Today in Chickamauga History - June 13
1827, June 13: ARKANSAS TERRITORIAL PAPERS VOL XX – Page 479 – 483 - GEORGE
GRAY TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR - [NA:OIA,SW Lets. Recd. (Red R.) :LS)
Red River Ind Agency CADDO PRAIRIE 13 June 1827
To THE HONBLE JAMES BARBOUR Secy of War
SIR I take the liberty of drawing your serious attention to the subject of this communication, which I am urged to make from a conviction of its importance.
The increase of Indians here from the time I took charge of this agency untill the present period, is in a ratio truly alarming when the unprotected state of this frontier is taken into consideration. It appears to be the whirlpool that is sucking within its bosom, the restless and dissatisfied, of all nations and languages; parties of broken up tribes are continually pouring in, and it is become a receptacle for detatched parties from all parts. Delawares, Kickapoos Shawanese, Choctaws and others are day after day settling around us, a tribe of Spanish Indians the "Towockanies" are daily expected and will settle on the Caddo Lands or in their immediate vicinity. A few creeks are coming to add to our Indian population, and in a little time the Indians can do as they please, and what is worse they will do it, they will be beyond my controul unaided and unprocted as I am. The feelings, habits and Interests of so many discordant materials are so various and clashing, that rapine and bloodshed will be the consequence- of this I have little doubt. The late attempt at revolution in Texas 11 has irritated the Mexican rulers and a knowlege that there exists a powerful combination amongst the Indians directed against the present authorities of mexico has induced the Military Commanders of the neighbouring provices to make a very strenuous effort to drive the Indians without the limits of their territory. This determination and a proof that they are in downright earnest I saw in a letter from the Military commander of the four nighest provinces to Colonel Milam 12 (an Americo-Mexican officer who has obtained a grant of Land on the fronters) directing him to proceed to St Antonio and assume a command in a force to employed for this purpose; he passed this way a few days ago, and is proceeding rapidly in obedience to his instruction.
A combination amongs the Indians to a great extent does most certainly exist, against who or whom, their attack will be directed, is immaterial the consequence will be the same- the Spanish Indians will be crowded in upon us, and when no appearance of a Military force is here to check or awe them I fear there must be a serious time want & poverty will exasperate and drive them to desperation and
11 Benjamin W. and Hayden Edwards secured a grant from the provincial Mexican Government of Texas in 1825 for an extensive tract in eastern Texas, centering at Nacogdoches. In December 1826 Benjamin Edwards declared the independence of the so-called "Republic of Fredonia". Early in 1827, with the aid of Stephen F. Austin, the Mexican authorities suppressed the embryo revolution (George P. Garrison, Texas, pp. 163-169). Consult index to E. C. Barker (ed.), The Austin Papers (A. H. A. Annual Report for 1919, Vol. II, pt. 2), under Fredonian
rebellion, and Edwards, Benjamin W. and Hayden.
they cannot nor will not make any nice distinction. The Cherokees have murdered their favourite cheif Feilds 13 and also the celebrated John D. Hunter,1' this tribe half savage half civilized are in a state of great excitement, untill this year they planted corn for their support; but now such a thing is not thought of-hunting is nearly at an end as well from. the scarcity of game as from. the state of war existing amongst the various tribes.
The Kickapoes who are within the limits of this agency are deadly hostile, and perhaps the Shawanese but hostile or not the attack of the Mexicans on them or their attack on the Mexicans will be the signal for a scence of anarchy and plunder such as has not happened in Indian commotions for many years.
I have prevailed on the Indians in my immediate neighborhood to turn their attention a little to agriculture, This season the Quapaws, Caddos, Coshattas & pascagoolas have a little but they are in alarm lest the Spanish & hostile Indians may make interruptions amongst them.
I enclose you a copy of a letter from B W Edwards Esq• who was a leader in the late attempt at revolution in Texas, his remarks are worthy of attention.
Having thus done my duty in giving warning in time, I would recommend in the strongest terms, a Military force at this agency of at least one Company; the situation is very healthy, water and timber are abundant and a Company could be moved from the Kiamichi or the head quarters of the 7th Regt with very little expence, building timber is plenty and suitable accomodations could be erected in a few days.
