USA > Georgia > Floyd County > Rome > A history of Rome and Floyd County, State of Georgia, United States of America; including numerous incidents of more than local interest, 1540-1922, Volume I > Part 5
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** Cherokee Agency East, Calhoun, Tenn., July 27, 1835.
Elbert Herring, Esq., . Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: The people composing the council called for the purpose of ob- taining the sense of the nation on the subject of the annuity convened on the day before the period appointed. There were between 2,500 and 2,600 Indian men present. This number could not by any previous measures or meetings have been anticipated. Mr. Schermer- horn was present and obtained their consent to address them on the next morning. The first day was consumed in discussions, explanations and vot- ing on a proposition to divide the an- nuity among the people by ayes and nays.
When the next morning arrived, Mr. Schermerhorn had a stand erected, so that he might by his elevation be the more generally heard; aided by the Rev. Jesse Bushyhead, he went into a full explanation of the views of the Gov- ernment, and the relation in which the different delegations stood to one another; their people, the States and the general Government; which was listened to with much attention for a period of three hours. In order to insure attention, this resolution had been so worded that it would not dis- pose of the question further than the single proposition was concerned; and by addressing them before the vote was finished, Mr. Schermerhorn had, perhaps, the largest red audience of adult males ever before assembled to- gather in this nation at one time.
The Cherokees had, until a few days before, been advised not to attend, but when Ross found that the money would be paid to the order of the majority
*Allowing for women and children. Georgia Guardsmen, United States troops, officials and onlookers, it is probable that 3,000 people at- tended this meeting. It was estimated that 600-800 attended the Red Clay Council in Oc- tober, 1835, and 300-500 the New Echota meet- ing in December, 1835, when the treaty was accepted.
** Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (1835), ps. 390-2.
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A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
attending, his head men were called together at Red Clay, when I am in- formed he told them the agents of Government, and the disorganized at- tached to Ridge, must be put down; and in order to do this, all the men of the nation must rally, and be there to sustain their nation and treasury.
They came, some starving, some half clad, some armed, and scarcely any with provisions for more than one or two days. Under these circumstances, having a desire to be heard, Mr. Schermerhorn promised them rations for one day, on condition they would hear him as commissioner. On exam- ination, I found they might, under the 9th section of the regulations for pay- ing annuities, be furnished at public expense, if circumstances rendered it necessary. Arrangements were accord- ingly made, and requisitions drawn on Lieut. Bateman to meet the same.
I took occasion to say to the Cher- okees, as they came up by districts, that let them vote the money in what way they would, it could not save their country; that their party had been in- vited to express their views and wishes freely; instead of doing this they had withdrawn themselves from the ground, and been counselled in the bushes. Why was this so? Were their chiefs still disposed to delude their people, when ruin demanded entrance at the red man's door, and the heavy hand of oppression already rested upon his head?
To say the least of it, there was something suspicious in their with- drawal. The officers of Government were bound to report their speeches to the Secretary of War, and the chiefs had shown contempt to the United States by withdrawing themselves and their people into the woods beyond their hearing. If this was not the proper construction to be placed upon such a proceeding, the chiefs had cer- tainly carried them off to feed their feelings on false hopes and false prom- ises once more.
When the resolution presented by Smith* was disposed of, which stood 114 for and 2,238 ** against, Gunter's resolution to pay to the Treasury was next in order. The whole people were called up and the resolution read. Mr. Gunter made a few remarks in its sup- port, when Major Ridge offered an amendment, directing that none of this money should be paid to lawyers. This was seconded by John Ridge, which gave both these latter gentlemen a full
opportunity to be heard. They went into a most pathetic description of na- tional distress and individual oppres- sion; the necessity of seeking freedom in another clime; the importance of union and harmony, and the beauties of peace and of friendship; but said if there were any who preferred to endure misery and wed themselves to slavery, as for them and their friends, they craved not such company.
