[Letter] 1839 Sept. 25, Washington City, D.C. [to] Gideon F. Morris [and] Cherokee friends on Valley River and Cheoih [i.e., Cheoah] / W[illiam] H[olland] T[homas]

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Washington City DC
September 25, 1835
To Gideon F Morris & Cherokee friends on valley river & Cheoih
I have been detained here much longer than I anticipated, but I have no reason to regret it and am in hopes you will have none that I [unclear text: done ] so, It required a considerable length of of [of] time to make out all your claims, for property sold improvements spoliations, commutation for removal and subsistence and percapita [per capita], all of which I have made out and exhibited to the Department, and have procured a favrable [favorable] decision on all except the claims for commutation, which the Commissioner reported against the payment of a few days since, But he has since argued to allow me the the [the] privlige [privilege] of filing additional evidence in support of the claims and to give it a reconsideration
Notwithstanding he is of opinion none who do not intend to remove are entitled to commutation for removal and subsistence he is nevertheless willing to allow all such as do remove that allowance but thinks a longer time than this fall ought not to be given to make their choice (But not withstanding all that I have no fears of that claim)
Should the Commissioner of Indian Affairs on a reconsideration of that claim for commutation of removal and subsistence again decide against it. I will then take an appeal to the Hon [Honorable] J [Joel] R Poinsett secretary of War who is no [now] absent but will return by the first of next month, but if the Commissioner decided in its favor I will start home immediately afterwards


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It is probable the money due the full blooded Cherokees the Department may require placed on interest for their benifit [benefit], It is also probable payment will be delayed until those Cherokees who emigrated last fall have been subsisted the length of time promised under the treaty after their arrival in the Cherokee country west, previous to that time it is thought that the percapita can not [per capita cannot] be ascertained
If any of your people have come to reside with you whose names were not on the powers of attorney I made out, and who wish to remain east have a power of attorney made out for them after the manner of these I made out for you only instead of one justice of the peace have it acknowledged by two, and let them certify that these signing desire of their own choice to remain east. and also let them certify as to the number of such family signings (then have it certified by the Clerk and Chairman of the County Court)
And should any of your people of their own choice desire to emigrate this fall have a list made out of their names and number in each of their families which with the above power of attorney have enclosed to me at this place by mail marked on the back of the letter list of Cherokees. In case I leave before it arrives I will get the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to have it attended to. the Interpreter in both cases will be sworn by the justices to speak the intentions of the Cherokee to remove or remain which will also be certified by those Justices. But let the interpreter inform them at the same time if they make it their choice to remove and have their names entered on the list of those desiring to go they must prepare to do so for on the Commissioner reviewing that list will be transfered [transferred] [unclear text: west ] . The reason of my wishing this attended to is in consequence of a report having reached here from georgia that all of you desired to remove west this fall which if untrue ought immediately to be contradicted,


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In conclusion, keep sober. be industrious honest and peacible [peaceable] I am in hopes I shall see you in a short time

your friend
[Signed] WHT [William Holland Thomas] --

(written since the time the letter was finished)
NB John Ross and others have written [unclear text: on ] here requesting that no payments [unclear text: be ] made under the treaty until they can arrange matters among themselves no doubt the intention is to try to make arrangements to [illegible text] all the money due under the treaty into the hands of the treasurer of the nation where it will be convenient to [illegible text] at by the Chiefs who have already pocketed two or three hundred thousand dollars of the last appropriations made for the Cherokees but in this he will be mistaken so far as those east for whom I act are concerned, and while the Cherokees west are squabbling for power I will try to [illegible text] for your rights. I presume you have been informed of the murder of Maj Ridge, John Ridge, & Boudinott by the Ross party, and the last accounts John Ross was guarded by about 500 Cherokees to prevent his being killed by the friends of the Ridges. The friends of Ridge and the Old Settlers are united on one side Ross party on the other side about equal in numbers, how this will terminate is uncertain. the Agent and troops are doing all they can to prevent the effusion of blood but with but little prospects of success

As I return I will call and see the treasurer of the state of North Carolina in relation to such of you as are indebted to the state for lands and will try to make the necessary arrangements respecting the same so that [deleted text: the ] indulgence on the bonds due may be given until your claims are paid by the united states

[Signed] WHT [William Holland Thomas] --