than sixty cents per bushel. This was transported with the Cherokees at a
very trifling additional expense. As
these articles must necessarily have been in great demand in the west,
and
would if thrown into the market bring considerably more than cost the
sale of the
surplus should there be any I suppose would be an easy matter; and it
is not a
little astonishing to me that Mr. Van Horne should complain of having
this
0179
duty
selling a few barrels of flour and a few hundred pounds of bacon
imposed upon
him. Of course it cannot be supposed by
anyone that I possessed data sufficient when the party started to have
enabled
me to form a precise estimate of the quantity of provisions the
emigrants would
require. Either a surplus or deficiency
in his arrival of the party west was rendered therefore extremely
probable; and
I presume the commissioner will agree with me in opinion that of the
two
alternatives it was desirable to avoid the latter.
I
herewith transmit a copy of my instructions to the conducting agent Dr.
Young
marked A. The doctor was taken sick with
the measles on this day the party arrived at its destination and was
confined
to his bed fifteen days. This he
informed me was the cause of his leaving the party.
As
respects the promises of the agents to the emigrants that they would be
paid
their commutation on their arrival west, it was necessary to make them
in order
to induce them to remove. Even those
0180
who
were in favor of the treaty refused to leave under any other conditions.
In
Mr. Van Horne’s letter of the 3rd ult. he is pleased
to state, “yet
about two thirds of the party agreeable to a roll handed me by Col.
Armstrong
were paid both his commuted allowance for transportation and
subsistence east
of the Mississippi.” This assertion I pronounced utterly false and
without the least foundation. As
respects their commuted transportation, there were but ten persons out
of the
466 that did commute, viz; Saml. McCameron and family, consisting of
eight
persons, and Leonard and William Hicks. They
commuted at New Echota, GA with a view to
remove themselves, and subsequently
changed their minds and resolved to go by water with their friends. At Tuscumbia,
Ala. on the
day his boat left
they refunded to me the amount paid ($90 per head) for which I gave
them my
receipt, and appointed their names on a
0181
roll
previously prepared in my own hand writing of those who had commuted
their
transportation and subsistence I entered “refunded”. This money I have none in my possession.
On
taking the emigrants from this place and Ross’ and Gunter’s
Landings, I had to
purchase eleven flat boats at a cost of near $400.
On my arrival at Decatur the river was so low that I
could not
get them over the shoals with safety and in time, and I therefore left
them
with a commission merchant at that place to sell as lighters to freight
cotton
over the shoals, and had the Cherokees transported to Tuscumbia on the
railroad. This commission merchant had
directions to sell them as soon as possible, and remit me the proceeds,
which
when received I will turn over to one of the disbursing agents,
together with
the $200 above mentioned – take their
0182
receipts
therefore and forward them to your office.
Mr.
Van Horne further says “that instructions to his superintendent
east require
him to forward to me rolls in detail of all who emigrate.
Yet members continue to arrive by land who
inform me that they have not received their allowance “among
these are Tho. B.
Wattie, Storie etc. “. There are
Cherokees of whom I know nothing, and I am informed that at least one
hundred
young men have left since the ratification of the treaty without the
knowledge
of the superintendent, and without arranging their business. This is a matter not in my power to control.
As
regards the commutation subsistence of David Gade it is quite probable
that it
was paid to Calvin Wolf as stated by Mr. Van Horne.
Wolf and Gade are brothers-in-law, and lodged
and drew rations together for some time at New
0183
Echota. This was the case with many families of
Cherokees. When I commenced making out
their accounts for commutation the head of the family gave in the names
of all
who had been drawing rations in said family. This
I did not discover until I had mixed with them
nearly a month. As soon as it was
ascertained I directed the
head of the family to be punctual either in paying over the money, or
subsisting the Indians for whom they drew, whichever they might prefer. The arrangement gave general satisfaction as
new
complaints were made on this side of the Mississippi.
In
Mr. Van Horne’s letter of the 11th ult. he remarks,
“since my return
to this part, I have met with an assistant agent who accompanied the
party of
the Cherokees. He informed me that the
roll of the party turned over to me is inaccurate, and cannot be
depended on -
that within a space of six inches
0184
on
one page of the roll the same person is three times enrolled under
different
names, opposite one is the remark commuted sub. east of the Miss.” This I pronounce to be untrue and as
unfounded as some other assertions of Mr. Van Horne.
