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Cherokee Agency July 10. 1835. Sir, We the undersigned, Commissioners appointed by the president of the United States to treat with the Cherokees East, regret to be informed on our arrival here, that the offices of the Government of the United States, appointed to take the census of the Cherokee Nation East, have been unable to proceed in their duties, in consequence of your interference to prevent it. The gentlemen appointed to take the census, state, that communications have been sent by you to different parts of the nation, commanding your people not to give up their names & number to the persons who may call on them for that purpose; and that in consequence of this, many of the people have utterly refused to give the requisite information to them. This is much to be regretted, as we are persuaded that the object of the government in taking the census is to enable it to deal in the most fair and just manner with the Cherokee Nation. There has been heretofore complaint made to the Government that the annuity of the Nation was not equally divided between the Eastern and Western Cherokees; and the president, with a view of doing equal justice to both parts of the Nation, directed as we understand, the census to be taken. There is another reason for taking the census at this time. The Commissioners in their instructions are required to obtain the consent of a majority of your head men & warriors to a treaty, to make it valid; and for this purpose it is necessary to have an accurate census of the nation taken now. We hope, therefore, that instead of opposing the officers of the government in this matter, you will render them every facility in your power to execute the business assigned them correctly & fairly; by appointing such of your principal men, to accompany them, as you may think proper. Should you, however, take a different course, we cannot be responsible for the consequences of resisting the constituted authorities of the Government of the United States. With great respect Your ob servts Wm Carroll J.F. Schermerhorn

Mr John Ross, P.C. C.N.