The Indians had, by districts, in files four deep, been drawn up to vote on Gunter's resolution, that they might hear it read, and be counted the more conveniently. But when the Ridges were speaking, all the previous prej- udices so manifestly shown by looks appeared to die away, and the be- nighted foresters involuntarily broke the line and pressed forward as if at- tracted by the powers of magnetism to the stand, and when they could get no nearer, they reached their heads forward in anxiety to hear the truth. After the Ridges had procured the de- sired attention, they withdrew their amendment, and the vote was taken on Gunter's resolution, and carried by acclamation. Mr. Schermerhorn then requested each party to appoint com- mittees to meet him and Governor Car- roll *** at the agency on the 29th in- stant. Ridge's party complied. If the other party did, it has not been made known to the commissioner.
By the next mail we will be able to give information of a more sat- isfactory nature, having reference to the future.
I have no doubt, although the money went into the treasury of the nation, (as might have been expected from a general turnout), still, the informa- tion communicated in the discussions growing up on the occasion will be attended with the most happy conse-
*Archilla Smith, one of the leaders of the Ridge Treaty party. He is referred to in Gov. Wilson Lumpkin's book "Removal of the Cherokee Indians from Georgia" as Asahel R. Smith, of Lawrenceville, father of the well- known Roman, Maj. Chas. H. Smith ("Bill Arp"), but members of the "Bill Arp" family state this was an error. The Smith resolution sought to divide the annuity among the trihes- men.
** Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (1835), ps. 399-447, lists the voters, with their numbers, to a total of 2,273, but a printer's note states there are only 2,200 names, suggesting that duplications may have crept in. This list gives all who supported the Smith res- olution and 2,159 who voted against it, which would make a total of 2,270. The difference of three in two of the totals is the difference between the Currey estimate of 114 aye votes and the table's record of 111 votes.
*** Wm. Carroll, of Tennessee, co-commis- sioner with Mr. Schermerhorn, whom illness and a political campaign kept from acting.
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THE GREAT INDIAN MEETING AT ROME
1
TOHN ROSS, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Indians from 1828 to his death in 1866, who fought with admirable courage more than 25 years to keep his people in the hunting grounds of their forefathers.
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A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
quences to the Cherokees, and great- ly facilitate a final adjustment of their difficulties.
It is a matter worthy of remark that so great a number of persons of any color have seldom if ever met and preserved better order than was ob- served on this occasion.
Most respectfully, I have the honor to be, your very obedient servant,
BENJAMIN F. CURREY.
Supt. of Cherokee Removal and Act- ing Indian Agent.
P. S .- The report required by the regulations will follow this, so soon as it can be made out.
Yours,
B. F. C.
*Cherokee Agency East, Calhoun, Tenn., July 29, 1835.
Elbert Herring, Esq.,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C.
Sir : Enclosed I have the honor to transmit copies of a report made by Col. C. H. Nelson and Col. Nathaniel Smith, who were appointed in June last by me to take the census of the Cherokees east, in conformity with a verbal request from the Honorable Secretary of War, as well as to com- ply with the requirements contained in a "circular" dated War Depart- ment, Office Indian Affairs, May, 1835, addressed to me a short period before this duty was commenced. Runners were sent over the country, and some of Ross' messages were seen and read by the census-takers, direct- ing the Cherokees not to allow their numbers to be taken.
In 1819 John Ross notified the In- dian agent that he had determined to reside permanently on a tract of land reserved within the ceded territory for his use; and in contemplation of the treaty, took upon himself all the re- sponsibilities of a citizen of the United States. Has he not, then, subjected himself to the penalties of the 13th, 14th and 15th sections of "An Act to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes," etc., approved June 30, 1834?
One thing is very certain, that by sending his messages and holding his talks in the Cherokee settlements, he more effectually disturbs the peace, and defeats or delays the measures of the Government of the United States, than he could if he were the citizen of a
foreign Government, and much better than one of our own citizens possibly could do ?**
Very respectfully, I have the honor to be, your very obedient servant,
BENJ. F. CURREY.
Cherokee Agency East, Calhoun, Tenn., July 30, 1835.
Elbert Herring, Esq.,
Commissioner Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C.
Sir : Enclosed, I have the satisfac- tion to transmit to you a certified his- tory of the proceedings of the Run- ning Waters Council, held on the 19th, 20th and 21st instant, to determine how the annuity of the present year should be disposed of.