Earnestly recommending these remarks to your immediate attention 15
I have the Honor to be Sir with much respect Your Very obt Humb Sert
G. GRAY. Ind Agent
Copy forwarded to Lt. Col. Many August 15th
[Enclosure]
Benjamin W. Edwards to George Gray –
(Copy) NATCHITOCHES May 27 th 1827
CAPT GE0 GRAY
DEAR SIR You ask me for information, relative to the various tribes of Northern Indians, which have recently emigrated to the province of Texas, and particularly, as to the disposition of those
tribes, towards the Americans residing in their vicinity. My information upon this subject is somewhat limited, and entirely derived from others. A residence for some months in that country made it a matter of much interest, to seek for all the information, which could be obtained, in relation to those Indians and such as it is I am free to communicate it, in complyance with your request, whether for your satisfaction, or the information of my Government. I had been informed from time to time by various persons that several of these Northern tribes had located themselves in the Northern section of Texas, and that many other tribes intended emigrating from the U: S: in a short time to that country. This, it seems, they were induced to do by Richard Feilds a celibrated Cherokee cheif, who had obtained the promise of a large grant of land from the Mexican government. In this however they were eventually disappointed by that government, it having at length granted away all those lands to Americans, who had undertaken to settle families thereon. This produced an excitement on the part of those Indians, not only towards the government but against the Americans in that quarter, whom they considered as intruding upon their rights. Information was given to myself and others, at that time that the American settlers
were in much danger from those tribes in their neighborhood. This I could not entirely credit myself, from my confidence in the friendship of those indians towards the Americans, and my belief of their fears of this Government itself. About this time the celibrated John D Hunter who had gone to Mexico, as the agent of those various tribes, to obtain the confirmation of the grant already mentioned, returned disappointed, which information had reached those Indians before his arrival amongst them-It was not untill I became acquainted with him, that I was fully apprised of the extensive combination of the red people in that quarter, and of their actual hostily
towards the Americans as well as the Mexican government. He told me that he was sorry to find, that many of those tribes had little or no predilection for the Americans or the American government-- They sometimes complained of the treatment they had received from our Government and spoke unfriendly of it. Upon his arrival he found them in a hostile attitude, and little disposed to make terms with the American settlers in their premeditated hostility towars the Mexican government – arrested their intentions, convinced Fields their principal chief of the fatal error, they were about to commit – urged the policy of their united with the Americans who were groaning under religious and military oppression, ready to take up arms in defence of the Violated rights, and succeeded at length in bringing about such an arrangement. The Americans in the eastern part of the province, oppressed by the Mexican government and thretned by the numerous hoards of Indians on their borders with massacre, acceded to such proposals, and agreed to yield to the Indians, the territory which they claimed. The failure of the late revolution is the best commentary upon the disposition of these Indians, towards the Americans generally – Fileds and Hunter vainly imagined that they could be brought over to united with our Countrymen in that conflict – has proven, that in this they were mistaken.
To the hostility of the Kickapoos, in particular, who are numerous in Texas may be attributed the early failure of that enterprise. They refused to make any treaty with the Americans, and together with a part of the Cherokees, at length took up arms against them – Fields and Hunter for their friendship to our Countrymen, they massacred – the Kickapoos are known to be deadly hostile to the Americans, and have doubtless disaffected some of those broken tribes – In order to reconcile them to the Mexican government, its local authorities have again made them large promises of land, and which they have no idea of fulfilling with them – Commotions and hostility must soon be stirred up amongst them – They will be rendered desperate by disappointment and necessity, and, with the unfriendly disposition they possess, will, I fear, prove a dangerous neighbor to our frontier inhabitants – They will blame the Americans in Texas for taking away their lands, and they care not to discriminate between the innocent and the guilty – should they commence hostility our border inhabitants, I think, would be equally subject to their savage fury – From those considerations, I believe, that your fears are not groundless, and am one of hose, who think that the Government would act wisely in strengthening their Military force on this frontier.
With sentiments of respect Yours &c
(Signed) B. W. Edwards
[Enclosed] Letter & enclosure from Capt Gray Ind. Agt Red River 13. June, 1827. Expressing his great apprehensions in consequence of the appearance of numbers of disaffected Indians & various tribes, & enclosing a letter from B. W. Edwards on the subject.
