.MTA1NQ.NzA5MTY
1839. July 17.continued. the General is almost certain of a civil war in the Cherokee nation; and he reminds them of his repeated assu-rances that he seriously apprehended difficulties in the Cherokee nation and on the United States frontier. At the same time the General disclaims the wish to be understood as expressing any opinion as to what is right or wrong in relation to their subject. He takes that occasion again to assure them that it matters not what course is pursued with regard to the Cherokee nation, so long as the tranquillity of the Nation & of the United States frontier is presser-ved. He says he again requests to be furnished with a copy of the decree by which a number of their people are disqualified from holding office.
July 18. John Ross & the various officers of the National Convention at Illinois Camp Ground, address Gen: Arbuckle at FortGibson. They have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of his com-munication of the day preceding, but the time fixed for the return of the express renders it impracti-canle for them to give to its contents the full consideration their impor-tance demands; but they shall re-ceive the most serious attention from the Convention and the result shall be commu-nicated.
July 18. Gen: Arbuckle at FortGibson writes to John Ross Esqr, Principal Chief of the Emigrant Cherokees, & others, in Na-tional Convention at Illinois Camp ground. - The General deeply regrets to inform them that reports have reach-ed him that evening, from various quarters, that the late emigrants, or the adherents of Mr Ross, intend preventing by force, the assemblage of the old settlers in Council, which is to convene on the Illinois on the 22d instant. He hopes for the welfare
- July 17.
John Roger, writes from Grand Saline, Cherokee Nation, to Governor Stokes, United States Agent for the Cherokees.- He says he has received information that e-vening from a respectable source entitled to credit, that Mr John Ross intends sending an armed force to their Council, to pre-vent them from holding their contemplated consti-tutioin in a peaceable, lawful & customary manner. He therefore as one of the Chiefs of this (western) Na-tion, deems it proper to call on Gov: Stokes as his Agent, & ask of him to demand from Mr Ross whether the report be true or false; and also to for-bid Mr Ross from making any attempt of the kind, as such an act would be nothing less than a commencement of hostilities and would be con-sidered by the Cherokee na-tion as a declaration of war. The writer, if nothing pre-vents, will be at FortGibson on the 20th of the month, on his way to their Council which is to be holden at the mouth of Illinois; by which time he hopes Gov: Stokes will be able to give him satisfactory & correct information on the important subject of his letter; the substance of which he has also sent to Gen: Arbuckle.