I am perfectly satisfied there was no
individual so mustered, nor was there any such remark made in the roll
unless
it was done after I signed it by some unauthorized person.
The roll turned over to Dr. Young is an
accurate copy of the one I forwarded to your office on the 29th
of March
last, in which I do not think a remark similar to the one
above-mentioned can
be found. The roll of those emigrants
whose commutation their transportation and subsistence was contained in
a small
menu book which Dr. Young was directed to hand over to the agent who
received
the detachment from him. It may not have
been purchased according to forms;
0185
but
owing to my recent appointment, and the great press of business in my
hands at
the time it was the best in my power to make under the circumstances.
My
reason for asserting positively that there is no truth in the statement
of Lt.
Van Horne “that the same individual is three times enrolled under
different names”
is that I made an attempt to muster those who had embarked at this
place, but
owing to the great excitement amongst them consequent when leaving
their
country and friends, and from many of them too being in a state of
intoxication
I failed in accomplishing. The attempts
were again made at Ross’ and subsequently at Gunter’s
Landing, with the same
result, and I was compelled to defer it until I reached Tuscumbia, Ala. When
the boats were ready to receive them at
the latter place, I directed the Indians to convey all their baggage in
board
and then compelled
0186
all
to go ashore except Maj. Ridge, wife and some six or seven old and sick. I then took the roll previously prepared, and
had a plank laid from the shore to one of the boats and directed the
interpreter to call them by heads of families as they were entered in
the roll,
and gave my whole attention to see that every member of each family, as
there
entered, passed into the boast on the plank. I
stood so near that I could have touched any one
that passed. This all took pace during a
period of great
confusion on the shore – some drunk, others quarreling, etc;
still no such
error as that mentioned by Mr. Van Horne could possibly have occurred. If there was any error it lay in having one
family of Scrapers more in the roll than should have been there. This was either Long Shell or Soft Shell
Scraper, I am not certain which. Some
confusion existed at the time relation to these
0187
families
which I could not explain, but was in paper. Dr.
Young would detect the error, if any, when they
were mustered out of
the boast. One error I committed though
not noticed in Mr. Van Horne’s letter was in omitting to place an
idiot
daughter of John
Ridge
on the roll. She remained on the boats
with the old and
sick, and the mistake did not occur to me until after I had forwarded
the roll
to your office.
I
cannot imagine upon what authority Mr. Van Horne makes his assertive
relation
to the Black Bird families etc, etc. without having been at the boat
when the
emigrants arrived at their destination. I
am disposed to believe that the various assertions
contained in his
letter of the 7th and 11th ult., arose from his
not
understanding the roll handed him by Col. Armstrong.
This roll contained the names of all those
who had commuted their trans-
0188
-portation
and subsistence east of the Miss.,
to include the 14th
March 1837 – those that removed themselves as well as
those of the
last detachment. From this roll it may
appear that two thirds have commuted their transportation and
subsistence, for
it will be recollected that many commuted who were not removed by the
government but have and will remove themselves.
I
cannot conceive what motion could have influenced Lt. Van Horne to make
this
gratuitous denunciation of an individual unknown to him.
Presuming however that he was merely
misinformed as to the true state of the case, I have only to request
that he be
required to furnish the names of the asst. agent and others who led him
to make
statements so totally at variance with the truth.
It
is in your power, and I hope you will exercise it, to ascertain
0189
whether
Mr. Van Horne or myself is correct. The
master roll of the detachment is in your possession, and by requiring
the
disbursing officers to forward the amounts of those who received
commutations,
and comparing them with same roll, should any be found – except
McCameron and
the Hicks who received their commutation -- transported in this
detachment, I
shall not consider myself unfairly treated to receive a notification
from you
that the department has no further use for my services.
As
to Jackson
King
mentioned in Mr. Van Horne’s letter of the 11th the
Revd. Blunt of
the Brainerd Mission informed me that he had lawfully married him to
Maria Gade
a Cherokee woman now here.
