| Summary: | In the letter the Cherokee leaders express their concerns over relations with the United States: "You are aware of the distressing situation in which our country stands. We are the earlier possessors of the soil which we still retain but where events, which we have had no share whatever in producing surround us with all the anxiety and priviations [sic] of war, although in a perfect state of peace various attempts have been made to arrange our difficulties, and upon conditions which may satisfy the people. We have been misunderstood, we have been slandered. The general government of the United States has been swayed by agents of its own who do not enter into the feelings of our nation, and who adopt a course in reference to it which has made the nation distrustful. The Cherokees will only put faith in those whose devotedness to them has been tried." The leaders have formed a delegation to represent them in dealings with the government, and they ask Governor Clay to prevent the state legislature from passing any laws regarding Indian lands until negotiations are complete. A transcription is included.
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