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Cherokee Nation Arkansas February 12. 1835.

Dear Friend Daniel Colston After asking you to forgive me for not writing to you before now, I accept this opportunity of writing a few lines to you. My lines to you will be but short, but I hope it will be some satisfaction to you. The reason why I have not written to you before now - I was in a low state of health & mind, together with my children. But I hope the Lord has once more restored our health in this world. I have received two letters from you since we parted. The news contained in the letters was satisfaction & comfort to me indeed. I am at this time unable to do any work on account of just recovering from my spell of sickness. The government has not made any payment to the Emigrants, and when they will make the payments to us, Jackson only knows. My friend, I can tell you , we emigrants have hard times - sick, and no money, nor friends. My friend Daniel, to do you justice & myself, I would say to you - never, never more towards the west, as long as you can find land to build your house on, in the east, of Mississippi. The Cherokee Government is going to rack. Since the death of Col: Webber, we are in the western wilds, like sheep without a shepherd. We have many afflictions to encounter with in the west, more than what we had in the east. To crown all, the dark shade of death is just at our door. We see our friends, neighbours and kin, dropping into grave yards. It is discouraging & distressing. Here I must stop on that subject. I have been told lately that Charles Rogers, J. Lo.? Flowers, Jax? Rogers, & Joseph Rogers, will move towards Texas so soon as they wind up their business in this nation. I believe the report, as I see this nation is going to rack. And as for my part, I don't expect to remain in this nation for long, even if I keep in health. I am not satisfied in this country. The General