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1839. June 25. Gov: M: Stokes Agent for the Cherokee Nation write from Bayon Menard, Cherokee Agency, to John Ross & other chiefs & Head Men of the Cherokee Emigrants: He has received their report of June 21, from the late Cherokee Council:- He is exceedingly matified & distressed at the late transactions in the nation; tending to disturb the peace & tranquillity of the Cherokee people: He most sincerely wishes that there violent measures had not been resorted to, because he fears they are not to end now:- He adds that, with respect to the monies due for the Cherokee annuities, none had come on; and if any should, the Agent would not feel himself authorised to make a distribution in the present state of affairs, without express instructions from the war department.
June 26 Gen: Arbuckle writes to Adjutant General "not clear", Washington City, from fort Gibson. He transmits 7 documents in relation to the late outrages in the Cherokee nation .* He had attended, by invitation from several of the Chiefs, a Cherokee Council which had assembled early in the month, for the purpose, as he understood, of entering in to such arrangements with the late emigrants as would satisfy all the Cherokees. The United States Agent was also present. They soon perceived a difficulty between the old settlers and late emigrants, which was likely to present the expected re-union. They exercised what influence they could to bring about a friendly understandings, but to no purpose. The old settlers contended that their Government being effective, it was in their opinion a fair participation in the government, to permit the new emigrants to vote for officers when vacancies occurred. The new emigrants wished a convention called to frame a new constitution for the whole nation's government.: to this the old settlers objecting, the council broke up without any arrangements. Soon after, on the morning of the 22d, news reached Fort Gibson that John Ridge had been killed' the same afternoon it was reported that Mr Boudinot was killed; and on 23rd that Major Ridge , the father of John, was also killed. Subsequent information shows that all three were killed on the same day, the 22d;- and although John Ridge lived seventy five miles from that fort, news of his death reached there within a few hours of the time it was said to have taken place. The general refers to the communication of Mr Ross on the 24th , as showing that a general convention would be held soon, within a few miles of his residence. The General had conversed on the subject with some of the chiefs & principal men;- they told him the notification had not been general, as they themselves had not been informed of it; hence he infers that the convention may be composed
- 1. Letter of Mr Ross, June 22.
2. answer of Gen A June 23. 3. Letter of Mr R, June 23. 4. Gen A to Mr R. June 24. 5. Mr R to Gen: A June 24. 6. Mr R to Gen: A June 24 7. Major Lear to Gen: A June 25.