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To the Hon: Lewis Cass Secy of War.
Washington City Brown's Hotel, February 14th, 1835.
Sir The Cherokee Delegation, not having received any reply to the address which they had the honor of communicating thro' your department on the 14th of January last, to the President of the United States; - nor, to the one, which, from the exigency of the occasion, they deemed it a duty to make directly to himself on the 23rd of the same month, would beg leave now to make another, on the momentous question arising out of the afflicted condition of their nation. In the last communication referred to, the Delegation was candid in saying to the President, that "the crisis of the fate of the Cherokee people seems to be rapidly approaching," and that "the time had come when they must be relieved of their sufferings:" - that, in as much as "they had fully determined against a removal to Arkansas; the Delegation earnestly requested to be informed "upon what terms the President would negotiate for a final termination of the Sufferings of their people, that they may repose in peace & comfort on the land of their nativity, under the enjoyment of such rights & priveleges as belong to freemen." - It may be proper, also, to add, that in reference to what has already been stated, relative to the cruel sufferings of the Cherokee people, under the usurpation of State authority, is based upon facts derived from ocular demonstration; and that, in relation to this grave subject, the delegation have no disposition to, & will not, pourtray any thing under fake colors. The true situation of the case touching the unhappy condition of the Cherokees, requires no such aid, - it shows & speaks for itself.- In ruminating on this subject the mind becomes confused and is lost in the fog of amazement; and such being the dilemma into which the ideas of the delegation are placed, they have no inclination to wander thro' the mystical avenues of speculation on the subject; they must view it, as it is, and take the most harmless course that will lead their people to safety & happiness, if practicable:- and, in taking a