The
business of removing the Indians was certainly new to me, and I have
found it
very laborious and troublesome, owing to the great opposition
0190
to
the treaty throughout the nation. To
obtain their consent to remove occasions me much more trouble than to
provide
for them after they have consented. In
what I have done I have exercised my best judgment.
If any errors have been committed they were
not intentional; for I entered upon my duties with the fixed
determination to
remove the Indians in conformity with the wishes of the government, and
as much
to the satisfaction of the Cherokees themselves as an upright,
decisive,
energetic, and humane course could effect. How
far I have succeeded in this object remains for
the commissioner to
determine.
With
respect to the extracts from the letter of Dr. Minis.
I have to remark that I believe the number of
agents and interpreters employed indispensable to the conduct of the
Indians to
the west to their satisfaction. The
medicines and hospitals those forwarded with them
0191
were
no more than would have been necessary in case of detention on the way,
and I
considered it my duty to provide for a contingency of that nature, by
no means
unlikely to happen. Had an epidemic
broken out amongst them, would I have been complying with the treaty
and with
the common dictates of humanity to have furnished them with an
insufficient
supply of medicines? In regard to the
loss which Dr. Minis asserts the government will have to sustain in
consequence
of having more provisions than it appeared were necessary.
I think it will be found, should proper
measures be taken to dispose of them that the government will gain by
the
commutation.
I
have to apologize for the length of this communication. It is much
longer than
I intended it should be — longer probably than there is in any
necessity
for. My anxiety to justify myself in
your opinion must prove my
0192
excuse;
and I infer that you will take the trouble to have all the facts
corrected with
the last movement thoroughly investigated and information of the result
forwarded to me.
Could
the commissioner make it convenient to visit this section of country
and see
the many difficulties the undersigned has to content with, it would be
greatly
for the interest of the service, and I sincerely hope that he will be
able to
pass two or three weeks here in the course of the season.
I
have the honor to be very respectfully your obedient servant,
Nat.
Smith
Supt.
C. Removal
P.S. I expect to be able to forward you my
quarterly abstract by the next mail.
N.S.
0193
Copy
A
0194
Copy
Doct.
Jno. S. Young
Tuscumbia, Ala.
Conducting
Agent
14th March 1837
Sir
You
will take charge of the detachment of Cherokees now on board of the
steamer Newark
at this landing and
deliver them at their homes in the country assigned them west, or to
such
agents as may be directed to receive them from you.
Doctor Minis will accompany you as disbursing
agent for the detachment.
Very
respectfully,
Nat.
Smith
Supt.
C. Removal
Source: National Archives Microfilm
Publications, Microcopy
574, Roll 4, S368. Transcribed by Roy
Boney, Jr.
Emigration
Cherokees S367
0168
Honl.
C.A.
Harris
Cherokee
Agency East
Comm. Ind. Affairs
5th
June 1837
Sir
Since
I had the honor to receive your letter of the 29th April
enclosing a
copy of one from Col. M. Armstrong Supt. West. I
have ceased to commute the year’s
subsistence for any Cherokee. I assure
them that they will get it on their arrival west. Those
who I believe capable of removing
themselves I permit to do so, and commute their transportation and give
them a
certificate of which the enclosed is a copy.
Very
Respectfully
Nat.
Smith
Supt.
Of Removal
0170
Copy
Cherokee
Agency East
24th
May 1837
The
bearer __________________ the head of a Cherokee family is permitted to
no more
himself and family consisting of _____Cherokees and _______slaves to
the
country assigned the Cherokees west of the Mississippi, having been
paid
_______dollars for the transporting the same. He
will report to the Cherokee agents on his arrival
west,
(signed)
[Williamson]
Smith
Supt.
Of Removal
Source: National Archives Microfilm
Publications, Microcopy
574, Roll 4, S367. Transcribed by Roy
Boney, Jr.
Emigration
Cherokees S383
0196
Honl.
C.A.
