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1839. October 2. continued opposed in apprehending the murde-rers of the Ridges and Boudinot, notwithstanding I am well apprized that there is a strong desire to protect them from punishment by the greater portion of the Cherokee people. The General is prevented by want of time from saying more upon this subject at present.

October 7. John Ross, Principal Chief of the Cherokees, Joseph M, Vaun, Assistant Principal Chief, W. Skorey Coodey, President of the National Committee, and Young Wolf, Speaker of the Council, write from Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation, to Montfort Stokes, Eqr, United States' Agent for the Cherokees. The writer, throough respect for the agent of the United States for their nation, and from the friendship they bear to his gov-ernment & people, address Gen: Stokes briefly in relation to their own local affairs. They desire he may be fully and correctly informed of the measures which have been adopted by the Cherokees, in consequence of the two branches of that people having been again brought together. They state that during the excited state of feeling which prevailed throughout the coun-try, they are aware that much has been said to the prejudice of the great body of the people, and many false and exaggerated statements propagated for effect. They cannot but admit that the recent disturbances and disquiet originated from unhappy causes & which all reflecting minds must regret; but that still they were confined strictly to matters of a local character and over