1821, January 18

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

DIVISION OF THE SOUTH

HEAD QUARTERS


Nashville, January 18, 1821

Friends and Brothers: By the hands of our brothers George Fields, Wolfe, and Turtle Fields, I received your letters, one from my old friend and brother the king of your nation, the Path Killer, dated the 11th December 1820, and two from your chiefs, the Speaker, Wausacy, Archibald Campbell, Night Killer, James Spencer, and John Thompson, which I have read and considered with great attention, and have received from the month of your faithful friend and agent Turtle Fields, who has explained to me all your wishes, not, expressed in your letters; as it respects the boundary you wish reserved, and the grievances you labor under, from the want of being beard in the councils of your nation, by your chiefs, heretofore, and your apprehensions of being hereafter deprived of your country without your consent, as you have been of receiving your proportion of the annuities for the last three years; all of which I think reasonable, and I have no doubt but will be heard and redressed by your father, the President of the United States.
You have fought with me I then told you I was your friend; that your father, the President of the United States, was not only your friend, but he loved you as children, and he would act always as your friend. You now ask him, through me, to have secured to you a tract of country, small in proportion to what you are entitled to, compared with your numbers, and compared with the whole country reserved by treaty, for the use of the whole Cherokee nation; and to have this allotted to you and your posterity, permanently, so that your nation cannot sell, without your consent, to the United States--relinquishing all right to any other land you may be entitled to, which has been secured by treaty to the Cherokee nation, and which may of right belong to you as part of that nation. This is so reasonable that I have no doubt but your father, the President of the United States, and Congress assembled, will readily grant. The chiefs of the upper part of your nation cannot complain of this. They can procure, by proper application, the same security. This done, you know that you will rest unmolested in possession of what is thus allotted to you as long as you choose to possess it; and, if the upper part of the nation chooses, it can obtain the same security you now ask for. I hope your request will be granted you; and I can assure you, as a friend and brother, and as a friend of your whole nation, that, as far as I have influence, it shall be exercised to obtain your request from the President and Congress of the United States; and for which purpose I have transmitted to your father, the President, the three letters received by your trusty friends and brothers addressed to me, as well as your trusty agent Turtle Field's explanation of all your wishes. So soon as I receive an answer from your father, the President of the United States, I will forward it to you.
Friends and Brothers: I never have flattered or deceived one of my red brothers. I never tell them lies. I have not the power to say positively that your request will be granted; and that I will make a faithful recommendation of it to your father, the President of the United States, and use my influence that the reserve you ask shall be made to you; your happiness and permanent security require it; the interest of your white brethren urges it; from which I conclude it will be granted to you. I have directed your delegation to shake you all by the hand for me as friends and brothers, and say to you that I wish the happiness of you, and your whole nation.

I am, your friend and brother,
ANDREW JACKSON

To the Path Killer
Speaker
Wausacy
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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