Harris
Cherokee
Agency East
Com. Ind. Affairs
June 22nd 1837
Sir,
In
my letter to you of the ___ inst. I
informed you that I would by the next mail enclose you my quarterly
abstract,
and should have do so but on the day I wrote I received intelligence
from the
Valley River Towns, that the Indians there had threatened to kill John
Timpson,
one of their principal men who has been advocating the views of the
government
and urging on his people the propriety of early preparing to emigrate
under the
treaty.
I
repaired to that place immediately. Reached
on the 10th and remained until
the 18th
inst. during that time I visited some of the principal men and saw a
great many
of the Indians. I find a very great change
in them since the last fall, I spent 4 months amongst them at that
time, in
command of the 1st Regt. of East Town Volunteers, and I can
now
discover a marked difference in their conduct, they appear much more
stubborn
and distant. They have all done much
more labour in the improvement of their houses and farms than they have
for the
last 5 years. And my impression is that
they will raise more corn, this, than they have for the last two years.
With
the exception of 60 or 70 that have enrolled for emigration they will
not talk
at all on the
0197
subject.
They
denied to me having threatened to kill Timpson, and I could not
establish the
fact clearly enough to have them taken up, but I have no doubt they
have it in
contemplation. The military are instructed
by Genl. Wool to use every precaution to prevent it.
Very
Respectfully,
Nat.
Smith
Supt.
C. Removal
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S383. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
Emigration
Cherokees S388
0199
Honl.
C.A.
Harris
Cherokee
Agency East
Com. Ind. Affairs
24th June 1837
Sir,
I have just learned that Mr. Jno Ross has called on the whole Cherokee
people
to meet him in council at Red Clay, on the 31st of next
month. His object in calling them together
(he says)
is to let them know what the delegation had done for them last winter
at Washington. In this he may be honest, but I have no doubt
if they are suffered to meet at his call or request, they will again
protest
against the treaty and appoint a delegation to visit Washington this
winter
with a view of getting some alteration or modification of the treaty,
and the
consequence will be that I will be unable to get off one eight of the
tribe
this fall.
I
do hope the Hon. Secretary of War will not suffer this council to be
held or
any act done that will destroy the prospects of emigration. If they are permitted to send a delegation
this winter, very few of them will make any preparation to remove until
the tow
years will have expired granted them by the treaty, and we will have a
scene of
confusion that will be shocking to humanity; and if we get through
without
bloodshed I shall be disappointed.
I remain respectfully your obedient servant,
Nat.
Smith
Supt.
C. Removal
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S388. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
July - 1837
Emigration
Cherokees S399
0201
Honl.
C.A.
Harris
Cherokee
Agency East
Com. Ind. Affairs
1st
July 1837
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th
May in which you notify me that you had transmitted to me by mail 40
copies of
revised regulations no. 5. They have not
come to hand. The call of Mr. Ross’s
council over some other cause have put a stop to enrolling for
emigration. None have enrolled since I
last wrote you,
and some that had enrolled and expressed a willingness to remove at any
time
that I would call on them to go, and that were receiving rations have
ceased to
draw within the last few days. Whether
it is the presence of Mr. Ross or what he says to them that caused this
falling
off I am unable to say.
Very
respectfully,
Nat
Smith
Supt
of Removal
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S399. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
Emigration
Cherokees S420
0203
Honl.
C.A.
Harris
New Echota,
Ga.
Com. Ind. Affairs
July 13, 1837
Sir,
I
reached this place on the 11th inst. on my way to Cherokee,
Floyd,
and Paulding
Counties
in this state. Accounts agree from all
parts of the nation
in representing the Cherokees as becoming more distant, and less
disproved to
mix with the whites. Many of them from
the above named Counties have already removed to the mountains, and
more are
preparing to. The white inhabitants in
those counties have become very much alarmed, and petitioned the
Governor of
Georgia for military aid. It appears to
be the general opinion that there will be bloodshed shortly. Col. Lindsay arrived at this place on the 11
inst. with a view of ascertaining the situation of the country. He informs me that his forces will soon be
organized. The prospects for emigration
have not brightened any since I last wrote.
Very
Respectfully
Yr.
Hbl. Sert.
Nat
Smith
Supt.
C. Removal
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S420. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
Emigration
Cherokees S434
0205
Hon.
C.A.
