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to our nation, and there in general Council, to deliberate and determine upon the subject; and, in order to ensure harmony and good feeling among ourselves, it was greatly to be desired that the Cherokee people and their representatives should not be unclear by any premature act on our part; and that the whole subject should be brought before them, free from any suspicion, or unjust imputations against ourselves or others, By such a fair and open course as this, there would be some ground to hope that the aggravated controversy will be terminated in proper manner. Such were our own views, and much are the views we still entertain in reference to this subject; and you have so often communicated to us the earnest desire of the President that the Cherokees should all unite together and co-operate in the restoration of harmony and good feeling among themselves, that we cannot see any good reasons fro objecting to the course proposed by us. And if the department persists in the unexpected and must extraordinary course which you intimated to us this morning, was bout to be adopted; - that is, of entering into a treaty with John Ridge and other, unauthorized individuals who are here, for an entire cession of the Cherokee lands unclear east of the Mississippi river, and providing for the application of the money proposed to be given for the same, - the great object so earnestly pressed on both sides, for unclear and restoring that harmony and good feeling of all, and thereby termination the Cherokee difficulties satisfactorily, will most assuredly be defeated by your own acts: And, as the duly authorized Delegation of the Cherokee Nation here, we do most solemnly protest against any such arrangements being entered into with these individuals. In your letter of the 7th inst: closing all further intercourse in uniting between us, you distinctly inform us that the application of the Five Millions of Dollars which is offered for our Lands and unclear unclear of the Mississippi river, will be "such as we desire, a just regard being had to individual rights."