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TELL CHEROKEE AGENT:“WE HAVE MADE ATREATY
ANDWILL FULFILL IT RELIGIOUSLY”
143
●
JACKSON, ANDREW. Autograph Note Signed, “A.J.,” to the Secretary of War
[Lewis Cass?], instructing him that the administration must not recognize [John] Ross as an
agent from the Cherokee Nation. 1 page, 12mo; toning, minor smudging to last line of
text, all edges trimmed, folds, remnants of wax seal verso. (MRS)
Np, [1835?]
[1,500/2,500]
“
Referred to the Secretary of War—if Ross presents himself as an agent from the Cherokee Nation
[he is] to be told at once that as such we will not recognize him—that we have made a treaty and will
fulfill it religiously—we only know him as one of the Cherokee family.”
Around 1833, the Cherokee people became divided about whether to resist the government’s Indian
removal policy.The smaller group, known as theTreaty Party, believed the best way forward was to negoti-
ate the best possible terms, and in December of 1835, they signed the Treaty of New Echota with
representatives of the U.S. government.The treaty had not been approved by the Cherokee National
Council—representing all Cherokee—nor had it been approved by the National Party, led by John
Ross, the largest of the groups that formed in response to the government’s policy.The U.S. ratification
and enforcement of the treaty led to the forced relocation of the Cherokee from their lands in the south-
east that came to be known as the Trail of Tears.
(Actual Size)