Harris
Cherokee
Agency
Com. Ind. Affairs
20th
July 1837
Sir,
I
returned to this place on last evening from the Georgia part of the
Cherokee
Nation. I found the Indians there as in
the North Carolina
part, distant and sullen, and not disposed to talk on the subject of
emigration. Ross’s intended council
appears at this time to engross their whole attention.
If he is not suffered to hold it I think that
I shall be able to get off 5 or 6 thousand Indians this fall. I discover in traveling amongst them that
there is not as much cause of alarm at this time, as many of the whites
who
live amongst them represent. I find in
many counties of the Cherokee Country volunteer companies are raised
who wish
0206
to
be called into the service of the United States and I have no doubt
there are
many designing persons among them, who exaggerate or even encourage the
Indians
to show signs of hostilities for the sake of being called into service.
Yet
I believe there is at this time a settled determination in at least one
third
of the Cherokees to die on their lands here, in preference to removal
west. Col. Lindsey has sent two
companies of volunteers into the counties of Cherokee, Floyd, Paulding,
and Gilmore
and will station them in some area of these counties if thought
necessary by
the commanding officer Capt. Monrow.
Very
Respectfully
Nat
Smith
Supt.
C. Removal
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S434. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
Emigration
Cherokees S436
0208
Hon.
C.A.
Harris
Cherokee
Agency East
Com. Ind. Affairs
27th
July 1837
Sir,
By
the mail of the 25th I had the honor to receive your letter
of the
12th inst. in which you inform me that a special agent will
be sent
to the intended council to make known the views and intentions of the
government. This I deem a very judicious
arrangement, and I have no doubt will result greatly to the benefit of
the
Cherokee people and to the honor of our government and prevent the
shedding of
much human blood. On the receipt of your
letter I immediately handed it to Col. Lindsey whose headquarters is at
this
place and he immediately dispatched one express to Mr. Ross informing
him of
its contents, that the Indians might know in time that the council
would be
held to get as many of them as possible together, etc.
I saw Mr. Ross on yesterday and he told me
that he would not be surprised if a large majority of the whole tribe
were
present
0209
I
anticipate favorable results from the deliberation of this council,
(viz.) if
the Government will make some slight modification of the treaty so as
to
satisfy the Ross party, which I think will not be difficult to do.
Very
Respectfully
Nat
Smith
Supt.
C. Removal
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S436. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
August - 1837
Emigration
Cherokees S475
0211
Hon.
C.A.
Harris
Cherokee
Agency
Com. Ind. Affairs
12th
Augt. 1837
Sir,
Col.
Mason, special agent, delivered his talk to the Cherokees on Monday
last, and
although a very rainy day and raining at the time, there were present I
think
near 2,500 chiefs and warriors, who paid great attention what he said. What effect it may have on them, I am unable
at this time to say, but from their deportment to him and the balance
of the
government officers present, both before and after the talk, I predict
much
good will grow out of it. His good
character and gentlemanly deportment at once gained him the confidence
of all
present (whites as well as Indians) and the Cherokees treated him with
marked
attention and respect, such as no government officer has received from
them
since 1817. On the next day (Tuesday)
they took the vote on the nomination of the delegation and although
still
raining about 2,000 were present and unanimously approved the
nomination and
that the delegation proceed immediately to Washington, and on Wednesday the
common
Indians left the council ground apparently well pleased.
The committee and council, I am informed,
will rise this day.
Very
Respectfully
Nat
Smith
Sup. Ch.
Removal
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S475. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
Emigration
Cherokees S494
0213
Hon.
C.A.
Harris
Cherokee
Agency
Com. Ind. Affairs
24th
Augt. 1837
Sir,
The
presentation to me today of a case of peculiar hardship induces me to
most
earnestly request that you will as early as possible place it in my
power to
liquidate claims for valuations under former treaties.
Mary Dougherty a widow with the care of
eleven children who emigrated in the year 1834 by difficulties which
were the
result of a want of means to adjust her business in the Eastern Nation
she was
forced to return with access to which she is not able to lay her hands
on she
is in indigent and needy circumstances and anxious to return west
before the
coming of cold weather.
