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1839. June 22.
John Ross, Principal Chief of the eastern Cherokees writes to Gen: Arbuckle:-He says it has become his painful duty to report that he has just heard that Elias Boudinot is killed. On the first intelligence of this unhappy occurrence, he had immediately requested his brother-in-law, John G.Ross, accompanied by Mr Lenoir others to repair to the residence of Mr Boudinott and ascertain the facts, with a view of their being reported to Gen: Arbuckle. They had just returned with a message from Mr Boudinott, confirming the report, and advising Mr Ross to leave home for safety, as Stand Watie was resolved to raise a company & forthwith to take the life of Mr.Ross. He is at a loss to conccive why he is there to be murdered without guilt of any crime; therefore, for the sake of justice, he trusts Gen: Arbuckle will at once interpose and prevent the effusion of innocent blood and thus by the interposition of his authority, enable an unbiassed investigation to be had.-
June 23. Gen: Arbuckle answers Mr Ross from Fort Gibson. The chief's letter had arrived late the evening before. Independent of the express, Gen: Arbuckle had sent the nephew of Mr Ross to him, advising him immediately to retire to the fort, provided he felt himself insecured at his residence. The General says he greatly regrets the murder of Mr Boudinot: he fears the report f John Ridge having been killed is also true; if so, he apprehends a civil war in the nation. Hence he with very little delay had sent an express to the western Chiefs, Brown, Looney & Rosen, requesting their attendance as soon as possible at the fort where he expects them on the following Tuesday. He hopes they, in conjunction with Mr Ross, and other leaders of the late emigrants, will be able to make such arrangements as shall stop further acts of violenced &outrage. He asks a reply by the return ofhis express.
June 23. JohnRoss replies to the despatch of Gen: Arbuckle by Lieut: Porter. The general's kind advice by the nephew of Mr Ross, that he should retire to Tulsisson, if he felt insecure at home, was thankfully received ; but previously to his nephew's arrival, the propriety of his