Today in Chickamauga History - June 30
1792, June 30: Military Movements and Peace with Indians - Militia ordered out by Governor of Virginia will be paid once the evidence has been reviewed by the Accountant. Riflemen are to meet at a rendezvous to be equipped and clothed. Cherokees peaceful nature bring hopes of peace with entire tribe between Indians and U.S. - https://wardepartmentpapers.org/s/home/item/43167
1793, June 30: From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short - The Cherokees have been teazed into some expressions of discontent, delivered only to the Spanish governors, or their agents; while to us they have continued to speak the language of peace and friendship. One part of the nation only, settled at Chuckamogga, and mixed with banditti and outcasts from the Shawanese and other tribes, acknoleging controul from none, and never in a state of peace, have readily engaged in the hostilities against us to which they were encouraged. - https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-26-02-0368
1800, June 30: Ownership of Negros - Request assistance in determining ownership of Negros who were taken prisoner after their master was killed and then owned by a Cherokee named White Man Killer. Pike will shortly leave for Natchez and does not know who will succeed him. – Notable Person/Group: White Man Killer, King of Spain – Notable Location: St Francis River, Mussel Shoals - https://wardepartmentpapers.org/s/home/item/76187
1839, June 30: The Cherokee Registry” Emigration from Georgia – Fort Gibson - Gentlemen: We have the pleasure of enclosing, herewith, a communication to you from the chiefs of the Cherokee Nation (Chickamauga), which we hope will be acceptable to you and your people who have arrived here of late from the east; as a compliance with the propositions now made to the late emigrants will, at an early period, enable them to enjoy a full participation in the government of the Cherokee Nation, when such alterations in the government can be made as will secure justice to the whole nation. If the proposition now made to you by the old settlers (Chickamauga) be rejected, we can scarcely doubt that serious difficulties and misfortunes will happen to the Cherokee (Chickamauga) people at an early period, which we hope you will cordially assist us to prevent. We have done all we could with the chiefs’ and others here to induce them to make the accompanying proposition to you, which we hope and believe you ought to accept, and that you should, without delay, take measures to prevent the further effusion of Cherokee (Chickamauga) blood. A report was received here yesterday that a party of Cherokees are now ranging through the country about Honey creek, with the object of killing three Cherokees (Chickamauga); two of them for former political offenses, and the other, as it is supposed, for an offense of a personal nature.
We believe that two governments cannot exist in the Cherokee Nation without producing a civil war, and are of the opinion that the government that existed before the arrival of the late emigrants should continue until it is Changed in a regular and peaceable manner. We hope that you will take the proposition of the chiefs into consideration, and make an early decision, as some of the chiefs and others will remain here until they know the result.
We are, gentlemen, with much respect, your obedient servants,
M. Arbuckles, Brevet. Brig. General, U. S. A.
M. Stokes, Agent for Cherokees.
John Ross Esq. and other Chiefs, or Principal Men of the late emigrant Cherokees.”
- https://cherokeeregistry.com/the-emigration-from-georgia-trail-of-tears/
1839, June 30: The Cherokee Registry” Emigration from Georgia – Park Hill - Gentlemen: Yours, with the accompanying communication, by Captain McCall, has been duly received, and is under serious consideration.
We perfectly concede with your judgment that two governments cannot and ought not, to exist in the Cherokee Nation (Chickamauga) any longer than arrangements can be made for uniting the two communities; and, in conformity with these views, we have used our best endeavors to bring about this desirable event, in a manner which might be satisfactory to all parties and by which all rights might be provided for, and the peace and well being of the Cherokees permanently secured.
We claimed no jurisdiction over our western (Chickamauga) brethren, nor can we, consistent with the responsibilities with which our constituents have invested us, recognize their jurisdiction over us. We claim to stand on equal ground; we ask for no concessions, nor for any admissions which would be humiliating in the slightest degree. We have no wish to trample on their laws, nor disregard their rights. And, as proof that we entertained no such disposition, we have not availed ourselves of the advantage of superior numbers in our intercourse with them.
When they refused to mingle councils with us, for free conversation on our affairs, and requested that our wishes might be reduced to writing, we offered to meet them on equal ground. But our just and reasonable overtures were unconditionally rejected by them, and our communication treated with contempt. We have no disposition, however, to stand upon punctilios, but what are we to understand by the proposition now made (and even these, rigorous as they are, it appears, are yielded with reluctance, through your influence and at your instance.) Is it required that the late emigrants relinquish all their rights, and appear before the western (Chickamauga) chiefs in the attitude of suppliants? If such be their wish, and we are compelled to say that we do nor believe our brethren, the western (Chickamauga) people, have the least desire to reduce us to so abject a condition. Indeed, they have expressed their sentiments; and, in the exercise of their inalienable and indefeasible rights, have appointed a national convention for Monday, July 1, 1839; and for ourselves, we are unable to perceive any irregularity in their proceedings; they formed an integral branch of the late general council. Their acts were perfectly legitimate, and we cannot assume the responsibility of protesting against them, or of declaring them invalid.
It appears to us that the western (Chickamauga) chiefs, in their communication, blend questions which, in their nature, are altogether separate and distinct, and, in so doing, have fallen into glaring inconsistencies. While the eastern Cherokees are denied recognition in the character of a political community, and their representatives are by the western chiefs stripped of their official relations to the people, it would seem somewhat out of character to lay on the shoulders of these private individuals the burden of controlling the ebullition of the public feeling, and stopping the effusion of Cherokee (Chickamauga) blood. Regardless however, of this inconsistency, we feel forward to use our influence and exert our utmost efforts to stay the hand of violence, and restore tranquility with the, least possible delay.
We have thought it proper to say this much in advance, by Captain McCall, the subject being still under serious consideration. Entertaining the hope that all excitement may be allayed, and a satisfactory accommodation speedily effected.
We have the honor to be, gentlemen, your obedient servants,
John Ross,
George Lowry,
Edward Gunter,
Lewis Ross.
In behalf of the eastern Cherokees.
Brig. Gen. M. Arbuckle, United States Army and
His Excellency, Governor M. Stokes,
United States Agent.”
P. S. Of the report of a party of Cherokees, “ranging through the country at Honey creek with the object of killing three Cherokees (Chickamauga),” we have heard nothing, except what is contained in your letter. But we beg you to be assured that no pains, on our part, shall be spared to put a stop to all such proceedings.”
In answer to the letter of the western Cherokees (Chickamauga) inviting them to a conference to be held at Fort Gibson on the twenty-fifth day of July the eastern Cherokees reiterated their invitation to the western Cherokees to attend the convention to be held at Camp Illinois on July 1, 1839. Chief Ross informed William Armstrong, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, on June 30th that armed men were congregated in his vicinity “for the sole purpose of acting on the defensive. The convention was convened at the Illinois Camp ground on August 1, 1839. Two thousand Cherokees were in attendance including five old settlers (Chickamauga): George Guess, Tobacco Will, David Melton, Looney Price and William Shory Coody. Invitations were sent to the Old Settler (Chickamauga) chiefs on the second and fifth day of the month to attend and participate. But the fate of the Ridges and Boudinot and the large body of armed emigrants at the convention was not reassuring to free speech and action. - https://cherokeeregistry.com/the-emigration-from-georgia-trail-of-tears/