Today in Chickamauga History - March 27
1787, March 27: Regarding Indian Affairs in the Southern Department - Thomson refers to a report from Joseph Martin, superintendent of Indian Affairs in the Southern Department, who reported great unrest among the Cherokees over the rapid encroachment of their lands by whites from the "state of Franklin." Suggests that Cherokees receiving encouragement from Choctaws, Chickasaws, Creeks and Spanish. - https://wardepartmentpapers.org/s/home/item/38603
1828, March 27: ARKANSAS TERRITORIAL PAPERS VOL XX – Page 633 – 634 – THE SECRETARY OF WAR TO THE ARKANSAS CHEROKEE DELEGATION - [NA:OIA, Lets. Sent, Bk. 4)
[March 27, 1828]
The Secretary of War has received and read attentively the letter of the Cherokee Deputation now in this City. It may suffice for the present to state, in reply that it is the full determination of the Executive to fulfil all the Treaty and other obligations to the Cherokees. Causes have hitherto existed in regard to the ascertainment of the quantity of lands ceded by the Cherokees in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, & Tennessee, which have prevented the Executive from giving to them a like quantity in Arkansa. -But the obligation is not considered as being impaired by the delay. The Faith of the United States as pledged to the Cherokees the Executive will maintain. The Secretary of War wishes the Delegation distinctly to understand this.
It is believed however that a new arrangement may be made as to boundaries, which shall not only embrace all the lands as to quantity which the Cherokees may have a right to, but essentially benefit themselves and their posterity; and at the same time, such an arrangement being agreed to, the other subjects submitted by the Deputation could be provided for. 87
With the view of ascertaining the disposition of the Cherokees on the subject of the foregoing suggestion, the Secretary desires to be informed if they have any objection to open a negotiation upon a basis which shall give them lands, for quantity, west of the Western boundary of Arkansa, that boundary being fixed to run forty miles east of its present location-in exchange for those to which they are now entitled, and which lie up and between the white and Arkansa rivers.
On receiving the answer to this suggestion the Secretary of War will if it be in the affirmative see the Delegation, and explain his objects more fully, and he trusts also to satisfy the Delegation that the proposition is one of a purely friendly kind and looks in its consequences to the present and future happiness and prosperity of the Cherokees. 88-
Department of War, 27 th March, 1828.
To Black Fox, Thoe Graves, Thoe Maw, Geo: Guess & Others Cherokee Delegation, from Arkansa, now at Williamson's Hotel Washington. '