The names are recorded as the votes were presented on Smith's resolution. But all who were present did not vote on either side, and many of those who were in favor of dividing the money, finding that their wishes could not be carried, voted it to the treasurer. Some of the voters in favor of a treaty, having claims on the Cherokee nation, voted, and influenced many others to vote, in the same way; so that the vote on Smith's resolution can not, properly, be considered a fair test of the strength of the parties.
Ridge's party is increasing rapidly, and will, by raising the proper means, reach the majority of Georgia, Ala- bama and Tennessee, long before the adjournment of the next Congress.
Most respectfully, I have the honor to be, your very obedient servant,
BENJ. F. CURREY, Superintendent, etc.
P. S .- Ross has failed to meet the commissioners, for jesuitical reasons assigned. The commissioners address- ed him a communication which has produced a proposition in writing from him on the Ridges to bury the hatchet, and act in concert for the good of their country, and inviting them to a con- vention, to be composed of the intelli- gent of all parties, for the purpose of considering their natural condition. To this proposition Ridge's party have yielded their assent; but in the mean- time they are determined to redouble
*Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (1835), p. 392.
** Apparently the first open attempt to cause the arrest of Ross.
*** Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (1835), p. 395.
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THE GREAT INDIAN MEETING AT ROME
their zeal and diligence to accomplish the removal of their people.
BENJAMIN F. CURREY.
*Running Waters Council Ground, Floyd County, Ga.,
Monday, July 19, 1835.
At an adjourned meeting, held pur- suant to notice from the acting agent of the United States for the Chero- kees east of the Mississippi river, for the purpose of ascertaining from the Cherokee people their wishes as to the manner and to whom their present year's annuity should be paid, by com- mon consent it was agreed and re- solved that the meeting be opened with prayer, and the Rev. Mr. Spirit and David Weatie ** (Cherokees) officiated accordingly.
After the solemnities appropriate to the occasion were performed, Benj. F. Currey, United States Agent, aid- ed by Lieut. Bateman, of the United States army, fully explained the ob- ject for which this meeting was call- ed; all of which was again fully ex- plained, in the Cherokee language, by Joseph A. Foreman, the interpreter.
John Ross made some remarks in reply; said he was sorry that the agent had taken occasion to be per- sonal in his remarks, but that he was not disposed to take any notice of these personalities at this time; that he was aware that there was among us a description of persons who were called by party names; this he had not discouraged; that as for himself he was not disposed to quarrel with any man for an
honest expres- sion of opinion, for the good of the people (for the truth and sincerity of which he called Heaven to wit- ness) ; and that if gentlemen were honest in their professions of benev- olence, he was ready, at any time, to co-operate with them, when it would appear that they were right and he was wrong.
John Ridge, in reply, stated that so far as he was concerned he, too, discarded party views and sinister motives; that so far as he and those with him acted different from Mr.
Ross and his chiefs, he had done so from an honest conviction that it was the only way in which the integrity and political salvation of the Cher- okee people could be preserved and effected, and that he was at any mo- ment ready to acknowledge Ross as his principal chief when he (Ross) could or would prove to him a better plan. But till then, as an honest man, sensible as he was of the difficulties and hazards of the crisis that sur- rounded them all, he must act on the suggestions arising out of the case, though it should cost him the last drop that heaved his breast; that he had not understood the agent to in- dulge in or intend personalities, but his explanations, directed by the law and instructions from the executive, necessarily involved the actors them- selves; that he had and at all times would be open to conviction, when bet- ter and more conclusive arguments than his own were adduced on the points of difference. But he did not understand why it was, if Mr. Ross' declarations were sincere, that large bodies of Indians had been withdrawn by their chiefs from the ground, and were not permitted to hear. As for his part, he wanted the whole na- tion to learn, and be able to know their true situation; that he was ready to co-operate with Mr. Ross, or anybody else, for the salvation of his bleeding and oppressed countrymen.
The Rev. Mr. Schermerhorn, com- missioner on behalf of the United States, took occasion, after being in- troduced as such, to rise; read his commission and expressed his satis- faction and gratification at the pros- pect of an amicable reconciliation of all party strife and animosity, and so far as he might be concerned in their affairs, he did not intend to know any party or distinction of parties; that he only meant to know the Cherokee people east of the Mississippi as one party in this case; and that he would avail himself of the present occasion to request that during this meeting they would select from among them- selves a number of delegates, at least twelve or more, or any other number they might deem expedient, to meet him and Gov. Carroll at the Chero- kee agency on Wednesday, the 30th instant, to arrange preliminaries neces- sary to a convention for the adjust- ment of their whole difficulties by treaty; the basis of which had already been fixed by Ridge, Ross and others, which he presumed they were all ap-
*Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (1835), ps. 396-8.
