1821, January 3

The following data is extracted from Proposals Made by certain Cherokee Indians, for the Cession of their Lands to the United States.

CREEK PATH TOWN, Jan. 3d, 1821

Address of the Chiefs and Warriors of Creek Path Town, in the Cherokee nation, to Major General Andrew Jackson.

DEAR SIR: Having learned by our messenger, George Fields, your friendly disposition towards us, your having told him to inform us that you would use your influence to see justice dome to us with respect to the land we now live on, we address you with full confidence that you will not see us wronged out of what we consider our just right by any, persons whatever. Unhappily, differences exist between us and the upper part of the nation--they claim the right of depriving us of our lands when they think fit to do so; they allow us no voice in the national councils, and, in fact, treat us, in a manner, as intruders. We now appeal to you to use your influence to have us reinstated in the enjoyments and privileges we formerly possessed as a part of our nation, and to put it out of the power of the upper part of the nation to dispose of our lands against our consent. Owing to indisposition, the Path Killer is not with us while writing this, but has sent us, by a trusman, what he wishes inserted in this letter, (which is, as nearly as the writer can understand, to this effect:)
My Dear Brother: My first acquaintance with you was at Fort Strother, in the Creek campaign. We went on and beat our enemies. The next time I saw you was at Turkey town. Then, after that, you was at Hiwassee; but from my indisposition at that time, I was deprived of the pleasure of seeing you; but was much pleased to hear of the good advice you gave my people, particularly to the women. We feel thankful to you for having the intruders removed from amongst us. We feel satisfied that you will keep them from off our lands and from doing violence to us We have been informed that some of them intend returning and planting corn again in the spring but trust you will have them removed if they should. Capt. James Reed and his sons have been a protection to our property ever since they have lived amongst us. We hope that you will do what you think best, in order to give them power to suppress any bad practices of ill disposed white men towards us. For further information we refer you to our messenger, George Fields, who will give you a full account of our wishes with respect to boundaries, &c."
The Path Killer commenced a letter to you; but, for the want of a writer who could explain to you what he wished to communicate, he had to decline it. The scrap, as begun, we have sent enclosed by George Fields, and others, whom we shall send; and, on their return, we request that you will be so good as to write us on the subject of this letter.
Accept, dear Sir, assurances of our regard and good will. SPEAKER,
WASAUCY
ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL,
NIGHT-KILLER,
JAMES SPENCER,
JOHN THOMPSON

Source: Proposals Made by certain Cherokee Indians, for the Cession of their Lands to the United States

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