.MTA1NQ.NzA4ODI

1839. June 24. continued.

known him, which was then twenty five years, had been pacific'- Gen: Arbuckle had invited all the principal men of both parties to met in Council next day at For Gibson; should be succeed, the Agent will inform the secretary of war. He has deemed it his duty to make his communication at that time but the horrid transactions should be misrepresented. He observes that ten of Ridge's friends called on his the day previous. They said they knew many of the murderers, but declined naming any, although several of the party were old friends & acquaintances of the Agent. The Agent express his gladness that he is in friendly term with all parties & all agree that there is no intention to inquire or disturb any of the white citizens of the United States.- He adds in afortscript, that Boudinot's wife is a white woman; he understands a native of New Jersey; & that Boudinot has left six children. He also adds that the wife of John Ridge is a white woman: from where a "not clear" family be is not informed. Boudinott was in moderate circumstances: both of the Ridges were rich. Rep:Doc: No.2: 26th Cong: 1st Sess:

                                                                                                        page 354

June 25. Major W.W. Lear reports to Gen: Arbuckle at Fort Gibson that in obedience to the General's instruction on the day before, he had proceeded with Capt: Buchanan of the fourth infantry,- Lieut: Northrop, first dragoons,- & Lieutenants Freeman and Porter if the 4th infantry, with eighty six mounted men, to the residence of John Ross in the Cherokee Nation & communicated to him that the object of his visit:- that Mr Ross declined his offer to escort him to the garrison; stating that a member of his friends (the Major supposes 500) had, unsolicited, assembled to protect him against the violence threatened by the friends of Mr Boudinot & Ridge; always resolved, however, only to act on the defensive against that party. He stated that Mr Ross had message from them, threatening to hold him responsible for the murder, in which Ross disclaimed the slightest participation; adding that if any of these concerned in the murders were then about his house, he was totally unaware of the fact.

                                                                                                                               Ref:Doc: No 2 26th Cong. 1st Ses: page 362