1838, June 13: Second group of forced exiles, numbering about 875, depart from Ross’ Landing under Lieutenant R. H. K. WHITELY.
1839, June 13: The Cherokee Registry” Emigration from Georgia – Letter Written to the Chiefs of the Western Cherokees (Chickamauga) – Gentlemen: From the note which you sent us, it appears that you have been requested to ask us, to state in writing what we really wish and desire.
We take pleasure to state distinctly, that we desire to see the eastern and western Cherokees (Chickamauga) become united, and again live as one people, and our sincere wish is, that this desirable and important object may be harmoniously accomplished, to the satisfaction and permanent welfare of the whole Cherokee people.
The representatives of the eastern Cherokees have this day had this important subject under consideration, and have adopted a set of resolutions in reference to it, based upon the strict rules of equity and justice, which we take pleasure in laying before you, with the hope that it may also be adopted by the representatives of the western Cherokees (Chickamauga)
We are, gentlemen, your obedient servants,
George Lowry,
John Ross,
Chiefs of the Eastern Cherokees.
Messrs, John Frown, John Looney and John Rogers,
Chiefs of the Western Cherokees - https://cherokeeregistry.com/the-emigration-from-georgia-trail-of-tears/
1839, June 13: The Cherokee Registry” Emigration from Georgia – Letter Written by the Chickamauga Chiefs to the John Ross Party – Whereas, the people of the Cherokee Nation east, having been captured and ejected from the land of their fathers by the strong arm of the military power of the United Slates Government, and forced to remove west of the river Mississippi: And, whereas, previous to the commencement of the emigration, measures were adopted in general council of the whole nation on the 31st of July and August 1st, 1838, wherein the sentiments, rights, and interests of the Cherokee people were fully expressed and asserted; and. whereas, under these proceedings the removal took place, and the late emigrants arrived in this country and settled among those of their brethren (who had previously emigrated) on lands which had been exchanged for, with the United States, by the Cherokee Nation (Chickamauga), for lands east of the river Mississippi; and, whereas, the reunion of the people, and the adoption of a code of laws for their future government are essential to the peace and welfare of the whole Nation; and, it being agreed upon, that the eastern and western Cherokees (Chickamauga) henceforward be united as a body politic, and shall establish a government west of the river Mississippi, to be designated the Cherokee Nation; therefore, Be it resolved, by the Committee and Council of the eastern and western Cherokees (Chickamauga), in General Council assembled, that the three chiefs of the eastern and western Cherokees each, to-wit: John Ross, George Lowry and Edward Gunter on the part of the Eastern Cherokees and John Brown, John Looney and John Rogers, on the part of the Western Cherokees (Chickamauga), are hereby authorized and required to associate with themselves three other persons, to be selected by them from their respective council or committee, and who shall form a select joint committee, for the purpose of revising and drafting a code of laws for the government of the Cherokee Nation, and they he and are hereby required to lay the same before the general council of the nation to he held at Takattokah on the ______ day of _____, 1839; and which, when approved, shall be immediately submitted to the people for their acceptance.
Be it further resolved, that the respective laws and authorities of the Eastern and Western Cherokees (Chickamauga) shall continue to he exercised and enforced among themselves until repealed, and the new government which may he adopted, shall be organized and take effect, and that in all matters touching the public interest of the nation with the Government of the United States and the Indian nations, the chiefs and representatives of the nation shall act understandingly and jointly in reference to the same, as well also in the passage of any new laws which may he adopted in council after this date affecting the rights, interests, and welfare of the people.
Members of the Committee:
Richard Taylor, President Nat. Corn; Daniel McCoy; Hair Conrad; Thomas Foreman; George Still; Richard Fields; G. Vi’. Gunter; James Hawkins; Old Field; Chu-noo-las-kee; William Proctor; George Hicks; Nah-hoo-lah; J. D. Wofford.
Members of Council:
Going Snake, Speaker; Situwakee; Soft Shell Turtle; Bean Stick; Tahquoh; John Watts; James Spears; Money Crier; Charles; John Keyes; John Otterlifter; Small Back; Bark; Young Squirrel; Hunter Langley; Walter Downing-; Walking Stick; Te-nah-lay-we-stah; Peter.
- https://cherokeeregistry.com/the-emigration-from-georgia-trail-of-tears/