.MTA1NQ.NzA4ODE

1839. June 24.

gov: M: Stokes US. Agent for the Cherokees writes from Cherokee Agency, Bayon "not clear", to the "not clear": I.R.Pointsett, Secretary officer, at Washington. He se ds three reports: two from the principal chiefs who first removed to the country & one from Mr Ross & a portion of the late emigrants who removed under his direction.-He states that about the 10th to the 19th of June, the Cherokees of all parties held a Council at their new CouncilHouse at Takuttokak. The whole nation was invited: about 6,000 attended: the purpose was to reconcile all difficulties & to unite in forming a government for the whole Cherokee nation,- which purpose was clearly & distinctly expressed in all their letters & messages. By special invitation Gen: Arbuckle & the Agent attended two days: They did all in their power as friends & mediators. They found the parties did not agree, but saw nothing like hostility. On the 15th & 19th the Agent received by express the two reports of which he tends copies marked * 1 & 2. On the 21st he recievd by express the report of the Ross party he asked 3. xxx Gen: Arbuckle & the Agent found major Ridge & his son Jr Ridge; Elias Boundinot & his brother "not clear" at the Council Ground: they left under some apprehension of danger. He states that it was known one they went that most of those who were concerned in the New Echota treaty had joined the old settlers or first Cherokee emigrants, & that those were opposed to "not clear" Ross & his party. The agent exceedingly regrets to add that on the 18th of June John Ridge was killed; on the 19th his father & on 20th Elias Boudinott.: he says the murder of Boudinot was treacherous and cruel: that three men called on him & asked for medicines; that he went with them towards the house of Worcecter, the missionary, who keeps medicines; about 300 yards from Boudinot's; that when about half way, two of the men seized Boudinot, the other stabbed him; then all three cut him to pieces with tormakawks or knives.- He observes that as the murder took place within two miles of the residence of John Ross, his friends were apprehensive it mislet be charged to his connivance and that at the moment he was uniting, six hundred Cherokees were assembled in "not clear" around the abode of Ross for his protection. The Agent says the murderers of the Ridges & Boudinot are certainly of the late Cherokee emigrants & of course adherents of Ross; but he cannot yet believe that Ross encouraged the outrage. He says Ross is a man of too much good sense to emboil his nation at that critical time: he says, that, besides, his character since he had known

• No.1 is the requisition for Cherokee funds to the Agent from the western chiefs dated June 15. *No. 2 is their announcement dated June 19 of the dessolution of their Councils. xxx No.3 is the report of the Ross & Council dated June 21. objecting to the course of the western chiefs & giving notice of a general national convention of eastern & western Cherokees to be held July 1.-