Handwritten copy of a letter from J. F. Schermerhorn to the Cherokee chiefs and warriors assembled at the Red Clay Council Ground.

Schermerhorn writes on behalf of the United States commissioners who are negotiating the cession of Cherokee land east of the Mississippi River. In the letter he informs the council that the Cherokee government, adopted in 1827, is not recognized by the state or national governments of the United St...

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Published: Alabama Department of Archives and History
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Online Access:http://cdm17217.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/voices/id/3700
format Electronic
collection Alabama Textual Materials Collection
building Alabama Department of Archives and History
publisher Alabama Department of Archives and History
topic Alabama documents
spellingShingle Alabama documents
Handwritten copy of a letter from J. F. Schermerhorn to the Cherokee chiefs and warriors assembled at the Red Clay Council Ground.
fulltopic Alabama documents
Schermerhorn, J. F. (John Freeman), 1786-1851; Cherokee Indians; Indians of North America--Government relations; Indians of North America--Land tenure; Indians of North America--Treaties; Real property--Southern States; United States--Politics and government--1783-1865
description Schermerhorn writes on behalf of the United States commissioners who are negotiating the cession of Cherokee land east of the Mississippi River. In the letter he informs the council that the Cherokee government, adopted in 1827, is not recognized by the state or national governments of the United States: "...on the contrary, the Cherokees have been expressly informed, at the time of this organization...that this act of theirs was contrary to the constitution & laws of the United States; and therefore it could not be done." Therefore, when negotiating the cession of the Cherokee territory, the commissioners will only work with "the Cherokee people, assembled in General council, according to their ancient usages and customs and chiefs, head men and warriors." He then discusses the Cherokee delegation who traveled to Washington the previous winter "as your agents to settle all your difficulties with the United States"; even though the U.S. government agreed to pay the amount they requested ($5,000,000), the men would not accept: "...they...proposed that this matter should be referred to the Cherokee nation in General council to deliberate & determine on the subject; in order to produce harmony & good feeling among themselves & to prevent any unjust imputations or prejudices, against themselves or theirs." Schermerhorn now asks the council to appoint a committee to settle the matter, and he warns that the U.S. government will accept no other negotiations it the Cherokees reject this opportunity. A transcription is included.
spelling Q0000031372 - Q0000031375Q31372 - Q31375Handwritten copy of a letter from J. F. Schermerhorn to the Cherokee chiefs and warriors assembled at the Red Clay Council Ground.Schermerhorn writes on behalf of the United States commissioners who are negotiating the cession of Cherokee land east of the Mississippi River. In the letter he informs the council that the Cherokee government, adopted in 1827, is not recognized by the state or national governments of the United States: "...on the contrary, the Cherokees have been expressly informed, at the time of this organization...that this act of theirs was contrary to the constitution & laws of the United States; and therefore it could not be done." Therefore, when negotiating the cession of the Cherokee territory, the commissioners will only work with "the Cherokee people, assembled in General council, according to their ancient usages and customs and chiefs, head men and warriors." He then discusses the Cherokee delegation who traveled to Washington the previous winter "as your agents to settle all your difficulties with the United States"; even though the U.S. government agreed to pay the amount they requested ($5,000,000), the men would not accept: "...they...proposed that this matter should be referred to the Cherokee nation in General council to deliberate & determine on the subject; in order to produce harmony & good feeling among themselves & to prevent any unjust imputations or prejudices, against themselves or theirs." Schermerhorn now asks the council to appoint a committee to settle the matter, and he warns that the U.S. government will accept no other negotiations it the Cherokees reject this opportunity. A transcription is included.1835 October 171835-10-171830-1839Schermerhorn, J. F. (John Freeman), 1786-1851; Cherokee Indians; Indians of North America--Government relations; Indians of North America--Land tenure; Indians of North America--Treaties; Real property--Southern States; United States--Politics and government--1783-1865TextCorrespondenceAlabama. Governor (1835-1837 : Clay)Alabama Governor (1835-1837 : Clay) administrative filesRSG00707v5016Alabama Department of Archives and History, 624 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36130EnglishThis material may be protected under U. S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code) which governs the making of photocopies or reproductions of copyrighted materials. You may use the digitized material for private study, scholarship, or research. Though ADAH has physical ownership of the material in its collections, in some cases we may not own the copyright to the material. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in our collections.600 PPI TIFFhttp://cdm17217.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/voices/id/3700
title Handwritten copy of a letter from J. F. Schermerhorn to the Cherokee chiefs and warriors assembled at the Red Clay Council Ground.
titleStr Handwritten copy of a letter from J. F. Schermerhorn to the Cherokee chiefs and warriors assembled at the Red Clay Council Ground.
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