Introduction:
In 1788, the Prince of Notoly writes a letter stating that the "cherokee" have abandoned Chote (Chota) and left it to the Creek and the Whites to fight over.
In 1788, the "cherokee" move south into the Northern Georgia area where the Chickamauga had already resided.
In further examination of this document, it is quite evident that there are participants from at least Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. It is further understood, that these are the participants as signatories on the 1785 Hopewell Treaty which uses the phrase, "All the Cherokee."
It it self evident from the names of the signatories that these were NOT cherokee, because many, have Mobillian names and pronunciations of their names, not cherokee. Therefore; with the knowledge base attained from previous research using the scientific method of cross referencing recorded histories and carbon dated archaeological studies that the people gathered at this War Council are not the group eventually known as the cherokee nation east, but in fact the "warrior chiefs" of the tribes who were co-signatories of the Hopewell Treaty of 1785, of the Mississippian, Muscogean, and Mobillian Mound Building Culture who belonged to the Southeast Ceremonial Cult, the Chickamauga and possibly one or two Creek and Natchez.
The Documentation of the War Council
On May 19, 1789 the War Council Convenes in Chote.
Written Records: Cherokee Nation to the President and the Senate
Facsimile (partial) of John Sevier's transcript of the council at Chota, signed by Cherokee headmen.
We the warriors chiefs and representatives of the cherokee Nation Resident and living in the following towns of Chota, Toquoh, Cettico, Little Telliquo Tumotly, Nioh or the Tassell's town, Coettee, Chilhowah Tallassee, Great Telliquoh, Big Highwassa, Cheestowa, Eastanora, Chatanugah, Chickamaugah, Stickoe, Ottilletaraconahah, Catatogah, Nicojackee, Tuskeegah, and Cheescheehaha, our said towns lying and being on the Great rivers of tenasee Telliquo, highwassa Ammoah &c. &c.
We the said warriors representatives And Cheifs being Met at our ancient and beloved town of Chota on Tenasee at our Council fire having Considered the Nature and Circumstance of our Country And Nation, Are sorry to inform our Elder brother General Washington, and the Great Council of the united States That from the bad Conduct of some of our young and Inconsiderate men too much encouraged by bad white men, who too often Frequent our nation under pretentions of doing us good Services and keeping peace Between us and our Elder Brothers the Americans: Have darkened our land with war, and Stained our White Chair of Fre[i]ndship with blood, but to our great Joy the Great Sperit above have removed the Cloud & Permits the Sun to Shine again in friendship upon Each party tho the darkness have lasted so long that Our Country and towns have been Spoiled, our Selves become Naked, and Suffer much with Hunger.
We now make Known to the great Congress of america, that Our desire and intention is to live in the most perfect & Strict Friendship and Alliance with our Elder brothers the americans: That we shall for ever listen to and abide by their instructions Advice and determination, placing the Strongest Confidence that the Great Council is composed of such, who have eyes of pitty and hearts of humanity and Compassion, that they will not devest us of our rights and possessions, which our ancient Fathers and predecessors have enjoyed time out of mind.
We still remember and abide by the treaty held with your Commissioners in south Carolina in the year l785. And tho our hunting grounds and towns north of tenesee and holeson rivers is sold unto white people for to Settle upon without our Consent, we still hope Congress will have mercy Upon us: For if our country is all taken from us we shall not be able to raise our children neither is there any place left for us to remove too.
We rejoice much to hear that the Great Congress have got new powers And have become Strong. we now Hope that whatever is done hereafter by the Great Council will no more be destroyed and made small by any State:
We shall always be ready to listen with open Ears And Willing hearts to you or any one Joined with you & to no other for protection, & regulating all matters.
We beg leave to Make it Known to your Great And beloved Council, that we have appointed & Constituted our beloved brother Bennit Balew, to be our Cheife And Representative, in And over all that part of the Cherokee Nation
Comprehending the towns lying on the aforesaid Rivers, highwassa, Telliquo, and ammoah, And all lying North and North West of Said rivers & Towns. that we have Given and Gra[n]ted into the said Benit Ballew full powers and Authorities to transact and Negociate all manner of things in any wise touching Appurtaining or relateing to the aforesaid towns and that part of our Nation, in our behalf and in our name and Stead [blotted out] in the same manner and form as tho We were personally present our selves in as full and Ample Manner to all intents and purposes and in testimony of which we have sent our great and beloved Warrior and Cheife, the Riseing Faun Sheenuhteetah or Great Highwassa to accompany our beloved Cheife and representative Bennit Ballew to Congress. then and there to Make known to your great beloved Council the truth and Sincereity of this our Instrument and writing touching the premisses, and to do whatever the said Bennit Ballew may think for the Good, Tranquility and safety of our nation Trusting that the Great Council and Elder brothers Will do us Justice, Quiet us in our possessions. particularly our lands lying north of the rivers Tenesee and Holeson, It is our hunting grounds and we Have no other to get our livings on
Done in Council at Chota the l9th day of May 1789. Signed and Acknowledged before us.
X HICKOGESKEE
X AUCOEE
X OKILLOLEE
X FOTACHAWEE
X AOWAYALLOW
X KEENERTITER
X CUNESUTTEHIE
X WOLSCONEE
X AMMOCHULOLOCA
X OHALUCA
X CHENOWEE
X TETARTELSEA
X CLAUNUSEE
X NONTONAKEY
X SAYOVOTA
X SQUOLLEEOTTE
X AMMODANESCA
X COOSATEHEE
X AIANOHALEE
X SUTONIKEI
X JOHN STEPHENS: h. Breed
X CULFUTTEHEE
X UTTANSOX CHEUCONESEE
Source: DePauw, l974, 185-187.
Facsimile Source: President's Messages on Indian Relations, Executive Proceedings, Senate Records, National Archives of the United States, 1B-C2, unpaginated.
(C) This document was produced at the request of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on July 18, 2019, to document the History, Anthropology, Culture, Religion, and Archaeology of The Chickamauga Nation.