** David Watie (or Oo-wat-ie), full-blood Cherokee and only brother of Major Ridge; father of Elias Boudinot, editor of The Cher- okee Phoenix, and of Stand Watie, only Indian Brigadier General of the Confederate army, who did not surrender until June 23, 1865, nearly three months after the surrender of Gen. Jos. E. Johnston. Authority : "Life of Gen. Stand Watie," by Mabel Washbourne Anderson, Pryor, Okla., (1915).
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A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
prized of; and suggested the impor- tance of naming Ross and Ridge first on said committee. The commissioner then apprized the conductors of the election that he would, with their con- sent, occupy their time on tomorrow morning, so far as to read over and fully explain the treaty to be offer- ed the Cherokee people for their ap- proval, which was consented to by the agents and the chiefs present; where- upon, Commissioner Schermerhorn re- tired.
The following resolution was then introduced by Archilla Smith and sec- onded by John Ridge:
"Resolved, by the council of the Cherokee nation, that in consideration of the poor condition of our people, the aged, the infirm of both sexes, men, women and children, that the present annuity of $6,666.67 be now divided equally to the people, and to the poor particularly, as it is their money, accruing from old treaties with the United States. It is now a great many years since they have received the same."
In support of this resolution, Major Ridge, John Ridge and Archilla Smith spoke at considerable length, to the fol- lowing purport: The people make a na- tion; no nation ever existed without a people. The annuity is payable to the nation, and Congress has given to the people full power to dispose of it as they may think proper. Have the peo- ple been benefited by the use made of the money heretofore, by their chiefs? Have those chiefs saved the country? Have they restored to you your fields? Have they saved your people from the gallows? Have they driven back the white settlers? No; but on the other hand, have you not lost your laws and government? Have you not been im- poverished and oppressed? And are you not bleeding and starving under these oppressions? If this be the fact, is it not time to take that which will give you some relief from want, rather than to vote it to those who can not, or, if they can, will not afford you relief ?
All that we insist on is that you ex- ercise your own choice in disposing of this money. It was in our power not long since, when but few attended at the call of the General Government, (last May council, held at Running Waters) to have done as we pleased with this money, but we would not condescend to take advantage of that absence which had been procured by
the other chiefs. We preferred to have a full meeting of the people, if practicable, and leave the question to the majority. At that time our ap- plication was made to this effect, and agreed to by the agent for the Gen- eral Government, which has been read to you by him, and interpreted by Mr. Foreman. It is the will of our peo- ple and not my will which it is now wished should control this money. While we make this declaration we wish the yeas and nays taken and registered, that all may have an op- portunity of understanding the res- olution; and that each and every one may vote as Cherokees should learn to vote, independently.
Edward Gunter then offered the following resolution :
"Resolved, That the present annuity now due to the Cherokee nation be paid to John Martin, treasurer of the Cherokee nation."
In support of this resolution he made the following remarks: That the nation was in debt; that their faith as a nation was pledged for money; that they had none wherewith to redeem that pledge; that they could not resort to taxation, for in that case the State laws would interfere. He hoped, therefore, they would vote the money to the national treasury.
At this time a general call for the vote from the crowd (consisting of up- wards of 2,000 Cherokees) was made.
The Government agents then opened the election to take the vote on Smith's resolution; those in favor, in the af- firmative, and those against, in the negative.
(Here is omitted list of Indians and how they voted .- Author).
The voting on Archilla Smith's res- olution being gone through, and on counting the state of the polls, it ap- pears that 114 voted in the affirma- tive, and 2,159* in the negative; and consequently, Smith's resolution was carried .**
Edward Gunter then called up his resolution. It was agreed by the agents of Government, as well as by the Cherokee people present, that the vote on this resolution be taken by ac- clamation. Before the vote was taken on Gunter's resolution, Major Ridge offered the following as an amend-
*. John Ross and his associates said 2,225; the voting table, 2,273.
