.MTA1NA.NzA4MzM
To the Venerable Head Chiefs, Members of Committee & representatives in Council My Friends.
Five Years have elapsed since I have been called to preside
over the National Comittee, and your approbation of my conduct in the discharge of my official duties is manifested by the succefsive reappointment which you have bestowed upon me. The trust which you have reposed in me, has been sacredly maintained, and shale ever be preserved. A Traitor in all Nations, is looked upon in the darkest Colour, and is more dispiseable than the meanest reptile that crawls upon the earth.
An honorable and honest Cherokee is more valuable than the fillthy
lucre of the whole World, therefore I would prefer to live poor as the Worm that inhabits the earth, than to gain the worlds wealth, and have my reputation as an honest man tarnished by the acceptation of a pecuniary bribery for self aggrandizement- It has now become my painful duty to inform you that a gross contempt is offered to my Character, as well as to that of the Members of the General Council.- This Letter which I hold in my hands (McIntosh's Letter) will speak to itself, but fortunately the Author of it has mistaken our Character & sense of Honor. Oct 24th 1823. John Ross.
N.B. the Letter alluded to was then handed to A. McCoy Clk of
the National Comittee and read by him to the Gen. Counsil & interpreted by Mr. Richard Taylor a Member of the Nat. Comittee.- After a few remarks by Path Killer (Prin. Chief) Major Ridge speaker of the Council then rose and addressed the assembly under the Authority of the Gen. Council & demanded Mr McIntosh, with infamy & disgrace, never to raise his voice in the Council of the Nation, as a Chief connected with its authority. McIntosh, with a deep sense of his guilt & disgrace, in the utmost dejection of Spirit & confusion of mind, with all speed, made a very sudden departure for his Country the Creek Nation.