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Minutes of conferences held between John Ross and Edward Gunter on the part of the Cherokee Delegation and Colonel John Mason Jr. on the part of the United States Government: First interview, October 300th. Mr Ross remarked that previous to the discussion of the subject matter of the conference, he would state that Mr Gunter and himself had called to see the Secretary of War for the purpose of coming to a clear understanding with him as to the character in which the proposed conference was to be viewed on both sides; but finding that the Secretary was not in his office, they called on Capt: Cooper, the chief clerk of the department and observed to him, that if we had not misapprehended the views of Mr Poinsett in reference to the subject, we were ready to confer with Colonel Mason; that it, with the distinct understanding that the subject matter of discussion should be treated informally on both sides, and in case we should fail too arrive at any satisfactory understanding, that both parties should be left where we had commenced. And that Delegation in their official character, should be at liberty to open their correspondence with the Secretary of War, without reference to what may have passed between the conferees -- That, Capt. Cooper had remarked, he had no doubt such were the views of the Secretary of War, and that they were certainly in accordance with his own understanding in the subject -- That Mr Ross then observed to srtrikeout Capt. Cooper, if he would take it upon himself to say that such shall be the understanding, that it would be unnecessary for us to see the Secretary on the subject and that we would meet Col. Mason strikeout accordingly; to which Capt. Cooper gave his assent. Col: Mason enquired of Mr Ross if we had reduced to