Returns
for valuations made in the year 1833-34 will show you the amount she is
entitled to. Her Impvts. were situated
in the Lookout
Valley.
Very
Respectfully,
Your
mo. obt. serv.
Nat
Smith
Supt.
Ch. Removal
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S494. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
Emigration
Cherokees S504
0215
Hon.
C.A.
Harris
Cherokee
Agency
Com. Ind. Affairs
25th
Augt. 1837
Sir,
Since
I last wrote you I have ascertained that the late Cherokee Council has
reorganized their late Indian system appointed judges, clerks, etc. This will have a very infurious effect upon
the emigration this fall. It has
inspired the common Indians with fresh hopes that their country will
yet be
restored to them
I
have commenced preparations for starting a detachment on the 12 of next
month. I hope to be able to start 1,000 or
1,200 by
that time.
Should
the number that may be ready to start at the same time amount to1,200 I
will
divide them into two detachments. I
think by this arrangement they could be better provided for whilst
greater expedition
would be ensured.
Preston
Stussel Esq. will conduct the first detachment. His
appointment has been heretofore submitted and
approved by your
department. I have approved L.A. Kincannon
Esq. to contract for the first detachment on the route west for his
character
and qualifications. You are referred to
the enclosed recommendation. I have also
appointed John W. Webb an agent to assist in the collection of Indians.
Doct.
Townsend will be physician and Doct.
0216
Reynolds
disbursing agent to the 1st detachment.
I
will instruct that the upper route be traveled through Kentucky, Illinois,
and Missouri. These are green growing countries which will
make
supplies more plenty
and cheaper.
I
have neglected heretofore to inform you that I had appointed Mary Moore
a white
woman and wife of a Cherokee hospital matron at this place and
interpreter to
the attending physician also Betsy Downing a half breed Cherokee matron
and
interpreter at Ross Landing. They are
both intelligent and speak both languages fluently.
I allow each one dollar per day with rations
for their families 5 1/2 rations to Moores
and three to Downings. Theses
appointments were rendered necessary because of the great prejudice
amongst
Indians against taking medicine. It
cannot be administered except by persons having influence over them. When they first receive rations they are apt
to be affected by the change of diet bring the most of them at first
under the
care of the physician.
Very
Respectfully
Yr
Mo Obt serv
Nat
Smith
Supt.
Ch. Removal
0217
General Nathaniel
Smith
Sir,
the undersigned being informed that it will be necessary to employ some
trusty
person to furnish provision to the Cherokee Indians the ensuing summer
or fall
until they arrive at their place of destination beyond the Mississippi
would
recommend to you favorable notice Mr. Landon A. Kincannon of
McMinnville Mamen
County. Mr. Kincannon is a merchant and
at present doing business in McMinnville and as we believe in every
respect
able to furnish any amount of provisions which may be required to
support any
number of Indians which may remove from the Cherokee Nation. If security should be required for the
faithful performance of his trust we believe he is able to give it to
any
amount. His only object in soliciting
the appointment is the restoration of his health. Close
confinement for many years at the mercantile
business has impaired it. He believes
that traveling would improve it. He
would be satisfied with a moderate compensation for the trouble and
labor he
would be put to. We conclude with
earnestly recommending him to you as a man in every respect qualified
to
discharge the duties of the office which he solicits.
Respectfully yours,
J.F.
Masbond
James
Campbell
0218
I
have every confidence in the ability of Mr. Kincannon to perform the
duties
which may be assigned him.
Saml
Reagy (?)
I
concur n the statement made by Mr. Sammuel Reagy (?
O.
Loring
We
concur in the above statement of [?]
Connor
McAlister and co.
We
concur in the foregoing recommendations to their fullest extent.
Mingow
(?) Allison and co.
I
am personally acquainted with Mr. Kincannon and would have undoubted
confidence
in his discharging the duties of the appointment with integrity and
ability.
James
Rucks
I
have no personal acquaintance with Mr. Kincannon; but do not hesitate
to say,
from the forgoing statements – some of them being from persons
with whom he has
had considerable pecuniary dealings – that Mr. Kincannon may be
implicitly
trusted with the appointment in question.
R.J.