** "Lost" was evidently intended for "car- ried."
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THE GREAT INDIAN MEETING AT ROME
ment of Gunter's resolution: "And that the treasurer of the nation pay the same to such persons of our nation as we owe for money borrowed, and not to the lawyers, which the nation has employed, who can be paid at some other time." In the discussion on this amendment, Major Ridge and John Ridge displayed their usual strain of eloquence, making a deep impression on a large portion of the crowd, if we take for evidence the rivetted at- tention and the press forward to catch the words that dropped from them, and more particularly that in the course of that evening and next morn- ing, the number who deserted from Ross's ranks and enrolled themselves with John Ridge and his friends for the western country.
During the course of their remarks they spoke of the false hopes excited and the delusive promises held out by their lawyers; the obligations they were under, first, to discharge debts contracted, for which a valuable con- sideration had been received by the people, and then afterwards and last, those which had been created without the hope of returning benefits. But discovering that the people had deter- mined to vote down their proposition, it was withdrawn.
After these individuals had spoken generally of the causes which induced them to secede from Ross and his party, and the necessity of an early removal of the tribe, the vote on Gunter's resolution was taken, and decided by acclamation in the affirm- ative.
Cherokee Agency East, July 30, 1835.
The foregoing is a correct state- ment, so far as my memory serves and my knowledge extends, founded upon a constant attention, conjointly with Benjamin F. Currey, Indian agent, to the proceedings of the meet- ing, as one of the managers.
M. W. BATEMAN, 1st Lieut., Inf., Disbursing Agent. Cherokee Agency East, July 30, 1835.
As Indian agent, under the direc- tions of the War Department, I su- perintended the foregoing election and proceedings, and do hereby certify that the election was as fairly conducted as the situation and circumstances of
*Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (1835), ps. 449-50.
the Cherokee tribe would admit of, and that the proceedings and speeches by the chiefs are substantially cor- rect, as detailed by D. Henderson, secretary to the meeting.
BENJAMIN F. CURREY, Indian Agent for the Eastern Cher- okees.
Cherokee Agency East, July 30, 1835.
I certify upon honor that in the foregoing transcript, detailing the pro- ceedings at the council called and held at Running Waters council ground, Floyd County, Ga., on the 19th, 20th and 21st instant, the votes are cor- rectly recorded and the speeches cor- rectly detailed as to substance.
DANIEL HENDERSON, Clerk for Managers of the Said Elec- tion.
The enclosures of Maj. Currey to the Commissioner of Indian Af- fairs end here. To Washington Mr. Schermerhorn wrote:
'Cherokee Agency, Aug. 1, 1835.
Hon. Elbert Herring,
Commissioner Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C.
Sir : I have the honor to inform you that I attended the meeting of the Cherokee council at Running Wa- ters on the 20th ultimo, and my pro- ceedings there I will transmit to you by the next mail. At the close of that council I requested a committee of the principal men from the Ross and Ridge parties to meet the com- missioners at the Agency on the 29th ultimo, to see if they could, in con- ference with each other, agree upon some modification of the proposed treaty which would be satisfactory to all concerned. Ross and his friends did not attend, and the commission- ers wrote him immediately to know whether he and his principal men refused to meet them at the place appointed, and also whether they were determined not to accept the award of the Senate, viz .: $5,000,000 in full for the settlement of all matters in dispute between them and the United States, and for the cession of their country. He evaded the last question (as will be seen by his letter, a copy of which will be forwarded to the de- partment), and prevaricated in say- ing that no notice was given of the meeting at the agency, although it was done in open council. He may, how-
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A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
: 72
WHERE THE GREEN CORN DANCES WERE HELD.
"The Chieftain's," on the Oostanaula river road, two miles north of the court house, was the home of Major Ridge, and his lawn was the gathering place of hundreds of red-skin braves and their squaws and sweethearts. His ferry connected with the Alabama road, then an Indian trail. Nearby was George M. Lavender's trading post. Early owners included A. N. Verdery, Ferdinan DeBray de Longchamp and Emil de Longchamp, Judge Augustus R. Wright and F. M. Jeffries.
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