Today in Chickamauga History - April 24
1788, April 24: Page 417 - THE ANNALS OF TENNESSEE TO THE END OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY - Long Island, 24th March, 1788
Sir: - The confusion of this country induces me to lay before your Excellency, by express, our present situation, which is truly alarming.
I sent, on Saturday last, to Sevier and his party, requiring them to lad down their arms, and submit to the laws of North-Carolina, but can get no answer, on from Colonel Joseph Hardin, which I forward; though I know, that on Friday last, they met in Convention, to concert some plan. The bearer of my express o them, informs be, that he understood Sevier had gone towards French Broad, since the 10th instant; that Colonel Kennedy, with several others, had gone the same way, to carry on an expedition against the Cherokee Indians, which, I am well assured, wish to be at peace; except the Chickamauga party which could be easily driven out of that country, if your Excellency should recommend it. I am somewhat doubtful, that Sevier and his party are embodying, under the colour of an Indian expedition , to amuse us , and that their real object is, to make another attack on the citizens of this state ; to prevent which, I have ordered the different colonels to have their men in good order, until I can hear from your Excellency; at which time, I hope, you will give me directions in what manner to proceed , in this uncommon and critical situation ; for which I shall wait, till the return of the express, before I shall take any decisive steps.
Should the Franks still persist to oppose the laws of this state, would it not be well to order General McDowell to give some assistance? as a few men from there will convince them, that North -Carolina is determined to protect her citizens. - https://archive.org/details/annalstennessee00ramsgoog
1828, April 24: ARKANSAS TERRITORIAL PAPERS VOL XX – Page 654 – 656 - EDWARD W. DuVAL TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR - [NA:OIA, Lets. Recd. (Cherokees W.) :ALS] -
WASHINGTON, 24 th April 1828.
Sir: I was informed, yesterday, that it had been stated to you that the proposition from the War Department to the Cherokee Deputation, relative to a change in the location of their nation, would be acceptable & accepted, without offering, or giving to them, by way of. inducement to it, or as an indemnification for the inequality of soil & the inconveniences, &c &c, to which it would subject them, any pecuniary consideration.-Believing that I knew the source whence
this information was derived, I felt no surprise at it. From the same source, if I am right in my conjecture, I doubt not that you may receive any additional information which, in the opinion of the informant, would conduce to the same end-to wit,-the def eat of the proposition;-the only one, so far as I know, calculated to give future repose and happiness to those people. Were the information ref erred to true, it could scarcely be supposed that I was unaware of it, and I should thus stand indirectly charged, if not with a dereliction of duty, at least with the suppression of facts important to the interest of the Government.-Feeling, however, as I do, superior to an imputation of the kind, I am not actuated by any personal motive in addressing you this note. It is intended to prevent the erroneous impressions which a reliance on the information mentioned would produce; as I am prepared to say, from positive and personal knowledge of the fact,
that no member of the delegation has conceived the idea, nor will any one of it entertain the proposition for a moment, if that idea be connected with it, that the Government desires giving with Lands in exchange for their present possessions no money consideration.-Why should they?-They would get, by the Exchange, of what is termed "Lovely's-purchase", together with the lands laying on the Waters of Grand River, about two Millions of acres, which may be supposed equal, but certainly not superior, to the lands which they now occupy: the residue-,-say four millions of acres, would consist of Lands, mostly naked prairie, which, acre for acre, is scarcely of half the intrinsic value of that they now hold. Is this nothing to them?-An Exchange would compel them to leave their opened fields & improvements, which they have been making and toiling on for years, -a great many of them with fine peach & some with apple Orchards, and
again settle in the forest, comparatively remote from many of the conveniences which they now enjoy and create every thing, requisite to ordinary comfort, anew -Is it supposed that these things are not thought of by them?-that th~ time it would consume and the labor it would require are of no moment?-Their Stock, (Horses, Cattle, Hogs &c,) which constitutes their principal wealth, and it is not insignificant either, would, for years, as there are no impassable barriers, be constantly returning to its former Range, and thus be less valuable, by one half, than where it is at present. Let it be remembered, too, that such a movement could not be made, new homes
selected, Houses built, fields opened, &c &c, without the loss of at least one entire Crop.-Are these things not to be thought of? -lf they are not & no provision to be made for them, hardship & suffering -suffering in its worst form-hunger, famine & partial nakedness, must be the consequence.-As nearly as I can estimate them there are between five and six hundred families in the nation, the least of which has its Cabin, Cornfield & vegetable Garden, and very many a Cottonpatch, sufficiently large for supplying a product w?ich, when manufactured, (and that is done by their own hands) furmshes a competence of necessary and substantial clothing. Cut off this resource, only for one season as the contemplated movement certainly would, and deny them the only effective substitute, -an equivalent in money, and it will require but little of the inspiration of prophecy to foretell the result of it.
I have, more than once, had occasion to regret that some of those charged with the Superintendence of Indian affairs should so seldom seek needful information from the accredited Agent, residing among them who might reasonably be supposed most able to give it, instead of preferring such as is casually, or for certain purposes, given by interested, prejudiced and irrresponsible persons. -It 1s no light misfortune to Indians and greatly increases the cares and trouble of the Government with respect to them.-In relation to the matter in hand, I speak knowingly when I say, that, after you shall have been as liberal in offers to the deputation, in order to induce the Exchange, as a due regard to the course and policy of the Government will allow, its accomplishment will remain a matter of difficulty and doubt.
In this and in the discharge of my Official trust generally I endeavor to have no wish imcompatible with the just and benevolent views of those under whom I act, and hope, therefore, to be pardoned, if, m this hasty note, I say, or have said, any thing unacceptable to you;
holding it best in public as well as private affairs to speak truth plainly, and verily believing that I do nothing more in saying to you, that, if this deputation depart from here with their present impressions the faith & confidence which they have hitherto steadily reposed in the friendly & paternal disposition of the Government, will, in a great measure, if not entirely, depart with them.-If so, it must have the most untoward and injurious effect upon the efforts now making & to be made with reference to the emigration of Indian Tribes, now East, West of the Mississippi.-To say nothing of the old Cherokee Nation, upon which it must have a serious influence, the Cherokees of Arkansa are the friends & Allies of the Creeks, Chickasaws & Choctaws, &
hold constant communion & intercourse with them.-
With great respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, Yr: Ob: Servt
E: W: DUVAL
THE HON: JA 8 BARBOUR, SecY War.
[Addressed] The Hon. Ja• Barbour, SecY War, Washington.
[Endorsed] Washington 24. Ap 1 1828. Edward W. DuVal Relative to a communication which he understands has been to the Sec" of War, with respect to the facility of concluding a treaty with the Cherokees of Arkansas for an exchange of land &c. which he says is not correct-Indian Office 28 April. 1828.