Meigs
An
intimacy of some years standing, growing out of [?] mercantile
machinery with
Mr. Kincannon [?] us to say that there is no man in the community that
we think
better qualified in all respects for the [?] [?] and we know none
entitled to
more [?] confidence.
Donglap
[?]
[?]
I
fully concur in the foregoing recommendations and should be much
gratified
should Mr. Kincannon be employed as I believe the public interest would
be
promoted by his appointment.
Felix
Grundy
The
undersigned has had the pleasure following Mr. L.A. Kincannon
personally,
almost from childhood, and with but few interruptions up to the present
moment,
at which time fortune has liberally crowned his meritorious assertions,
and can
truly say that no business (if integrity), industry, and intelligence
are adequate
to its accomplishments could suffer under his control and management.
[?]
William April 1837
Hon.
F. M. Kinney, M.D.
I
have no personal acquaintance with Mr. Kincannon, but from the forgoing
testimonials and other information in which I have the most [?]
confidence, I
heartily concur in recommending him for the employment which he seeks.
April 17th, 1837
James
K. Pound
[?]
0220
I
have for sometime been intimately acquainted with Mr. L.A. Kincannon
and know
him to be well qualified to discharge any trust that may be committed
to his
care. He has proven himself to be
industrious, honorable, and punctual in all his business transactions
and as
such I take great pleasure in recommending you the appointment he seeks.
M.
Hill
McMinnville
20th 1837
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S504. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
September
- 1837
Emigration
Cherokees S523
0222
Hon.
C.A.
Harris
New Echota, Ga.
Com. Ind. Affairs
Sept.
4, 1837
Sir,
I
have the honor to inform you that there are a number of Cherokees who
are
steady and estimable men and well qualified to remove themselves who
wish to
draw their commutation of both transportation and subsistence east of
the Mississippi. From the circumstance of many of them having
been concerned in making the late treaty, they are unwilling to
emigrate until
they see that peace and harmony is restored in the nation west, but
intend to
leave this country within the time specified. Should
you think proper to make exceptions of such
cases, to your
instructions communicated in your favor of the 20th of May,
it will
operate considerably in making many disappear from the nation east
whether the
go immediately to Arkansas or not. Your
early attention to this is respectfully requested.
Very Respectfully
Your Mo.
Obt Sert.
Nat
Smith
Supt.
Ch. Removal
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S523. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
Emigration
Cherokees S541
0227
Hon.
C.A.
Harris
Cherokee
Agency East
Com. Ind. Affairs
4th Sept, 1837
Sir,
The
prospects for emigration this fall continue very flattering in all
parts of the
Cherokee country except the mountains (Valley Towns).
There, said the late Council, nothing can be
done. P. Harrett, enrolling agent for
that region had fifty-six enrolled to remove in the first detachment
that
should start this fall. On the 3rd
instant I instructed him to bring them and all others who might be
willing to
remove to this place, by the 12th inst. with a view of
starting
directly, a party of which seven hundred that had been enrolled at
McNairs and
Ross Land. He made the attempts to
enlist them and forty-six ran off and are now lying in the mountains. In the lower part of the nation, particularly Alabama,
there are very flattering prospects. I
have enrolled since the 4th inst. over one thousand which
added to
those heretofore enrolled will make about eighteen hundred. Of these and what I yet hope to enroll I will
make three detachments and send them off as speedily as possible. I have appointed Aaron Haynes, George Massey,
and Henry McCoy of Alabama, and E.D.
Tarhune
of Georgia
enrolling agents;
and James Lauderdale of Tenn.,
collecting agent. These gentlemen are
making vigorous efforts throughout the nation enrolling and sending to
this
place where the detachments will be formed.
Captain
Simontor, having been assigned as disburser under the direction of the
commissioners renders it necessary to have three other disbursing
officers in
the emigrating service, viz. two to accompany parties, and one to
remain with
me at this place to pay those who may be permitted to remove themselves
their
commuted transportation, etc.
Very
Respectfully
Nat
Smith
Supt.
Ch. Removal
Source:
National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 574, Roll 4, S541. Transcribed by Roy Boney, Jr.
Emigr | 
