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32 - crossed out 12 the Arkansaw party now assumed the name of the Ridge party, from the idea, doubtless, that the popularity of Ridge would sustain the honour of the cause he had espoused. But this was a mistaken idea. The honour of Mr. Ridge immediately sank like lead in the mighty waters, to rise no more. This party pretended that there was no national government, nor regular chiefs in the national council, because the time for which they had been elected had expired, and they had not been re-elected according to the constitution. Yet this argument was unsound. When Mr. J. Ross, the principal chief, found that on account of the oppressive laws of Georgia, the nation could not elect its officers according to the letter of the constitution, he called a council of the people, and enquired what should be done. The people replied, "Let the men now in office retain their respective stations, till such times as we can elect others." This was the voice of the people, and it is evident, beyond a doubt, that the principal chief and national council, held their authority by the suffrage of the people, and did not, at any time, transcend the bounds prescribed by their constituents. And who will say that nine tenths, or rather ninety nine hundredths, of the people, would not legally, even alter their constitution, and choose their officer as they might see fit?

An agent, Rev. J. F. Schermerhorn, was sent into the country to negotiate a treaty on the spot. His orders were to treat with the head men and warriors of the Cherokee nation. It was unfortunate, however, for the honour of religion, that this man sustained the name of a minister of Christ. A council was called,